Using India Ink to Paint Drums Jet Black.

By John Dutra | December 29, 2008



Ebonizing your drum shells isn’t as easy it seams. Using aniline dyes

or Transtint dyes to get that Knight Rider black is do-able, but not as efficient as other options.

One option to check out is Dick Blick Waterproof India Ink . The ink is a finely ground pigment that’s available as a fast drying waterborne liquid ($8.19 for a pint).

As you’ve seen in the black stain chapter of the Guerrilla Drum Making DVD, raise the grain before applying the ink (as with any waterborne finishes). Once dry, the ink is compatible under any finish type.

Good Luck.
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Topics: Drum Finishes

Less is More: Simple Explanations of Some Confusing Drum Finishing Terms.

By John Dutra | November 13, 2008

For all you hungry drum makers who want some clear definitions of some EXTREMELY BROAD terms… than today is your day. For more detailed explanations of some of these terms, check an older post written by R.J. Neelans called Custom Drum Finishes: Finish Types, Descriptions, and Drum Finishing Tips.

Terms:
*Tung Oil – A natural oil extracted from the seeds of the Chinese Tung Tree.
*Tack Cloth – A cloth saturated with a diluted finish to enable it to pick up dust and dirt
*Solvent - Any liquid used to dissolve other substances. Most common are H20, mineral spirits, denatured alcohol, acetone, etc.

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Topics: Drum Finishes