Cymbal Patina, and How to Clean and Polish Cymbals
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Cymbals are a beautiful part of your drum set up, both in their appearance and the unique sound characteristics they bring to your art.
Over time, however, they can accumulate dirt, grime, and tarnish, diminishing their sound quality and appearance. To keep your cymbals in top-notch condition, it's a good idea to clean and maintain them properly.
I cleaned and polished an old Zildjian A ride cymbal with years of grime and patina using these steps.
In this guide, I'll walk you through the step-by-step process of cleaning your cymbals, show you how to polish them to a brilliant shine.
I’ll show you the steps I took to clean one of my cymbals in the process: a very old Avedis Zildjian ride with rivets. This cymbal had some serious grime and patina due to its age. I wanted to bring back that shine and get this beauty singing.
We’ll also discuss what cymbal patina is, and whether you should clean it off your lids.
Let’s dive in.
How to Clean Cymbals: Step by Step
Supplies you’ll need to clean and polish a cymbal: warm slightly soapy water, gloves, a sponge or brush, a microfibre cloth, cymbal cleaner.
Cleaning your cymbals doesn't need to be too time consuming or expensive. These are the steps I took to clean my old Zildjian A that was well overdue a serious clean:
1. Gather Supplies
You'll need a few simple items, including warm water, mild dish soap, a soft-bristle brush or sponge, a microfiber cloth, and a pair of gloves to protect your hands.
There are also specialist cymbal cleaning products. I used Sabian’s Safe and Sound Cymbal Cleaner.
To polish your cymbals you can use a specialist cymbal polish product described below.
2. Remove Cymbals from the Drum Kit
Take your cymbals off your drum kit to clean them more thoroughly and avoid damaging felt, stands or drums by getting them wet.
3. Preparation
Fill a bucket with warm water and add a few drops of mild dish soap. I made sure it was soapy but not overly foamy.
4. Scrub Gently
Clean an old cymbal with mildly soapy water, gently scrubbing using a soft sponge.
I used a sponge dipped into the soapy water and gently scrubbed the cymbals' surfaces. There were noticeable patches of dirt that came off just with the soapy water.
Be careful not to use abrasive materials or apply excessive pressure to avoid scratching! I also wore gloves to protect my drumming hands.
5. Rinse Thoroughly
After you've removed as much dirt and grime as you can without scratching the cymbal, rinse your cymbals thoroughly with clean, warm water. Ensure that no soap residue remains.
I found some stains remained, but I didn't;t ant to damage the cymbal. This is an old lid after all so some staining is part of the character.
6. Dry with a Microfiber Cloth
Use a clean, soft microfiber cloth to dry your cymbals completely. Pat them down rather than rubbing, which can prevent micro-scratches.
It’s very important that you don’t leave any moisture on your cymbals as this can damage them.
How to Polish Cymbals: Step by Step
After you’ve cleaned your cymbals you may want to give them a final polish to restore their original shine. Here's how I polished my old Zildjian A ride cymbal:
1. Use a Great Polishing Agent
Polish your cymbals using a reputable branded polishing agent, such as this Sabian Cymbal Cleaner.
To polish your cymbals, you can use a DIY paste, however I recommend a specialist product from a reputable drumming brand to ensure your cymbals’ appearance or sound quality aren’t damaged and the shine sparkles to its full potential.
Here I used the Sabian Safe and Sound Cymbal Cleaner, which acts as a polish as well as general cleaner.
I applied a generous amount to several parts of the cymbal and rubbed it in with a microfibre cloth.
2. Wait for the Polish to Dry
Allow the polish to dry on the cymbals for a few minutes. I noticed a lot of grime appeared to come to the surface, creating a dark haze across the cymbal.
3. Buff it up
Take a clean, dry microfiber cloth and buff the cymbals in a circular motion. Continue this process until the black residue has gone, and the cymbal starts to shine. You can repeat this as many times as you like. It will get shinier with more buffing.
4. Repeat as Needed
An old Avedis Zildjian ride cymbal after cleaning and polishing.
Depending on the condition of your cymbals, you may need to repeat the polishing process a few times to achieve the best results.
I repeated it a couple of times. There are still a few smudges that will probably never go due to this cymbal’s age. But It really looks great - its original shine has been restored.
What is Cymbal Patina?
Cymbal patina is a natural, tarnished layer that forms on the surface of cymbals over time. It happens to many cymbals when they react with oxygen and moisture, and it often gives cymbals a unique, aged appearance with sometimes green patches.
Some drummers like the character and tonal changes that patina can bring to their cymbals.
Avedis Zildjian cymbals with mild patina. Some drummers choose to let patina develop to establish vintage, warm and unique sounds. Others choose to clean it off for a shiny appearance and bright sound.
Is Cymbal Patina Bad?
Whether cymbal patina is "bad" or not is personal preference. Patina can change the sound of a cymbal by darkening its tone slightly.
Some drummers like the warmer, richer sound that patina can produce, while others prefer the bright, pristine tones of a polished cymbal.
Think about your musical style and personal taste when deciding whether to remove cymbal patina or give your lids a shine up.
Should I Clean Off Cymbal Patina?
The decision to clean off cymbal patina ultimately comes down to personal preference.
If you like the shiny, brilliant appearance and the brighter tonal characteristics of a polished cymbal, then get removing that patina with a reputable polishing agent such as Sabian’s Cymbal Cleaner.
However, if you like the unique look and the warmer, darker tones produced by patina, there's no harm in leaving it as is.
Summary
Cleaning and polishing your cymbals is a straightforward process that can extend their lifespan and maintain their sonic quality. Follow the steps I took here to bring even very old cymbals back to life.
Choosing a good cymbal cleaner is important, but deciding whether to keep or remove cymbal patina comes down to your musical style and personal taste.
Regardless of your decision, regular maintenance will keep your cymbals ready to deliver their best performance in any musical setting.
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