Cleaning cymbals

I-P said:
@type85 Just saw the latest video from you.

I had a fleabite on my 20" Big Beat. Your video was timely, and gave me confidence to try and minimise it. Did similar to you and coated it afterwards. Done. Thank you.

(Side note. The 2002 Black Big Beats have a black faux colouring/treatment applied to them. One has to be very careful when working on these as to not remove some of the treatment/finish.
I'd say many cymbals that have that treatment would be th same. Think, 900 series, newer Meinl Pure Alloys, etc)
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Very cool!

I need to add narration and a bunch of pictures to the video to help explain what I am doing.
I did not know the 2002 big beats had a colored coating, I guess that becoming a fad, I see a lot of cymbal lines with subtle color changes from standard........
 
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DrumBum213 said:
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.
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I worked a drum shop in the early 90s and we used Blue Magic. The best polish for cymbals using with the grooves, not against because it is slightly abrasive. Zildjian reps caught on and relased a very similar product shortly after.
 
Lmiller73 said:
I worked a drum shop in the early 90s and we used Blue Magic. The best polish for cymbals using with the grooves, not against because it is slightly abrasive. Zildjian reps caught on and released a very similar product shortly after.
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Very cool!
I it very messy and smelly but works very well, I am able to use it carefully on cymbals with a clear coat and still get then clean.
 
Lunasee said:
I finally cleaned my cymbals. I used Barkeepers Freind and a lot of elbow grease. Needed extra care to save the logos. I'm happy with the results.
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I'm very surprised that your cymbals are not all scratched from a Bar Keepers Friend. I know that I have used Bar Keepers Friend on copper and you can see all the fine scratches that it makes. Did you see scratches in the beginning when you first started cleaning them? How do they sound now?
 
Drumdame said:
I'm very surprised that your cymbals are not all scratched from a Bar Keepers Friend. I know that I have used Bar Keepers Friend on copper and you can see all the fine scratches that it makes. Did you see scratches in the beginning when you first started cleaning them? How do they sound now?
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The BKF Liquid is very good.
I prefer to seal the cymbal afterwards however to minimise the oxidation.
 
Drumdame said:
I'm very surprised that your cymbals are not all scratched from a Bar Keepers Friend. I know that I have used Bar Keepers Friend on copper and you can see all the fine scratches that it makes. Did you see scratches in the beginning when you first started cleaning them? How do they sound now?
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Yes, I used the liquid stuff. The bottle says on the front "soft cleanser". I didn't notice any scratches, and they sound fine. I rinsed them in cold water really well when I was finished.
 

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Drumdame said:
I'm very surprised that your cymbals are not all scratched from a Bar Keepers Friend. I know that I have used Bar Keepers Friend on copper and you can see all the fine scratches that it makes. Did you see scratches in the beginning when you first started cleaning them? How do they sound now?
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I use the liquid and if I get scratches, I can’t see them. Besides, most of mine have scratches since they were all used.
 
eric_B said:
About the logos disappearing after cleaning: if you want them back, it would be easy to cut new ones out of vinyl (even in any color you like!) with a cutting plotter, check my topic over here.
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I saw a guy make cymbal stencils with a thing like that, and he colored them in with a Sharpie. Too much work for me. I don’t care much about logos on cymbals.
 
JimmyM said:
I saw a guy make cymbal stencils with a thing like that, and he colored them in with a Sharpie. Too much work for me. I don’t care much about logos on cymbals.
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Yeah, not everyone cares about logos.
But, making stencils is not really necessary if you want them back.
Just cut the vinyl into logos and stick those on the cymbals.
 
eric_B said:
Yeah, not everyone cares about logos.
But, making stencils is not really necessary if you want them back.
Just cut the vinyl into logos and stick those on the cymbals.
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I’m sure it works but it will also muffle them. Which might be good for some, sure.
 
eric_B said:
Yeah, not everyone cares about logos.
But, making stencils is not really necessary if you want them back.
Just cut the vinyl into logos and stick those on the cymbals.
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Jimmy, I'm surprised that the company it self doesn't sell the logos already cut out... do you know how many people would be buying them. Then I think more people would be cleaning their cymbals such as myself not being afraid if I messed up and took part of the name off the cymbals when cleaning them.
 
JimmyM said:
I’m sure it works but it will also muffle them. Which might be good for some, sure.
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The vinyl is pretty thin and doesn't weigh much so I think the muffling effect will be minimal - maybe unless you cover the entire cymbal with it.
I will try it out though, I'm curious.
 
Drumdame said:
Jimmy, I'm surprised that the company it self doesn't sell the logos already cut out... do you know how many people would be buying them. Then I think more people would be cleaning their cymbals such as myself not being afraid if I messed up and took part of the name off the cymbals when cleaning them.
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I should start selling them! EB's Custom Drum Decals, EBCDDs for every drummer!
 
Drumdame said:
Jimmy, I'm surprised that the company it self doesn't sell the logos already cut out... do you know how many people would be buying them. Then I think more people would be cleaning their cymbals such as myself not being afraid if I messed up and took part of the name off the cymbals when cleaning them.
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I imagine one reason they don’t is because of possible fraud.
 
JimmyM said:
I imagine one reason they don’t is because of possible fraud.
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Right, and maybe copyright issues?

That being said, I think I should be allowed to restore my own cymbals, so I gave it a try on a set of Paiste Formula 602 hats, using blue for the logo:

IMG_5112.jpgIMG_5114.jpgIMG_5115.jpgIMG_5113.jpg

I haven't stuck them on permanently yet (the blue lines are from the transfer tape) because I was hoping I could put them on without removing the original logos but they don't line up perfectly.

Still, if the old logos are gone, this works great for restoring the logos and lettering - or putting on your own art on it!
 
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