How to Polish Scratches Out of Acrylic Drums

Even normal use can lead to drum scratches.

With their large size and high visibility, drum kits can make a visual statement as loud as their sound. Drummers can decorate their drums with colorful "wraps" or mix and match various colors of wood and plastic finishes. These finishes can become damaged with normal use, especially when collapsing and re-assembling drum kits for live performance. When your acrylic drums become scratched, you can remove the scratches with some polishing supplies and a simple technique.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic cleaner
• 100% cotton terry cloth towels
• Machine glaze
• Plastic polish

Instructions

1. Apply a plastic cleaner to the scratched surface of an acrylic drum.

2. Spread the plastic cleaner around with a 100% cotton terry cloth towel. Wipe away any excess cleaner.

3. Apply machine gel to the scratched surface of the drum and rub it in with a circular motion using another 100% cotton terry cloth towel. Machine gel has particulate matter in its solution that will gently abrade the scratches. Wipe away any excess machine gel.

4. Apply plastic polish with another 100% cotton terry cloth towel. Rub the polish into the surface thoroughly and wipe away any excess polish before it dries.

References

• Vintage Drum Center: Restoration Tips
• Meguiar's: PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner & Polish
• Meguiar's: Machine Glaze