Refinishing my new conga - my first conga and first post :)

[bobr]

Hi guys,
at first i'd like to say, that i really appreciate the community here, it's really great!
Well I finally bought my first congas - 15 years old used LP Classics. I was little bit disapointed, because I didn't see them before (my good friend recommended me those) and they were in quite bad shape (damaged finishing, cracks badly fixed, rusty hardware), but still it was a good deal. I have experience with drum (west african) assembling so I decided to improve them a bit

I can describe the procedure of refinishing for those who interested - I learned it from drums manufacturer here in Czech Republic couple of years ago.
I don't like synthetic finishings, instead I use shellac, bees wax and karite.

1) Original look:


2) Brushed congas:


3) Painted with shellac: Shellac is a natural polymer and is chemically similar to synthetic polymers, thus it is considered a natural plastic. See shellac on wikipedia. Shellac is dissolved in denatured alcohol and then I made few layers of paint (depend on how dark you want them).


4) Layer of bees wax: I use heat gun and towel to spread it.


5) I grease it with Karite - pure Shea butter from Guinee, West Africa. Karite is the best lotion for hands I know and works great for wood also!! see wikipedia

6) And that's it:
Estimated time spent: 15 hours.


This last photo isn't so nice, the sun was already down, in real they look much better.
Hope you like it, give me some feedback!!

Bobr



Edited By bobr on 1176070172

[GuruPimpi]

Bobr!

Dobro - good!!! (dobzhe?)

I like the colour, I find it very natural and unique! I would call it an Orange Classic!
No artificial lacquer needed, pure natural refinish of congas? Seems very ecological!

Those are REMO heads? How do you find them on your classics?

Primoz

[GuruPimpi]

Oh, and Bobr!

Welcome to this forum! It's a great thing and you'll soon get addicted from it!

Dobrodosel!


Primoz

[bobr]

I like the colour, I find it very natural and unique! I would call it an Orange Classic!
No artificial lacquer needed, pure natural refinish of congas? Seems very ecological!

Those are REMO heads? How do you find them on your classics?

Yeah, the color is great and the whole procedure is 100% natural - it even smells wonderfully (wax's smell is sweet and karite reminds me of Africa )

Yes, it's Fiber Skyn from Remo, it came with congas, but I don't like it much

I already ordered new natural skins from my friend in Germany, hope they come soon!

Dobro dosli!

[GuruPimpi]

Waw!

Nice to know for more ways of refinishing congas!

You don't like REMO? ;D I like them on my fiberglass congas, but I haven't had a chance to play it on a wooden congas... I'll change it and try it!

Keep up the good work!

Primoz

[deadhead]

Very nice work bobr!! I have a friend with a set of Valjes that look just like that, beautiful color!