cymbal cleaning

I'm sorry for another one of these threads, but I can't find any old threads with the same subject...

So, how do I clean cymbals? I'm not going to waste money on cymbal cleaner. I heard once that you can use ammonia, or maybe it was vinegar. Or maybe even rubbing alcohol...

Can someone help me out?

Supposedly the easiest stuff to use is Groove Juice. If you don't want to invest $10 in real "cymbal cleaner" the abrasive "Barkeepers Friend" is pretty good, and it'll also clean up your stainless steel sink nicely. For absolute cheapest, go for whatever you use to clean a frying pan in the sink, or just use some dish soap and water.

I've always been happy with the results I get with an ammonia and water solution. I'd start out with 8 to 10 parts water to 1 part ammonia. It really just depends on how dirty the cymbals are. You'll want to use it in a well ventilated area, but the fumes really aren't bad if you don't mix it very strong. I clean mine outside, on the back patio. You can get a large bottle of the stuff for about a buck and it will last for a rrreeeaaally long time.

I use Groove Juice on my cymbals and it always gets them nice and clean. If you decide to use actual cymbal cleaner, don't leave it on too long or it will eat the logos off your cymbals. Follow the instructions on the product carefully.

Warning: there are different types of cymbals requiring different types of cleaners. Groove juice works wonders on traditional cast bronze cymbals, but DO NOT use it on brilliant cymbals. It will discolor them.

I dont clean mine at all.

I feel dirty after admitting this.

I use tooth paste on mine. Works just fine for me . I

Twinkle.

It is a paste, $3 and you can get it at the grocery store.

it's okay, i don't either, but they're still wonderfully shiny!

I just use water.

I was told by a while back that Amway metal cleaner works very well. I have tried it myself, but I have used a few relatively generic metal cleaners that seem to be ammonia-based and they seem to work fine. I also heard that Coca Cola works well.

-Duardo

Wenol works well on brilliants. I also use Wright's Copper Cream. Either of these will remove logos if given the chance, so be careful.

The best solution I have found is using Carnuba car wax on them from the time they are new. This provides a protective barrier from tarnishing the metal itself.

I have been doing this on brilliant cymbals for years, and they still look almost new.

Cymbals will develop an "aged" look after a while where by even a brilliant finish (even if well cared for) will get somewhat "yellowed" or mellowed in appearance.

Additionally, the carnuba wax will not remove the logos either.

Hope this helps.

DJ

But won't the wax add a bit of weight to the cymbals, and affect the sound?

I use Twinkle and hot water to get the deep crud off the cymbal and then buff the cymbal using Brasso. Result with a bit of elbow grease is a "mirror finish". ;-)

I've also tried GM chrome polish and got good results but it didn't seem to last..

Groove Juice

Barkeepers Friend (lightly)

The Amway Stuff, forget the name (very nice for cleaning chrome lugs.)

NEVER had a problem with using Groove Juice on brilliant cumbals...It always worked amazingly. Recently I tried Buckaroo Cymbal Cleaner. Worked real nice on my Brilliant stuff. On my traditional cymbals it did clean them, but made them real dull looking...

I would use a solution meant for cleaning cymbals. That way you have someone to sue if you screw something up

Buckaroo is basically the same as a product called "Ever Brite" that you can find in most department stores.. I found using white gym socks to buff the cymbal gets a great result after these products.. You have to really put some elbow into the buffing though... Create a bit of heat when buffing and you'll get a great result..

i find the best way for me to clean cymbals is by using the tips of my drumsticks applied in a rhythmic barrage for hours on end. after spending many dollars and developing gargantuan forearms from the elbow grease application, i found that with my eyes shut i couldnt tell the difference between a sparkling clean crash or the same cymbal covered with ten years worth of road grime and sweat. of course if you have a drum tech and you happen to be mad at them, then by all means clean cymbals are a necessity... otherwise, i would just as leave improve my chops with the time spent practicing. but then again i would much rather send you home wondering "how the hell did he do that???" as opposed to " gee, what pretty drums those were." however, all this and two dollars still wont get ya a cup of coffee at starbucks....

I usually just pick up some concentrated sulfuric acid when I'm buying methanol and ephedrine from my cemical supply store. Just make sure you wear gloves, the stuff works really well on getting rid of those pesky fingerprints as well as fingers

Back to work. Hope I don't blow myself up today.

The cheepest way is this! Urine and a cloth!

DO NOT USE ANYTHING BUT PAISTE CLEANER ON PAISTE CYMBALS

It will take off the protective finish that they are shod with at the factory. The rest of the brands will see varying results with other cleaners, I use Groove Jiuce personally on my Sabians and Zildjinas - and it WILL take off logos.

Sheer poetry, man.

What i use to clean my cymabals is brass polish. I've tried car wax and other stuff, but if you want to get the best results, use brass polish.