Cymbal Cleaning and Polishing

[Crusader]

I have an unusual problem. My cymbals, Sabian B8's were submerged in Katrina waters for two weeks. They are still in what' left of the cymbal bag, and are a nice seafoam green color. Now I've researched and found all methods of cleaning cymbals from lemon juice, ketchup, and hot sauce (that's just wrong), to Barkeepers Friend, Brasso ?!!!, Shampoo and conditioner, Dawn, to Cymbal Doctor, Groove Juice, Paiste, Sabian, and Zildjian Cleaners. I even watched some guy burn up his cordless drill spinning the cymbal as he buffed it (SMH). I'm not worried about the stenciling as I can get the kit. I just want clean shiny cymbals.....

[HolyChina]

I am no expert on this matter but I know ketchup works on rusty fishing hooks but I hope you get some good advise cuz I wanna polish my cymbals

[drummer]

Did you try spitting on it? The more venemous your personality, the more toxic your spit.

And what's a matter with seafoam green? That's my favorite color!

[Commander]

Barkeeper's Friend works quite well. I cleaned up several 40+ year old badly neglected cymbals with the stuff and they turned out great.

[drumsetsnide]

I like Flitz. Nothing is going to work magic. It's going to take time and elbow grease to get them in shape.

[imperialstar15]

Do they still sound okay? I would imagine that after two weeks in water even with a bag, it would cause some damage

[rmandelbaum]

I would call Sabian and tell them your story, they may offer to help, you never know ;-)

[Crusader]

Haven't tested them. I hope with a little(?) spit and polish they'll be almost as good as new. If not, I'll be on a cymbal expedition..... Dream, Sabian, Saluda, Supernaturals, Meinl, Wuhan.........Oh boy.....

[yngvar13]

Sabian does offer a refinishing re-logo program. I think its about $40 per cymbal plus shipping....B8s may not be worth that expense.....I have used Bar keeper friend on B8 bronze with much success. elbow grease, time, and patience are key....good luck!

[Bish]

I like Flitz. Nothing is going to work magic. It's going to take time and elbow grease to get them in shape.

This has always been my butler.

[Crusader]

Well, I have some good news and some bad news.... The good news is 3 cymbals were salvageable. The bad news is 3 cymbals were salvageable out of 8. The 14" hats and 14" crash are ok. The rest are corroded around the edges and the metal has been compromised. I'm going to check around and see if there is a recycle program where I can get some credit on some new cymbals. I think, Dream and Sabian have programs like this. I want to upgrade from the B8's, but since I am not gigging it isn't critical. The adventure continues......

[markthechuck]

I would call Sabian and tell them your story, they may offer to help, you never know ;-)

give this a go, it's worth a shot.

[yngvar13]

That sucks brother!

[longgun]

Wow.........wasn't Katrina back in 2005? Eight years of corrosion may be hard to fight.

[Crusader]

Yep, that was 8 years ago, but it's all good. I'm not gonna cry over something that isn't going to cry over me. Anyway, I cleaned the more damaged cymbals with ketchup. It did make some of the areas shine, but, stripped the cymbals of the protective coating and did cause some discoloration. Maybe the previous damage was a contributor? I did have some Paiste cymbal cleaner, and it did a good job. My recommendation is leave the ketchup alone. If you're not sure, call the manufacturer using their recommendations.

I do see cymbals I want, not afford, want! They are the Saluda Earthworks series. If I get the setup I want, 14" hats, 14", 16", 18" crash, 8" and 10" splash, 20" ride, and 18" china I'm looking at almost a grand....

Being practical, I could just buy a complete set of B8's on sale and get them for around for around $450 with some discounts, as I am not gigging just playing at home.

Or, I could wait and get a full set of Xs20's which is a step up....

[pcs90]

You could try one of the recycling programs. Some stores have them, and I know Dream will give you 1 dollar per inch on any cymbal now (not just b20 anymore). That's only towards Dream cymbals though... If the hats and crash are fine and you wanted to stick with B8's, then you could get the remaining ones you needed and make the old ones into splashes or effects maybe?

[Crusader]

I thought about that. With my new set of drums, after thinking about it, I'd like a step up or two in cymbals. I listened to the Dream cymbals, but from talking to other drummers they aren't consistent. Like I said I love the Saluda Earthworks, but I may just go with the Sabian Xs20. I have time, and I'm sure there will be some Father's Day and 4th of July sales, so I can wait. Here's a pic of a Saluda Earthwork cymbal: http://www.drumgearonline.com/ewsaldgo1s.jpg

[pcs90]

Dreams are definitely not consistent. You would have to pick them out by hand if you wanted to be sure that you got a good one.
XS20's aren't too bad, though the ride always seemed too ringy.

[Crusader]

After considering cost, and quality, I think I'm going to go with a set of Wuhan cymbals. They are B20 rather than B8 bronze, the price is reasonable and I like the sound especially of the Linear effects cymbals. I can always upgrade later as the finances permit. I plan on buying 14" hats, 14", 16", 18" crash, 20" ride, 8", 10", 12" splash, 17" China, and a 15" Linear effects crash....

I called Sabian, but judging from the condition of the cymbals it's better to just retire them. I do have an idea. I plan on framing and hanging them in the room I have my drums.

[pcs90]

Good choice, the Wuhan Linears are sweet. I had an 11" for a while and from a distance it sounded almost like a mini ozone crash (yours may sound different). Plus they just look cool haha. Those will sound much better than your B8's.

[late8]

I found this kit on my front doorstep last year. It was apparently left by a neighbor who knew I played the drums and thought I could use it. Sheet metal cymbals were toast as was the kit. I can only imagine what your water soaked cymbals looked like after 8 years in the water logged bag....

[Crusader]

One cymbal, the B8 14' crash seems to have survived, the hats are suspect as there are black lines in the lathing like a fault line. The other cymbals are corroded around the edges and the back of the ride is blue. I think I can get it off, but it will further ruin what's left of the coating protecting the finish. The Saluda 20" china is cooked. The finish is spotty with bare red metal.....

I've decided to go with the Wuhan's as I said in my previous post, but minus the 12" splash. I may add a china later.... or another linear effects...

You guys are a bad influence.... I saw the drum riser shooter217 built.... now you have me thinking..... My drum set is turning into Lego's for me, I just keep building.....YES!!!!

[wolvie56]

Actually. As what has been said. Contact Sabian about your story. With all the stories about what happened with Katrina, they might take it upon themselves to create another feel good story that came out of this mess. The good PR will benefit them, you will be reimbursed with new cymbals probably at the same time. They can afford it. I would give it a try along with photos if you have them. It's worth a try.

[Crusader]

I'll call them again.... They never returned my first call....

[wolvie56]

E-mailing would probably work better. All your getting is a floor person. E-Mail the entire story.