Are house hold ideas safe to clean with?

[ZildjianKid234]

windex will do the trick .

This is what I've always used. I'm not too particular about my cymbals, but a little bit of windex on a rag every couple of months keeps the finger prints down.

[Zeta]

something gentle like windex will be fine.
Even a soft damp rag will get them clean, maybe not factory shiny but clean.

[Warren Wright]

This thread could end up being a long and informative breakdown of many "personal" choices of cleaning, not cleaning, made for cymbal cleaning products listed on most or all of the online music retailers, or household products *( Brasso for instance ) , Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner -( be aware, this product has fumes that you just do Not Want To Breathe in - so use this product outside) , I know of one condiment eaten with french fries that will help clean your cymbals that is also known as "Ketchup".

I clean mine and shine them up occassionally ...the dirt and dust/foriegn substances build up in the tiny grooves of the cymbal and effectively "muffle and deaden" the response of the cymbal. Some drummers like this effect...some dont.

I will be checking this thread to see how many different "cymbal cleaning" products and methods get posted off this, and I hope we have some "cymbal shining" procedures posted as well.

[Pearl MCX Man]

I never use any chemicals on my drums or cymbals. Me it has always been Borax, vinegar and baking soda. I use this stuff on everything in the house and his better for your health than all them household cleaners which are all toxic and dangerous. nough said

[EddieV]

I use BAR KEEPERS FRIEND.

You have to be gentle....as it is a little abrasive, but it's quick and works well.

[EddieV]

I believe each cymbal maker makes their own brand of cleaner approved to work on their cymbals.

With out naming names or manufacturers..(Z, S or P) ..I had a "spot" issue with a set of Brilliant cymbals. Not sure what it was....figured it was sweat or something, but I couldn't get the spot off.

I contacted the manufacture - spoke with the Rep. He told me their cleaner was junk....and to use FLITZ meal polish.

It worked well...very well, but is messy and time consuming.

[pastor_bob]

Lemon juice is mildly acidic (citric acid), so it would have something in common with Groove Juice, but would be less harsh. If you're looking for something that is a common household item to use as a cleaner, I would say that lemon juice is available, affordable, and should spare the logos if you are careful.

[late8]

I use this stuff.



results:

[NPYYZ]

Hi,

I have some high hat cymbals that got some really bad dirt and stains on them.
If I can avoid buying cymbal cleaners I will but I wanna use house hold products. Anyone with some awesome ideas?
I realize this may be a repeat of an old thread so to spice it up it a bit what could I use to clean the metal parts on my drums?

Thanks!

You can get some quality cymbal cleaner for under $20.00. I'd recommend that instead of what's under the sink.
I use this, no hard rubbing or buffing. Just take one clothe , wipe down the cymbal , rinse with cold water and wipe dry with a towel.

[wolvie56]

I use BAR KEEPERS FRIEND.

You have to be gentle....as it is a little abrasive, but it's quick and works well.

Yeah, it does work well, I have used it before on a really dirty cymbal I picked up, but I wouldn't use it on a brilliant finished cymbal. No matter how gentle you are, it still leaves rub marks, even if you scrub along with the grooves.

[Dodeska]

I use this stuff.



results:

Has it taken all the logos off?

[Pearl MCX Man]

From the picture it looks like all the logos are gone and maybe it was done by another cleaner that late8 used before this stuff. Pretty hard to polish cymbals without taking logo off no matter what it is you use.

[kay-gee]

From the picture it looks like all the logos are gone and maybe it was done by another cleaner that late8 used before this stuff. Pretty hard to polish cymbals without taking logo off no matter what it is you use.

I prefer logo-less anyway!

all the best...

[bongobro]

I've heard that Coca-Cola makes a great cleaner. Doesn't get any cheaper than that!

all the best...

Scary part is that I've heard that you can remove crud from the posts of your car battery with Coca-Cola...man, if it can do all that, what does it do to your stomach?

Brasso + cymbals = NOT GOOD!!!

Brasso is basically ammonia and naphtha (lighter fluid)...nasty stuff to work with and it messes up your brass in short order!

[Pearl MCX Man]

I prefer logo-less anyway!

all the best...

I am the opisite I like the logo on. How many times people have to ask what make of cymbals is that if there is no logo. I make sure my Zildjian logos and nice and dark so people can see them. When they do fade away a little I will get the magic marker out and revive them.

[Northern Redneck]

Scary part is that I've heard that you can remove crud from the posts of your car battery with Coca-Cola...man, if it can do all that, what does it do to your stomach?



Brasso is basically ammonia and naphtha (lighter fluid)...nasty stuff to work with and it messes up your brass in short order!

Ive been using Brasso for years and Ive never had a problem.

[late8]

From the picture it looks like all the logos are gone and maybe it was done by another cleaner that late8 used before this stuff. Pretty hard to polish cymbals without taking logo off no matter what it is you use.

I hate cymbal logos Gilles. I wiped them clean on purpose because my vintage cymbals no longer have logos and my new ones did.

Brasso doesn't harm cymbals. I switched from Brasso because the NevrDull uses no liquid formula and much easier to clean up after use.

[longgun]

[QUOTE=late8;485928]I use this stuff.



me too.....great stuff

[EddieV]

I cleaned my cymbals with BRASSO for years....(there really wasn't anything else back then) and had terrific results.

It WAS messy and time consuming....but it never "hurt" my cymbals.

[Warren Wright]

Scary part is that I've heard that you can remove crud from the posts of your car battery with Coca-Cola...man, if it can do all that, what does it do to your stomach?



Brasso is basically ammonia and naphtha (lighter fluid)...nasty stuff to work with and it messes up your brass in short order!

Not to be disrespectful here but Brasso has been used on military bases for ages and trust me in this: Brasso does Not Harm Brass ... it does require a lot of time and rubbing and you do have to clean off the residue *( it turns "Black" )* but properly applied and cleaned, your brass cymbals, brass belt buckles, brass insignia, brass door handles etc will all come out lookin shiny and brand new.

[Drumbledore]

Scary part is that I've heard that you can remove crud from the posts of your car battery with Coca-Cola...man, if it can do all that, what does it do to your stomach?

It's also great for cleaning coins in your coin collection. Just remember to drink Coke before you start cleaning with it, not after, lol!


I've used Brasso and Silvo for cleaning cymbal stands and other chromed hardware before. But not for cymbals, I'd rather use Paiste cymbal cleaner for my Paiste cymbals.

And that's my two Greek drachmas....ok, ok....I meant cents!

[bongobro]

Wow, did I get a kick in the ... nah, I'm not gonna say it! If you're comfortable with Brasso and it works for you, more power to you. I would think twice about using it on a cherished antique, but, that's my tres pesos on that!

Drumbledore, leave it to you, mate!

[steveplaysyamaha]

I used AeroTech 2000 on a cymbal yesterday and it cleaned it up real nice (not harsh)

I have a 1970's ride I would never clean, however.

[EddieV]

Bump for relevance to another thread.

[Warren Wright]

Scary part is that I've heard that you can remove crud from the posts of your car battery with Coca-Cola...man, if it can do all that, what does it do to your stomach?



Brasso is basically ammonia and naphtha (lighter fluid)...nasty stuff to work with and it messes up your brass in short order!

Actually, it doesnt "mess up your brass" - but, you have to use soap and warm water to completely remove the "black" that it leaves behind...The US Army used Brasso exclusively when I was in the service and we polished everything we had that was brass with it and there was never any "damaged" belt buckles or brass, we even Brasso'd the Officers jeep parts that were "brass" - man, did they ever shine~ . And Coca-Cola really will remove battery acid crud off your battery cables.