cleaning cymbals

[drummerfreak33]

hey guys Id really like to shine up my cymbals, but I dont want to rub off the sabian insignias and stuff. Do you guys have any tips on what to use?

 

[RideTheCrash]

Lots of people will suggest stuff you can find in your house or at a local store for cleaning cymbals, but you have to be very careful you don't discolour your cymbals or kill the sound or anything. I've heard lots of good and bad things from every suggestion, but there is "Groove Juice" you could always try. Just pop into to a local music store and see what they have.

As for not wanting to wipe off the logos, you'll just have to be careful...most everything you use will bring them off, but some products I've seen suggested apparently don't, but it seems to differ for everyone. You could also try using like masking tape or something and covering the logos and washing around it...not sure, I'm not big on really cleaning cymbals.

Which reminds me: just try some hot water and soap, which shouldn't take off logos, I've done it before, and it does a decent job.

 

[SillyBee]

Never use any kind of polish on cymbals.

 

[fuzzy math]

does anyone else find that after a cleaning, the cymbals sound different? it seems that mine loose some of their depth(especially my 20'). i guess its personal preference, but i like the sound of the uncleaned cymbal better. other than a feather duster every once in awhile, i just leave them be.

 

[HangDawg]

Never use any kind of polish on cymbals.

Why should the oxidation not be cleaned off other than because you said so? You don't buy them that way. I would think all that buildup would change the sound of them.

 

[M Havlen]

They sure as hell LOOK a lot better when there polished up. Considering what I paid for my cymbals, I keep em cleaned up, with a metal polish called "Semichrome" . but there are other cleaners available at your local guitar/drum store. Just clean around the logo's carefully, and don't rub on them. The longer fingerprints are left on, the harder they are to get off.

 

[HangDawg]

They sure as hell LOOK a lot better when there polished up. Considering what I paid for my cymbals, I keep em cleaned up, with a metal polish called "Semichrome" . but there are other cleaners available at your local guitar/drum store. Just clean around the logo's carefully, and don't rub on them. The longer fingerprints are left on, the harder they are to get off.

I use that cotton-looking stuff in the blue can. Can't remember the name (never-dull maybe).

 

[mikeh]

I you buy a cymbal clean - and you like the way it sounds, then try to keep it clean (there are many cymbal cleaning chemicals, including stuff marketed by Zildjian, Sabian, etc. - but be careful with Groove Juice, I have actually seen that stuff etch glass!!!)

I you have a dirty cymbal and you like the way it sounds - leave it dirty. Many drummers cherish the sound of their old tarnished cymbals.

 

[HangDawg]

Many drummers cherish the sound of their old tarnished cymbals.

That's because they've forgotten how good they sounded when they were new.

 

[SillyBee]

I you buy a cymbal clean - and you like the way it sounds, then try to keep it clean (there are many cymbal cleaning chemicals, including stuff marketed by Zildjian, Sabian, etc. - but be careful with Groove Juice, I have actually seen that stuff etch glass!!!)

I you have a dirty cymbal and you like the way it sounds - leave it dirty. Many drummers cherish the sound of their old tarnished cymbals.

Well said!

The appearance of the cymbal effects the sound of it?
I have all Paiste Signatures and a "natural" finish is dryer sounding and has less highs than a smooth, polished surface.
I like the sound of a textured, unpolished surface.

 

[HangDawg]

Well said!

The appearance of the cymbal effects the sound of it?
I have all Paiste Signatures and a "natural" finish is dryer sounding and has less highs than a smooth, polished surface.
I like the sound of a textured, unpolished surface.

Now, that's a little different than saying, "NEVER CLEAN YOUR CYMBALS" Just because you like less highs doesn't mean the next guy does.

 

[SillyBee]

and NEVER CLEAN YOUR CYMBALS is a LOT different than "Never use any kind of polish on cymbals.".

Most cymbals have protective coatings.

 

[RecordingIdiot]

i used brasso on my cymbals. they look and sound good.

 

[codmetal]

if you go over the print with any cleaner it will come off...bottom line

 

[RecordingIdiot]

and NEVER CLEAN YOUR CYMBALS is a LOT different than "Never use any kind of polish on cymbals.".

Most cymbals have protective coatings.

i thought Paiste was the only ones you had to worry about?

 

[JustaBassist]

Im not a drummer but the drummer in my band has all ZBT Zildjians for about a year and they has all gone to crap, HUGE cracks and pieces of the cymbal flying everywhere. I know ZBTs are absolute crap but if he cleaned them a few time during that period would they have lasted a bit longer? Now my drummer is looking at getting mastersound Hihighs and z custom crashes Piece by piece.

 

[Bulls Hit]

I took to my zildjians with a rotary car polisher and cutting compund. They came up great. That was a couple of years ago, now they could do with another trip to the pimp my cymbal shop

 

[mikeh]

Justabassist,

Cleaning cymbals would not prevent cracks or "pieces of cumbals breaking off".

Candidly, even with cheap cymbals like ZBT - proper technique would not break the cymbals. Some drummers take some strange pride that they "play so hard they break cymbals" - but in reality, it is simply a clear indication of poor technique.

 

[JustaBassist]

well...I think ZBTs just suck.

 

[RecordingIdiot]

i have had a zbt ride and hats for 5 years now. im pleased with the quality for the price. you dont have to beat the hell out of your drums and cymbals...sounds better plus you dont have to replace heads and cracked cymbals as often. one thing i hate is letting other dummers use my kit at shows and watching them practically rape them. i cringe at the thought of some of these local drummers getting behind my kit. oops i started ranting.

anyways would welding a cracked cymbal make it sound too terrible?? i also heard that filing around the cracks works. does it??