Cymbals Direct

Remember the feeling you had when you took your brand new cymbal out of the box and put them on your kit? They gleamed in the light, and you couldn't wait to play them. Unfortunately cymbals are made to take a pounding, and while you crashing away on them, they can get extremely dirty. The bright luster of your brand new cymbal is long gone. Luckily for you, you can restore your cymbals to their (almost) original appearance with a little elbow grease and some products you may have around your home.

Your first step when cleaning your cymbals is to assess what type of cleaning they really need. How dirty do the cymbals look? If you can see grime in the grooves, it's time for a deep clean. If your cymbals appear to just need a good buffing, you may get away with giving them a good polish.

The type of cleaning you plan on doing also determines what products you will be using on your cymbals. Most manufacturers like Meinl Cymbals make their own cleaner that is safe for use on all finishes, from your brilliant chinas to your aged splashes. Sabian recommends you clean around the logo, as the cymbal cleaner can remove the logo completely. Other cymbal specific cleaners include Buckaroo Cymbal Cleaner and Blitz Cymbal Cleaner.

For deep cleaning, you can try various household products that have been known to remove grime. Comet, an abrasive household cleaner, can really get into the grooves of your cymbal and remove dirt. Be careful with products like Comet, as they are so abrasive they may scratch your cymbal. Fantastic or Formula 409 are both deep cleaners that can work on cymbals, as is Scrubbing Bubbles.

When deep cleaning your cymbal, be sure to rub with the grooves as opposed to up and down from the bell. If you find that the dirt and grime is not lifting, try to soak the cymbal for a few hours in a warm water solution. Some of the dirt may lift with soaking. Always be sure to use a soft cloth and not something abrasive like SOS pads or steel wool. They won't get your cymbal any cleaner, and you will end up with a lot of scratches in the process.

Cymbals that require a good polish will come clean with Cymbal Cleaner. If you want to add that extra shine, use some Car Wax or an all-natural lemon juice. Constant buffing and polishing will restore the gleam to your cymbals.

The best advice to restore the gleam to your cymbals is to always keep them clean in the first place. Although you have no control over the fact that they are exposed to dirt, smoke, or oil from your hands, you can make cleaning them a weekly ritual. Keep the necessary products handy and give your cymbals a once over whenever you have 10 minutes free. It is extremely important that you keep your cymbals dry and free from any water residue. Water can cause oxidization, which turns into rust. Although rust will not ruin the sound of your cymbal, it won't look as shiny and new as it once did.

In addition to cleaning, protect your cymbals from scratches and wear by carrying them in a hard-shelled case. Use felts when ever possible to protect them from rubbing against the stand.

Keeping your cymbals in tip top shape is similar to housework; if you let it pile up, it takes you that much longer to clean up. Staying on top of your cymbal maintenance is your best bet to keeping them in good working order. Next Tip: Dealing with Cymbal Cracks.

Labels: Cleaning Cymbals, Cymbals Tips, Meinl Cymbals, Sabian Cymbals