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Are there any advances in cymbal polishing?

Posts: 485 Threads: 112

Hey Cymbal guys, how do you like the collection of copper below?? My daughter recently secured a job instructing a high school drum line and brought home cymbals to "clean." Asked me to help---I said sure!!! What was I thinking?? Oh my gosh---what a DRAG! I've learned cleaning cymbals with tarnish/oxidation is pretty easy--whether you use ketchup, Bartender's Keeper, or whatever your gig, etc....it's the shine that's hard to get AND KEEP.

Once we got the cymbals cleaned and then polished with Zildjian paste cymbal polish, it's been hard keeping them shiny. These are 16 inch A Zildjian. Can't tell if they're Stadiums or something else. Probably early 2000's....

So, please chime in and let me know how we can keep these cymbals from tarnishing so quickly.....

Ps: For me, forever and always, there will be only one cymbal brand: Zildjian! d.

Posted on 11 years ago
#1
Guest

Have they got laser trademarks with the serial numbers underneath? If yes, then these are the corresponding years of manufacture (as best we can tell). You look for the the first two letters of the serial number.

If they don't have the laser trademarks then they are earlier than 1994.

ID - 1994

IE - 1995

IF - 1996

IG - 1997

IH - 1998

II - 1999

JJ - 2000 (CIE start)

JA - 2001

JB - 2002

JC - 2003

JD - 2004

JE - 2005

JF - 2006

JG - 2007 (Armands in, CIE out)

JH - 2008

JI - 2009

AJ - 2010 (CIE rarities year)

AA - 2011

AB - 2012

AC - 2013 (Armands out except BB, redesign A line in)

As regards tarnishing, I recommend you coat them in paste wax (also called butchers wax). Any brand will do.

[img]http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/Qb/woodcleaner01-0410-xl.jpg[/img]

I've found this works if you have shiny cymbals and want to keep fingerprints and sweat away. When stuff gets on them you just wipe them off. If after a time the coating of wax starts to come off, you just re-wax them. This should decrease the amount of time you have to spend keeping them looking shiny.

Posted on 11 years ago
#2
Posts: 294 Threads: 44

If you are looking for an even easier way to clean them, then Groove Juice will do the trick. Followed by wax.

On those cymbals you have no black ink stamps to worry about ruining, and

since they are high quality cymbals, Groove Juice will work great.

Posted on 11 years ago
#3
Posts: 485 Threads: 112

From zenstat

Have they got laser trademarks with the serial numbers underneath? If yes, then these are the corresponding years of manufacture (as best we can tell). You look for the the first two letters of the serial number. If they don't have the laser trademarks then they are earlier than 1994. ID - 1994 IE - 1995 IF - 1996 IG - 1997 IH - 1998 II - 1999 JJ - 2000 (CIE start)JA - 2001 JB - 2002 JC - 2003 JD - 2004 JE - 2005 JF - 2006 JG - 2007 (Armands in, CIE out)JH - 2008 JI - 2009AJ - 2010 (CIE rarities year)AA - 2011AB - 2012AC - 2013 (Armands out except BB, redesign A line in)As regards tarnishing, I recommend you coat them in paste wax (also called butchers wax). Any brand will do.[img]http://www.housebeautiful.com/cm/housebeautiful/images/Qb/woodcleaner01-0410-xl.jpg[/img]I've found this works if you have shiny cymbals and want to keep fingerprints and sweat away. When stuff gets on them you just wipe them off. If after a time the coating of wax starts to come off, you just re-wax them. This should decrease the amount of time you have to spend keeping them looking shiny.

Great advice! Thank you for the time.The thought occurred to me to put something on them but I thought waxes or similar protectants might dull down the shine. Yeah, finger marks and sweating are THEE main culprits here. Looks like the cymbals will be coming home again! Mister T

Posted on 11 years ago
#4
Posts: 485 Threads: 112

From Matt M

If you are looking for an even easier way to clean them, then Groove Juice will do the trick. Followed by wax.On those cymbals you have no black ink stamps to worry about ruining, and since they are high quality cymbals, Groove Juice will work great.

We didn't try Groove Juice. It seems Zildjian polish paste hasn't changed much in 30 years, so I figured it is still the necessary evil....Will give it a try. Man, why did Zildjian ever start putting the black ink stamps on their cymbals---what a pain to the "keep'em shiny" drummers....thanks Matt. Will let you know results when they come home for a "tune-up." d

Posted on 11 years ago
#5
Posts: 1163 Threads: 36

I hate the black transfers on cymbals. I'm glad when the polish out(although i don't polish all my cyms). Only exception is Constantinoples, I think thats a great bit of artwork that makes the cymbals look somewhat cool.

Zildjian forever!! (although I do have a few nice Sabians which are kind of Zils anyway)

40's Slingerland Radio King WMP
60's Ludwig Downbeat Silver Spark
70's Ludwig Super Classic White Marine
60's Gretsch RB Champaigne Spark
70's Rogers Big R Black
90's Sonor Hilite (Red maple)
00's DW Collectors Broken Glass
00's DW Jazz Series Tangerine Glass
10's DW Collectors (Acrylic) Matt Black Wrap
10's PDP Concept Wood Hoop kit (Maple)
Proud ambassador of the British Drum Company
Posted on 11 years ago
#6
Posts: 214 Threads: 25

Groove Juice is the easiest thing I've found to clean cymbals.

Posted on 11 years ago
#7
Posts: 1671 Threads: 667

I used to know a guy who restored cymbals and INK back to like new condition, this cymbal is one he did for me years ago, he said it took him years to develope a process for this.

Lots of Slingerland drums
70's Pearl Fiberglass Ivory
Posted on 11 years ago
#8
Posts: 53 Threads: 6

It's usually the drum line's responsibility to clean and polish their gear.

She should just supervise while they do the hard work.

Later,

Matt

Posted on 11 years ago
#9
Posts: 152 Threads: 11

Exactly. Let them do it. It will help them appreciate the quality of their gear. Same thing for the drums.

Posted on 11 years ago
#10
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