Ritchie what did you use to clean them with.? My to go to cymbals are all vintage 2002's and 602's but I keep them clean.

I use the Zildjian brand cleaner/polish on my Sabians, but I've also used Brasso before too. Polishing makes mine sound brighter, but I like them that way.

I've heard that some use ketchup. I guess the vinegar in ketchup is the key ingredient.

I cleaned a 50s A zildjian ride, it sounded nice and mellow but I thought cleaning might make an improvement in projection and just a little bit more brightness, instead it just lost its nice mellow tone and the thing that realy spoiled it was it just sounded totaly washy. I suppose though with a splash cymbal you could want that though.

vintagemore2000, I did that with Barkeeper's Friend.

Like I say, I've always been dead set against cleaning cymbals and this is the first one I've ever done. A friend swears by the stuff (and keeping them shiny in general) and it worked pretty well.

Olddrumgeek, losing the dark mellowness of my other cymbals is what I am afraid of. (Er...as dark as an A can be anyhow)

As much as I think I am getting sucked in by the look of shiny clean cymbals, the prospect of scrubbing something like a 24" ride isn't so appealing.

I've done this the past two times I was trying to sell something. I feel that the ketchup method is good because it's A.) cheaper B.) easier (requires a rag and a bath tub or deep sink) C.) more eco-friendly D.) is a good middle of the road between the patina and original brilliance.

Ketchup won't make your pies look brand new, but does help brighten then up a bit, which to me is a good compromise.

Smear, soak, rinse, dry, done.

I've only ever used the Paiste Cymbal cleaner and never had issues. But for me I have always based it cymbal to cymbal. My newer cymbals with the shine get routinely cleaned. While my older Zildjians I tend not to clean. Heck I have a pair of New Beats that are roughly 10 years old. I've been letting them oxidize. I can't explain it, but A's have a way of aging well.

Don't know if you are aware but they have a creme paste now that is super awesome for fine metal surfaces. Not just the powder any longer !?

I use the Paiste cleaner on the newer cymbals. It's very good. Finish it with the clear coat too. I cleaned an old cymbal once to new condition and recorded it before and after. There was no discernible difference to me. I think a cymbal would have to be green to make a difference but everyone hears differently I suppose.

Paiste cymbal cleaner is the only cleaner I have ever used on my paiste cymbals !