CLEANING CYMBALS

[DrumBum213]

I've never boughten cymbol polish and i was just wondering what's the best polish to get and if there's and specail technique to use when polishing it. Thanks.

Each cymbal manufacturer has their own brand of polishes which i would assume works well with their finishes, but who knows. I used Groove Juice which is a cleaner spray and it took off the Sabian logo on most of my cymbals. The more I think about it I realize that I don't like that product at all!! I recommend purchasing the cymbal companies polish.

[GPinney]

In my opinon, Paste makes the best cymbal polish. It took of all the dirt and made it look like new. Other cymbal polish doesnt work as well and it takes of the cymbal logo. I would deffenetly go for the Paste Cymbal Polish.

As long as you don't miss logos. Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner and Fine Grit Steal Wool. Then wash the cymbal completely with soap and water. Like new. And much cheaper. I actually have used this for years and learned it from my Dad who restores Player Pianoes, Organs, and Juke boxes. thus cleaning brass fittings.

I don't clean at all now. I like dirty cymbals personally.

[Pedro]

Ok, use the brands cymbal cleaner for you cymbals. But if your cymbals aren't from a brand and are just custom?

[somedrummer]

I use Zildjian cymbal cleaner on my Zildjians and it takes off the logos, but I got over that. I also dont really mind somewhat dirty cymbals. My brother actually enjoys cleaning cymbals, but i wont do it unless i have to. I've heard of many different ways of cleaning cymbals. I know several people have reccomended Zims cymbal cleaner.

Here are 2 other methods I've heard of: (note: I dont recall weteher on not there were downsides to either of these methods)

1. Brasso (available at a local hardware shop) Apply it with a plastic bag so as not to waste any in a towel. Then let it dry completely before wiping it off with a dry towel.

2. Barkeeper's Friend (aka. BKF) (also from a hardware shop) Sprinkle powder on dry then rub it around the grooves of the cymbal with a damp rag. Then rinse it with HOT water, let it drip for 15 seconds and then dry it immediately.

I havent personally seen these used on cymbals, I just got the ideas from another message board, but I have seen BKF work on other surfaces and it does a great job.

Good luck,

Rob

Brasso - Not so good. Takes a TON of elbow grease.

Bar keeps Friend - OK, but not so hot and leaves film at times.

Clean Cream - Elbow Grease.

Lysol toilet bowl cleaner- Gets even green corrosion out with some work. It is a mild acid so you MUST wash it off asfter done or it will age your cymbal. So, if you are like me and love dark cymbals let lysol sit on cymbals for a week or so. Corrosion city and darkness to the max. Not recommended if you might change your mind. I will post a picture of a HHX prototype I got from sabian that I did this too. Very nice results.

[DrumBum213]

Yea well i have mostly Zild. and some paiste. However, i have 3 zild cymbols that are vintage (about 45 years old) and im thinking ill just leave them dirty,

[Rudy McRudster]

I use a spray cleaner called "Zims" and it actually works quite nicely. Of course, the spray mechanism broke which pisses me off but other than that it wasn't bad.

[Colin]

I use Bar Keeper's Friend and Steel Wool. It works just fine, although they will take some of the logo off, I rarely clean my cymbals though.

[Freddie Freeloader]

i just tried this a few weeks ago.... take a lemon, cut it in half, and then squeeze it and rub it around the cymbal.
then take a damp cloth and wipe the cymbal properly.... worked really well, didn't take my logos off.....
make sure to wipe the cymbal properly though....

[Anth]

Originally Posted by Freddie Freeloader

i just tried this a few weeks ago.... take a lemon, cut it in half, and then squeeze it and rub it around the cymbal.
then take a damp cloth and wipe the cymbal properly.... worked really well, didn't take my logos off.....
make sure to wipe the cymbal properly though....

Wow! Never tried that one. You da' man! LOL

[DrumBum213]

Lol pretty clever man.

[G-money]

Hi, i recently bought a very old ping ride. It has patina all over very thick. I looked closely and appeared to have small rusty dots too. This thing is FILTHY.

I don't mind a little patina, but this is rediculous. What can i do to clean it off? I've taken some of the "green" off with a common brass cleaner, but it's still brown and rusty looking. I haven't tried brasso or the BKF yet. Would those work or even the lemon?

Thanks!

[largo61]

I desperately need to clean my cymbals. I love the sound of a freshly pollished cymbal. I know a lot of people like the sound of a unclean cymbal, I prefur the clean sound. I have heard that some polish might take off a brilliant finish. Is that true. And if it is what type of cleaner wont take off a brilliant finish. I have found that a Mr. Clean magic eraser works with normal finish but it doesn't work with my Sabian AAX cymbals. Any advice.

[Rudy McRudster]

Zim's is the most powerful stuff out there and it won't take off brilliant finishes (I don't know if there really is one). It's blown pretty much anything else I've tried clean out of the water, pun intended, and it comes in fairly large bottles comparatively priced to other brands' smaller bottles.
There are a couple disadvantages, though. FIrst off, it's incredibly potent and dangerous, it has a lot of organic detergants in it and it'll do some damage if you don't handle it properly. Second is that it will take off logos, so if you want to keep them on, don't get Zim's. And also, the spray mechanism is really weak so I have a half of a bottle that I have to pour on because it broke and trust me, it doesn't work as well.

All-in-all, it's a great cleaner and it takes off anything without harming the finish. It's hard to go back to others after you use it. I just bought the Sabian cleaner and, after using Zim's, I was very disappointed.

[Bashkin]

to clean? ,not to clean? Does it effect sound , Any horror storyes , or any happy " I got the gig" Storyes .
can it be done at all and what to use ?
Any cheepo home detergent that can work /or make damage ?

[tomtom]

Originally Posted by Bashkin

to clean? ,not to clean? Does it effect sound , Any horror storyes , or any happy " I got the gig" Storyes .
can it be done at all and what to use ?
Any cheepo home detergent that can work /or make damage ?

The only thing I use to clean my cymbals is mild soap and water. Always when I buy new cymbals I clean all logos off with 100% Acetone (I hate logos), then I use the Paiste cymbal protector. After that; mild soap and water. I guess everyone has his/her own method but I´ve heard good things about the Paiste products. Don´t use detergents you are not sure will not do damage.

Groove Juice if used correctly can actually work. I use it all the time, and I still have the logos on my cymbals. I would suggest doing it in a sink or in a bath tub. Spray the cymbal on one side, let it sit for about a minute, you can't wait too long, b/ this is when it starts to take off the logos. Now instead of wiping the cymbal with a rag and cleaning it that way...turn on the water and rinse off all the cleaner. Flip the cymbal over and spray the other side. wait a minute. rinse. Have a towel laid out already and lay the cymbal on it. With a clean rag DO NOT start wiping the cymbal, instead dab the cymbal over and over on both sides gently. You can do this on the logos, and instead of wiping them away, they stay there since you are dabbing. Once you have gotten all the water away and the cymbal is mostly dry, start to wipe the cymbal gently following the grooves (in circles) I have done this and despite it taking more time than most methods, I've found it to work and keep my logos.

Ok! Thanks god I have an old useless Ride! I'm going to take that and soak it in Katchup for a day... See what happens... I hear if you put an old penny in Katchup for a day it will come out like new... Lets see! Now of to the Super Market to buy a galon of Katchup!

Just did all mine last night. Lysol toilet bowl cleaner first... an effortless tarnish remover that worked better than anything I've tried. ACID WARNING!! Wear hospital type laytex gloves. Works great on Sabians and Zildians and even better on Paistes. Then followed with Bar Keepers Friend to get out the stick marks and leave a protective coat of polish. Bright and shiny, but now my cymbals all smell like the mens room at Sears. Kidding.

[finnhiggins]

Originally Posted by Colin

I use Bar Keeper's Friend and Steel Wool. It works just fine, although they will take some of the logo off, I rarely clean my cymbals though.

You use steel wool on cymbals? Geez man, why not just send them to me instead of shredding them :) You'll have to buy new ones soon enough anway...

Ok... The katchup wont work. Now something that does work fine (of course im talking about house held items) is a mix of lemon juice and vinager. it works pretty good and you wont loose your logos. Of course I use the ultimate best (in my opinion) Brasso. But of course that takes of your logos. Just how I like it to.

I haven't polished my cymbals in years. I figure what's the point... I don't think a little tarnish ever hurt the sound and I don't need to be blinded by the flash of a super-shiny cymbal any longer.

HOWEVER - when I did polish my cymbals, I discovered the wonders of muriatic acid. Its got a hell of an odor but man, it'll take *everything* off your cymbal, including that expensive Zildjian logo. Once that was done, any household metal polish will shine it up.

[Anduin]

Hey all, I just got two new Sabians! Woo hoo!

I picked up a 14 inch HH Sound Control Crash to replace an old 13 that's started cracking, and I got a 16 inch HHX Manhattan Jazz just to expand the collection. (I'd never heard of the "Manhattan" line, and it doesn't even say "crash" on it now that I look a little closer, but it sounds great.)

But the thing is, they're covered in fingerprints from people checking them out at the store. How do I clean them up? Can I use a Windex type thing? Do I have to be worried about chemical reactions between a cleaner and the bronze?

All clues appreciated.

Search the forum and you will find plenty of threads on cymbal cleaning. In fact there is a specialist thread dedicated to the 'best cleaner.' Just search.

Btw, congratulations on the Manhattan line; I am exceptionally jealous, I'd be even more jealous if it wasn't for my gorgeous ride...

[Sticksman]

Congrats man, I love the Hand Hammered Sabians too.

And be glad you got a Manhattan, those cymbals are out of this world. I'm not sure how many places stock them, but of all the drum shops I've been to, only one had them in stock.

[Anduin]

Originally Posted by Sticksman

And be glad you got a Manhattan, those cymbals are out of this world. I'm not sure how many places stock them, but of all the drum shops I've been to, only one had them in stock.

Yeah, this shop only had the one in the size range I was looking for. I checked out maybe 25 crashes and whittled it down to (the HH and) the HHX Manhattan. It's quite a light cymbal, and I don't have high hopes for its extended longevity.

The other sweet thing about this cymbal is that of all the ones I looked at, the Manhattan is the only one where you could very clearly see the wave form moving around the circumference. The laws of wave dynamics in demonstration mode right before me eyes. It looks very cool. All the other cyms, the wave is so complex at the edge that it moves so fast you can't really see any distinct pattern.

Who'd a thought a couple of hunks of bronze could be so much fun?

Make sure you don't overhit the Manhattan. That's a very valuable piece of metal that could last you years. Each one has it's own individual character and you don't want to go breaking it! Cymbals are not disposable...

[Anduin]

Originally Posted by Freddie Freeloader

take a lemon, cut it in half, and then squeeze it and rub it around the cymbal.

Interesting idea. I've got this biodegradable "citrus degreaser" I use on bike parts. I figure it's mostly lemon juice. Maybe I'll give it a shot.

[Anduin]

Originally Posted by mediocrefunkybeat

Make sure you don't overhit the Manhattan. That's a very valuable piece of metal that could last you years. Each one has it's own individual character and you don't want to go breaking it! Cymbals are not disposable...

Yeah, I don't think it can take much abuse. It's quite light. I'll try to go easy on it by using it either for just lightish jazz or in a setup with at least two other crashes to spread the punishment around.

The Hand Hammered Sound Control is a weird cymbal. It's got a very short flat section at the edge, as opposed to a continuous curve like most cymbals. Almost like it was about to transmography into a Chinese and then changed its mind at the last second. It's got a very fast decay, which I like, but it's almost a little gong-y, which I'm less sure about.

Anybody else use any of these Sound Control things? What do you think of them?

[Kevinm]

I use Paiste cymbal cleaner, then followup with a mild dish detergent, then dry. They come out great!. The dish detergent gets off the excess cleaner and dirt that just wiping does not. In addition it also gets rid of the mild acid in the cleaner.

[cjl71178]

I use whatever cymbal manufacturer's cleaner. I'm using Zildjians now, and still have a couple Paiste's, and I like their cleaner.

I have a question for any Zildjian users. My older set of cymbals still have a couple tiny
"spots" on the cymbal after I cleaned them. I tried rubbing them out, but still have no luck. Anyone have this problem, and possibly solution???

[B.C.]

What is the best polish to use on Zildjian A custom cymbals without taking off the brilliant finish

[somedrummer]

I believe Zildjian recently started making a polish that works on all their cymbal lines. I havent yet tried it, but I would expect it to work.

[jollymosher]

how do you clean cymbals (house hold items)

Muriatic acid and a metal polish. Talk about a shine. Be careful if you like your pretty Zildjian logos because muriatic acid will take that emblem right off.

But I don't shine my cymbals anymore. I figure what's the point.


MODERATOR EDIT: the following information about muriatic acid should be read carefully before using it for household cleaning. Stick with safe substances that were designed for the task at hand.

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Inhalation:
Corrosive! Inhalation of vapors can cause coughing, choking, inflammation of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract, and in severe cases, pulmonary edema, circulatory failure, and death.

Ingestion:
Corrosive! Swallowing hydrochloric acid can cause immediate pain and burns of the mouth, throat, esophagus and gastrointestinal tract. May cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and in severe cases, death.

Skin Contact:
Corrosive! Can cause redness, pain, and severe skin burns. Concentrated solutions cause deep ulcers and discolor skin.

Eye Contact:
Corrosive! Vapors are irritating and may cause damage to the eyes. Contact may cause severe burns and permanent eye damage.

Chronic Exposure:
Long-term exposure to concentrated vapors may cause erosion of teeth. Long term exposures seldom occur due to the corrosive properties of the acid.

Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders or eye problems or impaired respiratory function may be more susceptible to the effects of the substance.

[Mr. Polo]

I used a combination of lemons and vinegar to clean my cymbals last night and I was totally impressed. Way inexpensive and great results. Mind you, my cymbals weren't really, really dirty... no heavy patina. But, I think it's great. First I cut a lemon in half and squeezed and rubbed the lemon on both sides of the cymbal. I let the juice sit on there for a bit (a minute or so) and then used a cloth soaked in vinegar to wipe it down. After that I cleaned it off thoroughly with soap and water and dried it with a soft rag. Thanks, Freddie Freeloader! I'm not sure how it would work on a really dirty cymbal, but it worked really well on mine.

[thumper]

I find that Pledge (extra moisturizing formula) works awesome to remove (most) stick marks, and it really brings out a nice shine, because of the lemon oil. Doesn't remove logos either...

[Kaden]

Flitz.

Period.

It's wierd blue goop in a tube, and it's the best bronze cleaner I've ever encountered. I deal with bronze and brass every day when I'm working in 'artist' mode, and this stuff is the bees knees.

Leaves your logos intact too.

So buy some already.

K