How to Wrap a Drum Shell Part 1

How to Wrap a Drum Shell

Using a wrap to finish your drum is a great way to get an outstanding finish in very little time. If you are wrapping multiple drums you should find out if your wrap supplier has specific configurations already cut to size for your drums, if not you’ll need to calculate how much wrap you will actually need to buy to be able to cover all your drums. If you are unsure of how to do this, just ask your supplier to help you figure it out. First, you will need to cut your wrap to size. An easy way to do this is to wrap it around your drum shell and mark the edge of the shell all the way around. This shows how to wrap a bass drum. If your wrapping a smaller shell follow the directions below as follows, but you’ll just end up with one seam.

Step by Step Instructions for Wrapping a Drum

(Some wrap manufacturers don’t make wrap to go all the way around large drums, so you’ll end up having to use 2 pieces for larger drums – mark your cut line around the top of the shell)

(What your 2^nd piece of wrap for larger drums will look like, this will go on the bottom of a 22” kick)

Cutting Your Drum Wrap to Size

You may use a sharp pair of scissors to cut the wrap. Sparkles are a little easier to cut than glass glitter wraps. Plan on sharpening your scissors frequently if you need to cut a lot of wrap. After you cut your wrap to the length of your shell, you’ll need to cut it down to the diameter of your shell. An easy way to do this is to use a flexible measuring tape (for sewing) to measure all the way around the shell and add an extra inch for overlap. Now lay the wrap down flat and measure out that distance and use a straight edge to mark your next cut.

Now lay your wrap down flat on the ground and mark the center of the wrap on a piece of tape.

Where does the wrap overlap go?

Now you need to do a test fit with your wrap. The age-old question has always been “Where should the seam go?” Most drum companies do this: Toms; under a lug, kick; on the bottom where it can’t be seen, Snare; under the strainer to hide it. You will want no less than 1” of overlap for your seam. To make sure you line up your seam when gluing you’ll need to get your test fit wrapped around the drum as tight as possible, with your seam lined up in your designated area, and then transfer the center mark on your wrap to the edge of the shell. Also, mark each end of your wrap where the overlap is on the shell. To achieve maximum adhesion you’ll need to scuff/rough up the shell and the back side of the wrap. The best way to do this is to use 80 grit sandpaper and sand the entire surface of the drum and the back of the wrap (don’t sand through your wrap). You’ll also need to peel back the protective plastic on the front of the wrap where your seam will be, measure your 1-inch seam and tape off the area you don’t want to scuff up or get glue on, and sand this down as well.

(You can even lightly score the seam with a razor blade)

Continue to How to Wrap a Drum Shell Part 2