DIY Network

I have a drum set and the maple shells have 5 coats of semi gloss tung oil on them right now. I want to put something on them, (something fairly easy to work with as well) that will bring the wood to a high gloss.

I was thinking more tung oil but in the high gloss form instead, good idea?
or will it take forever since its a 1 coat/day application?


These shells have some wires and electrical connections on them mounted on the inside that cant be removed, I can take off the hardware on the outside of the shells though and so I only plan to finish the outsides.

any ideas on what to put on the wood shells?

David S,
Waterlox makes a high gloss tung oil based finish that will leaves a really nice gloss finished look without that built up or under glass look. To use it remove all the hardware, burnish the surface with 0000, wipe away the debris with a lint free cloth slightly dampened with the finish and apply the Waterlox the same as any other tung oil finish. Two coats should be enough to give you the look you want, but the more you put on the higher the gloss.

Another option that is the way most high end instruments are finished would be to use lacquer (if you prefer that more built up or under glass look). To apply this after you remove all the hardware seal off the inside so no lacquer can spray into it accidentally, and spray on a couple of coats. The good part about lacquer is it dries pretty quick so you can apply several coats in a day and it usually doesn't require sanding between coats because the new coats of lacquer basically melt into the ones beneath it. Also I know they sell brush on lacquers, but I've never used them so I don't know how well they last or easy they are to apply (maybe others who have used them will comment on them).

Either of these methods will work and both are extremely durable, so it just depends on which you prefer and feel more comfortable doing.

But this is just my opinion, I hope it helps.