LP VINTAGE FIBERGLASS CONGA RECONSTRUCTION REPAIR

[bongosnotbombs]

You can thicken epoxy resin with cab-o-sil to make a filler that you can build up an edge with.Your drum looks like it will need lots of work.I agree that it looks melted.

Thanks for the input...

Can someone please tell me if fiberglass distorts in shape if subjected to heat/Fire???

Steven

It does, a quick google provides all the answers.

[congalou]

Hello guys,

I have work resin and build a fiberglass shell conga (pink), some of members will remember.

Photos of the realisation on www.myspace.com/congalou : plaster, mold, etc...

I have seen some old patato distort. I'm not an expert but I think that the resin can show signs of age and become limp. If they are too thin, fiberglass shells can be not very durable. Not necessary because of fire or heat.

The questions I ask to myself are : is it because of the old resin used in 70's ? maybe actually resin are more durable.

Is it because the drum was stock with dampness, frost, or maybe with too much dry ? (because, I haven't seen fiber boat with this kind of problem on the solicited places.....)

As I said, I'm not an expert, but I was wondering during a long time why the Big manufacturer as LP, Meinl, made very thick shells (with maybe some steel piece inside... or another piece of resin more heavy, who know ?) I'm shure now it's for avoid this kind of problem.

Nothing is impossible.... but I think that this repair will be very very hard to do and very expensive... maybe the price of 3 new drums !!!

If you try something, let us know !

Cheers,
Galou.

[thomas newton]

Very hard to believe that this repair could be worth the work and expense. You might learn a few things about fiberglass but that's going to be expensive education. To me, a non-expert, those lugs plates look beyond repair. The layers must have separated around them - unless i have completely misunderstood the nature of the material.

Even if you can patch it and pretty it up you won't know how it sounds till you've spent your time and money.

[RitmoBoricua]

Can someone please tell me if fiberglass distorts in shape if subjected to heat/Fire???
Steven[/quote]

Hello. Years ago I left (2) fiberglass conga drums inside my car in Puerto Rico. I mean it was hot and it did distort the fiberglass big time. No doubt high heat distorted my drums big time. My drums were thin fiberglass too. I had an expert repaired them but they never look quite the same but they were playable. I hope this helps.

[Gallichio]

The first thought I have after seeing the photos is they must have been in a fire. I don't think you could do that kind of damage to a drum just with a tight head and not de-tuneding it. I would think the only way to fix it is with new fiberglass, sanding and reshaping it. I found this photo and it shows a Corvette on fire and it looks like it melted and distorted the body that is also made of fiberglass. I have heard fiberglass will melt.
Good luck and I hope you can save it.

[OLSONGO]

It can be repaired, especially with this 2 part epoxy resin that I have talked about ... I will get the exact name and post it. I have used it with excellent results, it was recommended to me by a friend who does auto body repair. In this case I would sand as much off the edge and shape to match the other drums thickness, have a metal hoop made to fit on top of the edge, to make up for the lost edge and bring up to exact measurement.... then cover with the epoxy resin, using a tape mold, let it get hard 24 hrs ...sand and paint.
On the area of the plates , build it up with with the epoxy and sand flush, drill the screw holes and paint.

Paz
Olsongo

[doctor bloor]

I agree that this looks like heat damage rather than a pure stress issue--wouldn't fiberglass at a stable temperature crack rather than warp if overstressed? Maybe it was left in the trunk of that Corvette...

I think Thomas is right on this one. I don't know a lot about fiberglass repair, but I know a little of physics, and the problem is that even a repaired drum that is sturdy and looks good cosmetically is going to have very different structural qualities than it had as new. It could sing like an angel, but it's an iffy proposition and will cost some healthy $ to find out.

[Isaac]

Hi Steve,
I had the exact situation with some old NJ made LPs.
Mine weigh a ton compared to the new ones.

I agree with Olsongo's repair plan.
I have a similar set with the LP tumba in great shape.
That's because tumbas don't require the same amount of stress
& tuning tension. The fact that your tumba is OK, tells me the conga, like mine
was owned by someone who abused it - not a fire or anything catastrophic.
The previous owner of mine ( a hard working NY Salsa/Merengue band in
NYC) admitted that his band kept tightening the skin,
and not once EVER! did they detune since it was new. This constant tension
( a form of conga torture in my opinion ) eventually causes the steel to overpower
the structturally weaker fiberglass - and caused it to literally
CAVE IN.
I did the fiberglass repair, working outdoors because of the toxic fumes,
with a lot of filing, sanding,
and reapplying several fiberglass in thin layers. You have to work gradually.
I was about 90% done after a few weeks but had to stop and put a new head on
and get to a gig. As soon as the weather's warm next spring, I'll take it outside
and do a few more layers to finish it. It takes a lot of patience.

If you have a good reliable boat or autobody repair person
and it's not too pricey, you could end up with a whole new instrument.
You'll also have to paint them, so some new color options open up.
I used auto paint.

ISAAC

[SalseroBoricua71]

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[SalseroBoricua71]

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[Thebreeze]

You might not want to hear what I am about to say but here goes......

First of all, the only real fiberglass expert I see on this thread is congalou. We all saw the beautiful fiberglass drum he made from scratch. All other opinions as positive as they sound are just not founded on sensible, realistic info. This is what they call " tough love" . Get rid of that thing. Take off the hardware and dump that shell. The sooner the better. Believe me, in the end you are going to have nothing but regrets. I would read congalou's advice again and take it. Sorry if this comes on strong, but Bro, you have to reason this thing out sensibly. I bet you most of the people that have given you some positive advice would throw that drum away quicker than a wink of the eye.

Will.

[OLSONGO]

Thebreeze... sorry to bust your bubble, The problem that Salsero has is easy and lets stop the melodrama.
Salsero if you would like I can take you step by step... you will have that drum fixed in no time y rumbiando como loco.

Paz
Olsongo

[SalseroBoricua71]

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[SalseroBoricua71]

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[Thebreeze]

There is no Melodrama from me, only realistic talking. And yes, congalou said he is no expert, but are you in the same league with him? is olsongo? so you see that he is the expert among us. I tell you what, Please promise to all of us on the forum that you will post pictures of the finished product, along with details of time spent, money spent, etc. because I don't believe that you are going to be satisfied with the end result, and I dont think that the drum is going to be any where near the original structural strenght of when it was new. I am sorry if I sound negative, I don't mean to, but I am a realistic person when it comes to projects and I mean no disrespect to you or anybody else. But now, I really hope that you take on the project and share your end results with us. I promise I wont say " I told you so"

Will.