Pan Finish

by Steve LoBue
(Santa Cruz Ca.)

I've been restoring some old baritone 1/2 Drums. They have gotten rusty. I used steel wool and wire brush, and Phospheric acid to disolve the rust. the next day,there was phosphoric white oxidation. I thought I'd use the power tools to wire brush the pans. I did this and they looked and sounded pretty good. I didn't want to deaden the tone, and am not sure of the best paint to use for tone quality. I thought I'd just try oiling the pans to keep off rust. I tried Watco danish wood oil on one. And Lemon oil on the other.
This oil deadened the tone. can you recomend a good oil finish,and paint finish. also I'm wondering about a good rust acid for pans.
Thank you
Steve LoBue
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Hi Steve,

Usually automobile paint or regular spray paint from the cans are used to paint steel pans (steel drums). Traditional oil paint (that is used on walls) will be too thick and will take longer to dry.

For best results apply a thin and even layer of paint over the entire pan, even on the notes! A thin layer of the recommended spray paint should not deaden the notes. Most pan makers I know use non-glossy silver or colorless spray paint for the notes and automobile paint (any color) for the skirt (sides) of the pans. I've played pans with this kind of finish and they sound great!

Regarding the rust removal, my pan tuner friends recommend a rust remover called 'Wonder 900'. I'm sure there are similar products which can remove the rust just as effectively, but they are familiar with the 'Wonder' brand

Another option is to have the pans powder coated.

Good luck with your refurbishing!



Gaye