Paiste cymbals are finished with wax at the factory, nothing acidic should be used to clean them. If you do not care about wax, use Twinkle copper bottom pan cleaner found in most any larger grocery store. I recommend doing this in a bath tub. Apply cleaner to cymbal with supplied sponge, both sides and let the cymbal sit for a few minutes and then rinse. Wash cymbal with Dawn dishwashing detergent, rinse with warm water and dry. When dry, apply Pledge furniture polish for protection. In my 55 years in drumming, this is by far the best method I’ve found Enjoy!!! ps, this will remove inked logos, I just work the cleaner around the logos, not on the logos..
metalmessenger Agreed...I actually started off with a pair of 101 hi-hats and a ride way back in the late 1970's when I was about 11 or 12...lol. They are actually ok. (well the old ones anyway).
How did this video ending up with a 1 : 3 ratio of negative votes ? The guy explains how to clean cymbals with very cheap stuff and with no elbow grease. He shows that it actually works . He speaks clearly, in a language easy to understand for most, where is the problem ? Anyway, I am the thumbs up number 281...and thank you for sharing !
Ok, for all the haters out there. Yes, these cymbals are inexpensive compared to others. That fact doesn't matter. They can serve a purpose for the sound they make. I have a total of 15 different cymbals for my kit. A mixture of Zildjian, Sabian, Meinl and a custom made, one of a kind matching Wuhan Chinese high hats. Made specifically for me, hand delivered by a very good friend of mine who toured the factory and purchased them for me. To me, they are PRICELESS! Guess what? I clean all of my cymbals with SoftScrub and WATER. 😨 As long as you dry them thoroughly, they're fine. Don't freak out over them getting wet. Just think of all the marching bands out there in the rain and snow. Just dry them. BTW, I've been playing for 45 years now.
@@kierenmoore3236 - I'm sorry. They really are the best. My cymbal set up these days are: • Sound Formula 14" Heavy Hi Hats • Alpha 13" Medium Hi Hats (I'm ditching them for 2002 13" Soundwave Hi Hats soon) • Signature Series 20" Dry Ride • Signature Prototype 19" Full Crash • Signature Series 16" Fast Crash • PST X 18" Swiss Thin Crash • Innovations 10" Splash • Signature Reflector 10" Splash • 3000 10" Splash • Rude 18" Novo China It's the best, and most expensive (by far) cymbal set up I've ever had. I worked for it though. I used to play professionally, so I had a lot of cymbals. I sold all my Paiste 1000, 2000, Alpha, 2002, 802, a well as some Sabian AXX, Zildjian Avedis and Meinl Classics. I sold everything except the my Sound Formula 14" hats and the Signature Prototype 19" crash. Adding those eight cymbals to my two was a about $1500. I want to start playing live again.
I cleaned a slightly damaged and dented (but since repaired by me) 20" Zyn China-like cymbal, probably from around 1960, silver bronze (that's bronze with nickel). For those who don't know Zyn: this was a Premier brand, they started in 1950 and closed down in 1984. The cymbals were made in England, and were pretty good. I bought mine as part of a lot, mainly toms and hardware. It was as dirty as a cymbal can get. I used VIM (yes, VIM), mixed with some Dreft (any dish washing liquid will do). I scrubbed it with a nail brush. It's only after the cleaning that I decided to repair, I couldn't evaluate the sound before that. What a great sound this cymbal has!!. I finished it with a machine polishing, a wide felt roller on a drill and some fine polishing paste. Great cymbal to look at, and even better to listen to. I don't use it on my drum kit, it's one of my top percussion cymbals. BTW, the centre hole was too small for modern cymbal stands, it was around 6.5mm. That's another clue for its age.
It's all about acidity. Ketchup (acetic acid from vinegar) and phosphoric acid in the Coca Cola. The pH of table vinegar (5% acetic acid) is about 2.4 and the pH of Coca Cola is about 2.5. Both are relatively similar, but there are additional acids in ketchup like citric acid and a minute amount of ascorbic acid from the tomatoes. I would soak my cymbals in a vinegar bath that's a tad diluted after cleaning the oils from all the cymbal chokes and handling that occurs with a bit of Dawn dish detergent. Soak for about 45 minutes in vinegar (totally submerged), rinse, dry, and then spray with a light protectant like WD40 or silicone. Finish by wiping away the residue and voila, renewed cymbals without too much erosion. You're not going to get a mirror finish like with polishing, but you will maintain more of the darker tones of a factory K that come from all the roughness of the surface. Peace, love, drums.
Cool. Just note that different alloys react differentially. And for cymbals that are not too old- remember that every manufacture uses a different material as a protetive layer. This might end with some staining. With more more expensive cymbals you better try first, whatever your using (including cymbal cleaner fluid), on the inner side of the bell. In
The ketchup actually worked very well for me. I used it on an old Zildjian Earth Ride. They are not easy cymbals to clean. My cymbal was terribly oxidized. I had to let both sides set to 30 minutes each twice per side. Granted I used 1/3 of a bottle of Heinz ketchup. I chose Heinz because it was on sale.
Paiste cymbals come from the factory with a coating. I keep mine waxed with Meguiar's NXT 2.0. If they're used, and trashed, I use ColorX, which is a strong cleaner wax.
Question anyone? I have Sabian-cymbals that are made of all "Bronze" and NOT Brass,so will either of these techniques (ketchup or coke) in any way,"harm" the shine and/or finish of them since it's Bronze and NOT Brass? Thanks.
Or just use Bar Keepers Friend. Apply like the ketchup. Cheaper also! I just did a set of hi-hats and it took me less than 10 mins... and they were pretty tarnished, too.
I use something called 'Twinkle Copper Cleaner'. It is a non-abrasive paste type product you simply wash off the cymbal with warm water, apply the paste in a thin even layer, wait a couple of minutes, then wash it off with warm water and dry the cymbal completely. There is a foam applicator included which can be used to lightly scrub the cymbal as the material is applied. This material works excellent with both sheet B8 and cast type B20 cymbals. It will not remove printed logos and since it is non-abrasive no damage to surface of cymbal and seems to leave a bit of protection on the metal. It will remove dirt, oxidation, and finger prints. Keeps my cymbals nice and shiny.
I bought a product 15 years ago called Shine On cymbal polish.It came in a tin and looks like cotton wool but smells a bit like gun oil.This is by far the best product i've ever used as it's non abrasive unlike the "cream" type cleaners that have minor abrasive tendencies(Think Paiste cleaner in the orange bottle/zildjian cleaner in the black bottle) so your logo's stay intact.As you only take a "pinch" of it to clean each cymbal i still have half a tin left all these years later
Ketchup looks like a try. I started using toothpaste on my drums recently and see good results on the shells finish covering light scratches and shiny Cymbals are newer but it was good to remove stick marks trying toothpaste a little bit. Ketchup is next. You are Correct about scratches and tone changing after using abrasive cleaner. It's because the abrasive metal cleaners remove metal as well as oxidation.
A damp rag is all you should use. The best way to devalue an old K for example is cleaning it. Patina adds character to the cymbal. But then again these cymbals suck no matter what you do to them
+Progamez4u lol. Patina adds character to the cymbal as well as value to old Turkish K cymbals. To clean dirt, Coke or whatever and still preserve patina use a baking soda vinegar mix. Make it into a runny paste, the consistency of wall paper glue but a bit runny and gently clean with soft cloth. Both vinegar and baking soda enhances the natural patina, it won't remove it. But the gunk will be gone leaving a nice clean bronze finish
+Progamez4u I forgot to mention that you need to let the paste dry on the cymbals after lightly cleaning with cloth. Say a couple hours then rinse with warm (not hot) water and dry with bath towel
In the 50+ years I've been playing percussion, I have always depended on Never Dull or, in a pinch, Barkeeper's Friend. ...save the ketchup for eating.
The thing is Paiste and many cymbals are clear coated, so until you buff through the clear coat, not much will change. You clean off the finger prints. One through the clear coat, you can buff, but B8 alloy will tarnish brownish black. B20 retains a nice look with occasional touch up.
I want to use the ketchup method for my cymbals, but I really wonder that can there be any damage for the cymbal logo over it? I dont want to erase logo as I like them otherwise it will look like a piece of junk metal, anyways any reply would be great, thanks.
Guys, it's just an acid reacting to a oxidized metal. You don't need tomato ketchup or coke, or lemons. Just put your cymbals in water with a few tablespoons of vinegar. Same effect.
very nice even though ive never bothered to clean cymbals. ive actually heard the coke company uses coke to clean their machinery. i might try the ketchup sometime. i wonder if it does anything for the green tarnish?
Yes, ketchup does clean most of the top dirt and oil stains, but some deep oxidation from oils from your fingers or sweat that falls on them do tend to need a little light buff to get those out. great thing about using cola and ketchup that they won't take off any printed logos from your cymbals. some of the high-end cleaners will. So for the $ you can't beat this.
Vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda and a soft scrub pad...30 minutes and a good buffing with micro crystalline wax...Brand new look...And they won't smell like a salad...
for years i use lemon juice only and i cover them all when i dont play so no dust stay on them with humidity, no need to clean them very often with those 2 tricks
I'm from the old school - my K's and A's are as shitty as hell....they all have a great timbre. I decided to clean one of the A's; what a mistake, the tone of the cymbal opened right up and no longer sat with the rest of my cymbals. I know they look grubby but I love their more rounded sound Loved the vid, but sorry, I wont be cleaning my metals!!!!
What actually works is Barkeeper's Friend. Lightly with the grain to avoid scratching. I wouldn't do it to new shit but if you have some older stuff, it works pretty fucking well. It will snag the logos so be careful
I always used Brasso on my Zildjian cymbals and NEVER touched them with my bare fingers. When I was still playing, they had a mirror finish. I cringed every time you grabbed onto yours, but hey, they're not Zildjians so no harm done. :-)
Please keep in mind, the Paiste 101's are brass and not bronze- ketchup works great for brass but if you have a finished bronze cymbal there are other methods that work a little better to preserve the finish. Nice video though!
is it okay to use vinegar in cleaning cymbals?.. i dont know wat to use in cleaning our cymbals.. i dont have much money thats why im seeking for the cheap one that dont change the sound of our ziljan.. im just scared of trying because it might ruin the sound of our cymbals..
interesting test mate. thank you for your time and results. they are received with gratitude from fellow musicians alike. ps-enjoy an occasional coke a cola, its a good drink.
The common thread between these two ingredients is a very diluted acid. Citric and Phos. It is the acid that is doing the work. I have even heard of Lemons being used. Folks, please use an approved cymbal cleaner. The ingredients are precisely measured and consistent.
I wonder what vinager and some baking soda would do with just a little bit of elbow grease. That's how I safely clean old coins. Gets years and years of old dirt and grime off after soaking over night and using an old tooth brush.
Nice ideas....I’m lazy enough to try it....Also, for all the picky people on here who think a cymbal is easy to break/ruin.....It’s brass people.....Brasso and all the other cleaners are so harsh you would freak out if you knew what’s in it.....Ketchup is a mild acidic and so is coke....It’s probably the most gentle of substances you can use on your cymbals. Did you guys not pass Chemistry 101??? Good job mate!!!! Nice idea and a good way to extend the life of your cymbals.
The ketchup may work a bit better the Coke, but 30% Lemon Juice, & the rest water works MUCH better. Just did that and was very surprised at the results. (& less of a smell than ketchup and/or vinegar). Can even cut a lemon in half and wipe it down with the lemon itself. Then rinse & dry off thoroughly.
WARNING : Dont leave the ketchup on the cymbal for more than 20 minutes. The ketchup will turn green and then green stains and a blurr will be left on the cymbal's surface. Also dont try eating the ketchup on the cymbal with fries it doesnt taste good.
Coca Cola is a good paint remover also. Tomato Sauce is new to me, interesting. The only thing I will say to higher end cymbal owners like Paiste Signatures, is Paiste does use a protectant over the finish so using their Paiste Cymbal Cleaner is best to not remove that. Some products are so toxic they can remove the protectant and blast stain the cymbal. A product called Groove Juice was a major culprit of destroying finishes on cymbals years ago. I have no idea if they are still around today, but I saw that work and determined it was similar to STP used as a rust remover on metals.
when i did the ketchup one it looked great for a day or so and then the cymbal turned an weird red tarnished color? so i ended up scrubbing it and got it off but left it scratched....not sure what happened but i wouldnt recommend doing it
Elvin Jones would have given you a good argument...his old K's were cleaned on a regular basis. You're statement is flawed brother, dirt clogs the grooves and actually takes away from the sound characteristics of the instrument. After all you wouldn't leave your old vinyl records with crap on them would you?
WOW! Thanx for all those who have watched and left some great comments, stay tuned as for my next video I will be using some normal kitchen products to clean my cymbals with - A scouring pad and scouring powder, I hear they get them real shiny. Thanx for watching.
Paiste makes a cleaner that is specifically designed for their cymbals based on the metals they use to make them. But since you’re using your own method on Paiste 101 series cymbals, is really doesn’t matter.... There’s an old saying, “you can’t polish a turd”...
I dislike when people put down a good bottle of refreshing Coke nothing wrong with it it's just a drank I know it's not good for you but it tastes good to me
The vinegar in the tomato sauce is what did the cleaning as it is a mild acid. Next time try vinegar and salt as this cleans copper very well but be careful, do not let that mix stand too long.
Though the tomato in the ketchup has some acidic properties, it would be the other ingredient, vinegar, which may have been had the more active role for cleaning. I often use vinegar with baking soda to clean the kitchen, the bath, and appliances. Perhaps it will also work well on cymbals. At least it will cost less than ketchup.
Rub a little wd40 on them when your done and you'll never have to do this again. All I have to do is use a clean cloth to wipe them down and then another coat of wd40. Takes 5 minutes.
I don't think this will harm cymbals but is it cheaper than a standard cymbal cleaner? I don't think so. So don't waste food on this. (Actualy I don't consider coke as food but it still is more expansive than a cleaner). And there are other ways to get cheaper organic acid like lemmon. Thanks for the effort anyway. It's good to know the results :)
conocí formas raras y técnicas para limpiar platillos...pero esta realmente me liquidó. te recomendaría usar aceite fino en aerosol, una pequeña capa y luego le pasas un trapito suave... y ademas te queda una capa de protección y por favor nada ne agua...
if youve got a really dirty and oxidized cymbal use toilet bowl cleaner. the reason the ketchup and coke sort of work is because of the acid in them. toilet bowl cleaner has phosphoric acid and it eats away everything. unfortunately say good bye to your logos. but you would not believe its the same cymbal afterwards. like it just came off the lathe. note, wear gloves , apply the cleaner generouslt to a towel and then apply to the cymbal. it doesnt take long maybe a minute or two.
cool video. but with the products featured you can buy a $10 thing of cleaner. Get acid-free and make sure you do it outside (black stuff on carpet etc) and avoid logos. I am too much of a cymbal snob to saturate my cymbal in ketchup lol. But interesting video nonetheless!
well i wouldn't use this method on my vintage K series full set from the 60's i'd never clean them it loses their value, but okay if your into using cheaper cymbals like those hi hats