Here's my theory: Why clean them? They're just going to get dirty again.
Seriously. Does anyone remember the metal cleaner that came in a little, round metal tin, that had what looked like old furniture stuffing in it? It was saturated with something clear and it worked like magic. I don't recall any grit or abrasion occurring with cleaning - maybe letter removal. I'm not even sure it was made for cymbal use. Just curious.
I think you may be referring to Never-Dull. That stuff works great on chrome, but I've never tried it on cymbals.
I've tried the Never-Dull on an old no name cymbal and it works! Now, there is a catch... it does leave very, very fine scratches (think super fine steel wool). In short, leave the Never-Dull for the chrome. Simple soap and water with a plastic bristle brush is the way to go. If you want to get nasty about it, Groove Juice will take off everything and it's not abrasive (not my style though). I agree that filthy is bad, but I don't mind dirty.
I've tried the Never-Dull on an old no name cymbal and it works! Now, there is a catch... it does leave very, very fine scratches (think super fine steel wool). In short, leave the Never-Dull for the chrome. Simple soap and water with a plastic bristle brush is the way to go. If you want to get nasty about it, Groove Juice will take off everything and it's not abrasive (not my style though). I agree that filthy is bad, but I don't mind dirty.
If it leaves scratches or swirl marks it is by definition abrasive and in my book a no no, unless the look of the cymbal is more important than anything else. Cymbals may be made of metal, but first and formost they are musical instruments.
Well I tried soap and water last night and though it did remove some dust it didn't do anything for the unsightly sticking marks....
And to whether or not to clean them when they'll just get dirty again. I look at my new (to me) vintage kit as a fine classic car and I surely would roll around in it with 1958 dirt and grunger on it... .02.
Being that I never had any scratching, the product I used must not have been "Never Dull". Like I mentioned, there were no scratches - I still own 3 cymbals and a set of hats that were cleaned with the stuff, way back when. Does anyone have an electron microscope I can borrow, to provide proof. I may have to use a "Life-line", to recall the product name.
These days, I just use Paiste's cymbal cleaner. Good, bad, or who gives a poop, it makes them nice and shiny.
I cleaned a $500 pair of silver plated candlesticks I had years ago with Never Dull,and it scratched the S%&T out of them! I was furious!
