Every time I shine ANY chrome be it wheels, drums, kitchen faucets etc. the rag turns a grayish black color. I have the same snare you have and didnt see any damage after I cleaned 'er up. Wait for an old timer to ring in on this to be sure as I have only cleaned one snare, ever, but I think the discoloring of the rag is pretty standard when cleaning chrome.

have a wonderful evening

drumhackx-mas3x-mas1:Snow Flake:x-mas2

Thanks, the inside of this shell isn't chrome like the outside- it's a more flat, duller finish.

Just wondering how this post got in the "non-USA drums" section of the forum?

User error - I finally entered it in the right forum, sorry.

I got a Blue strata Pearl floor tom from the 60's if someone is interested. Im looking to trade it for any interesting vintage drum or parts.

The interior of those shells is finished with a flat grey tarnish retardant paint. This is what is coming off on your cloths as you clean it. As to a solution to the problem, either retouch the grey color, polish it all out of the interior shell, or leave it alone and try cleaning he interior with compressed air or a vacuum cleaning attachment. I learned the hard way! crying2-07 Laughing H