DRUMANDSTAGE FORUM

Anyone have some tips for cleaning and preserving the finish on a set of Oak Phonics?

I just acquired a 4 pc Oak Phonic kit (thanks Mike!) and want to get a jump start on the deep clean, but I have *no* idea what to use (and what to absolutely NOT use) on the oak veneer.

Any recommendations on what I should (and shouldn't) use to clean and condition those shells?

Scott, I am not going to have a definitive answer on this, but is there built up grime, or is the veneer parched? I am trying to remember what I used on my Signatures. It will click, eventually. I looked online, maybe I need to go stare at the shelves at Lowe's.

From the current Sonor website

Jules wrote: Sat May 24, 2025 9:10 pm Scott, I am not going to have a definitive answer on this, but is there built up grime, or is the veneer parched? I am trying to remember what I used on my Signatures. It will click, eventually. I looked online, maybe I need to go stare at the shelves at Lowe's.

Not so much any "built up grime", but just wanting to give them an overall thorough cleaning and ensure that the finish doesn't get to that "parched" state. I've seen what happens when they get to that stage...

It's definitely more on the side of a player's kit vs a museum piece, but I'd still like to make sure everything is clean, functional, and well maintained while I'm it's steward.

Frank Godiva wrote: Sat May 24, 2025 11:51 pm From the current Sonor website

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Frank, that would definitely apply to my SQ2's with the Rosewood Semigloss finish. I'm not sure if it's the same for the oak finish on the phonics, as the surface feels much more "wood"-like to me than my SQ2's do - i.e. not a semigloss clear coat over the veneer...

In my experience, the semi-gloss in SQ2 is not glossy at all, it feels very smooth to your fingers, but not glossy at all. You can't really tell that it has been treated at all (and I am not saying that in a negative way). Owing a set of phonic rosewood and performer mahogany, as well as an oak veneer in the past, the feeling on the veneer is the same (80s and SQ2). Of course, I doubt that SONOR uses the same varnish today, as the formulas have changed.
In any case, I have the impression that SONOR, like any other manufacturer, is very cautious on providing treatment instructions on their products, to avoid any warranty claimes (especially regarding the hardware parts). Having these in mind, what SONOR is suggesting is a good starting point.
What I do and it has worked for me
1. remove dust with a soft towel
2. use slightly damp towel in warm water with some soap specialised for wood parket
3. wipe the moisture
-depending on the condition of the wood, you can either leave it as it is, or continue with the next steps (which require experience, judgment, and risk appetite...). These treatments are for player's condition drums with lots of damage, scratches, disccoloring, mixed shells that do not match etc etc
4. use a liquid which is used for furniture renovation (it has the properties of giving life to the wood color and making light scratches not visible)
and / or
5. use a water based semi-gloss colorless lacquer (for furniture)
and / or
6. if the wood is in really bad shape consider some very light sanding and use a semi-gloss lacquer product with color
always use materials intended for furniture and prefer the expensive ones.

I wouldn't use any kind of oils for the exterior veneer. Although others swear by this method.

Good luck
Chris / DrumsDrumz

OK, had a chance to do a much closer inspection them this morning - seems in my "new drums" excitement my initial impression of the finish was off. In looking more closely at all the drums, they definitely seem to have the same semigloss that my SQ2's do, it's just more subtle due to the paler color of the oak vs the rosewood.

So that one's definitely on me.