congaplace.com

Posted: **Fri Apr 06, 2007 4:44 am**

I finally registered and quit lurking...
anyways I mostly play bongos here in SF,
but have been adding congos..mostly thru super deals from craigslist..

which brings me to my question, I just bought a fiberglass LP Conga,
an older one which says Palisades, New Jersey on the badge with traditional
rims...

It has some scratches, and one "dent" where it looks like it was dropped on
a tuning lug, and the fiberglass is pushed in about 1/2".
It still plays fine,
but as I am pretty handy with fiberglass and sandpaper, I was
wondering if it was possible to restore this drum, and if anyone could
offer some advice on how to do it?

or is it even worth it, and I should just use it as
my "learner"?

You can see the dent on the lug on the far right side, see how
the side is warped and the lug at an angle..

Edited By bongosnotbombs on 1175872969

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... gsGGAQ.jpg

Posted: **Fri Apr 06, 2007 11:52 am**

Welcome bongosnot,

The restoration pros here will give you great advice. Just wanted to say I've probably got the same tumba-- a palisades glass LP from the mid-70's, and am still using it--albeit with a mule head--in my 3 drum setup. If you post a picture or two, you'll get precise and professional advice and counsel here. .

Posted: **Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:33 pm**

Yes, definitely fixable. Push the dent back out from the inside and apply a new patch of
fiberglass. Smooth out the outside. take off all the hardware, clean it and leave it off till the very end.
You can even order new hardware, because it's basically the same, but keep the traditional rim.
I had a similar old LP with a 12" head and only 29" tall.. I took off everything and taped up the metal band.
I then sprayed several coats of car paint, and polished it. That was 11 years ago. I use
a medium/thick mule head on it. It s my drum of choice for gigs where there will only be
room for one conga - it can do the job nicely. I'm still lookong for a matching Tumba.

~ ISAAC

Posted: **Fri Apr 06, 2007 3:21 pm**

Isaac,
Thanks for the advice! I was wondering if it
would be flexible enough to push it out from the inside,
the hardware iis pretty good, only a few brown spots on
a lug or two...

As far as the fiberglass coat goes, should I use resin and cloth?
or just a coat of resin?

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New member with a restoration question