Cleaning cymbals?

[Allan Speers]

I just did a search on this, and was surprised to get zero results.

 

I have several old Zildian rides and hats with the typical corrosion / patina. they are all just a little dark sounding. Will cleaning or polishing them make them even a little brighter?

 

I know some drummers prefer the dirty sound. What are your opinons here?

 

If I DO clean them, what's the preferred method?

 

-I'm interested in getting the best results, though it might be nice to also know the easiest method (for quick touch-ups.)

 

thanks

[coyote]

For ordinary dirt or spills, a mild soap solution will wwork fine. To get rid of the 'grunge of years", there are cymbal cleaning compounds marketed by Zildjian, Sabian, etc. They work well, and do give you a brighter sounding cymbal when done. Be aware that, just like silver polish, you will be taking a *very* small amount of the metal off the cymbal in the process. IMO the results are worth it.

 

Originally posted by Allan Speers:

I just did a search on this, and was surprised to get zero results.

 

I have several old Zildian rides and hats with the typical corrosion / patina. they are all just a little dark sounding. Will cleaning or polishing them make them even a little brighter?

 

I know some drummers prefer the dirty sound. What are your opinons here?

 

If I DO clean them, what's the preferred method?

 

-I'm interested in getting the best results, though it might be nice to also know the easiest method (for quick touch-ups.)

 

thanks

[Allan Speers]

Thanks, Coyote.

 

So all brands are just as good, and better than "brasso" or other old-school formulas?

 

** ALSO: Once you get the cymbals clean, is there anything that will keep them from corroding again, without significantly affecting the tone?

[djarrett]

allan:

 

You bring up a good question:

I know folks that buy cymbals and bury them in a sacred place in the ground ... so that they age like fine wine. They come out of the ground months later with an unusual patina.

 

I, on the other hand, like my cymbals brilliant.

 

The old say: "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is a great quote to remember. I keep my cymbals wiped down after each use, and it keeps cymbal cleaning to a minimum.

 

If you are buying old cymbals that are coated with crud, professional products are recommended. Wynol (available at any fine automotive store) is a great cream polish ... that is TOTALLY non-abrasive. The key word in removing tarnish, ... is elbow grease. The secret to success is for great cleaning is to clean with the sound grooves. (kinda like sanding wood ... when you stay with the grain).

 

Soft (and old) towels is a great help. You need a good supply of fresh towels ... so that you are not re-applying the grime as you clean.

 

Hope this helps.

DJ

[Allan Speers]

Great info, thanks.

 

Is a drill with buffing wheel out of the question? (my elbows aren't what they used to be.)

[coyote]

The cleaning compounds do *slightly* accelerate the corrosion process - after all, they are dissolving metal off the cymbal! Again, IMO an acceptable tradeoff.

 

And a drill with a buffing wheel is OK. However, I've found that nothing works as well as elbow grease & patience.

[joeq]

I say don't clean them. Especially if you are using them in the studio.

 

Here is a vote in favor of that patina- I like the sound and I think they record better when they have a little tarnish on them.

 

If you feel you must clean them- clean one as a test and record it before and after - make sure it is what you want or you will have to bury them in the back yard for a month.

 

Also be very very careful if you using a drill and brush- you could heat up the metal of the cymbal and ruin the temper- I would stick to hand polishing.

[djarrett]

Coyote:

I have to disagree about the drill with the buffer wheel.

 

This is not a good idea for cymbals, as the wheel generates heat. If you are not careful, you can overheat the metal ... which will alter the molecular structure and tone of the cymbal. Too much heat can even make the cymbal brittle and cause cracks to form later on down the road.

 

Good old elbow grease *is* the answer!

 

DJ