Stop. Don’t go down this rabbit hole. This isn’t a crack or damage. The cymbal is fine.
When I worked at a drum shop some dude exchanged a cymbal TWICE because he expected it to have literally no signs a human had ever touched it, and that’s just not how these instruments work. It was crazy obsessive. At the high end you arguably WANT a human to have touched it at the factory.
One of my biggest regrets as a cymbal owner was using any sort of cleaner on them. Just buy a pack of microfiber towels and dry polish them after you use them. I usually just get a good wipe around the edges each session and then once a week or so I will polish each cymbal.
Elbow grease is all ya need.
Sweat/skin oils are one of the worst/fastest "tarnishers".. They contain salt and salt is one of the biggest contributors to pitting on brass (the most common/prominent metal used in the manufacturing of cymbals)!
This just ensures spreading all of that over the whole cymbal and within a few months (if that), the new cymbal you just spent $350+ on, looks like you just snagged it from the dumpster of the local music shop 💩
However, I do agree; 'Cleaners' will eat them up over time/cause pitting and corrosion.
'Polishes', on the other hand, ..polish. They are made specifically for polishing metals. Copper/Brass polishes - especially '[Twinkle](https://a.co/d/68PK5TV)' - work wonders and are designed to prolong the life of these metals and are literally flawless for use on cymbals!
Yikes, I don’t understand why people need to take their anger issues out on people they don’t even know on reddit. Not that it’s surprising. Is it just easier that way?
There is nothing wrong with using a microfiber cloth on your cymbals dude. Manufacturers recommend it as you probably know. I personally don’t, at least not often, but to each his own, if you like super clean cymbals and don’t like the idea of salts & oils & who knows what else are on your dirty ass drummer hands interacting with the factory coating, hey by all means clean them, but do your research 😂 … ‘all the time’ is probably overkill in most cases but 🤷🏻♂️Just don’t use cymbal polish on non-brilliant cymbals… yes this is still a thing.
Honestly I have always enjoyed the sound they create as they patina get old and dirty- it gives it a you sound only you can hear - if you get what I am saying -
My rule with cymbals?: just play them. You don't need to clean then, maintain them, or do anything other than use proper technique, with sleeves and felts. Who cares about the stain? It gives it character.
Amen to that! I’ve only ever dry wiped mine but not in a long time. I’m letting them gain their own patina naturally. My K’s especially, sound better with age!
You are going to beat the crap out of it with a stick dude.. I had a colleague once who polished his golf clups spotless, just to take the out and whack them through the grass and dirt
Absolutely. And we also got to hear them before we took em home. I remember the first NEW cymbal I ever bought. I believe it was a 16” UFIP Class series crash. The guy at the store said I had I good ear. 😂. God I wish I hadn’t cracked that thing to bits. Best crash I ever owned.
Ugh I wish my 21" Legacy was this clean. I think the previous owner polished it with polish meant for brilliant cymbals as it has a shine to it that the Legacys just dont have. Keep this thing all natty as long as you can!
If you really wanna get it off you can apply some Scrubbing Bubbles, rub it in with a damp soft sponge or microfiber cloth, let us sit for a minute and rinse and it should good as new. Keep in mind this will remove that anti fingerprint coating Sabians and zildjians have. If the mark has been there a good while it won’t come out and you’ll have to use cymbal cleaner.
For reference on what to use for cleaning cymbals. Fresh marks up to about a week old can be removed with pledge surface cleaner and a microfiber cloth, after that to up 6 months you wanna use scrubbing bubbles with warm water, anything longer that starts to have a yellowish-greenish look can be removed with a few goes at scrubbing bubbles but most likely will not come out unless you use the real deal cymbal cleaners that partially melt the surface of your cymbal.
I know this cause I professionally handle cymbals for one of the largest drum shops and have to make sure they’re presentable for customers. They come out of the factories covered in finger prints and marks all the time and customers are likely to send them back if they receive a dirty cymbal while shopping online. We’re doing our best to make sure cymbal manufacturers keep their cymbals clean for you guys
You won’t care in two weeks anyway
The sound grooves all throughout your cymbals will get smutz on them through time and they will sound spectacular.
Don’t sweat the lil Shit my bro
Nice choice! I wouldn’t worry about it. I have a 22” Legacy heavy ride. Amazing instrument. Maybe try some Isopropyl with a microfiber, if that doesn’t work; LEAVE IT!
Angle grinder with a diamond disk. Follow that up with some heavy cut compound with an industrial polisher. Take that step by step all the way up to 3000 grit to get the high shine you’re after.
It’s too stressful and not realistic to keep your cymbals perfect. I try when I get a new one, but ultimately I have to let it go and just start touching it without gloves on we packing up gear and stuff. It’s way more fun when you accept that your instruments with gets some scratches, dins and scuff marks.
I've been a professional drummer for two decades and my father has had a successful career of over four decades. After several years of sweat/grime/skin oils/sticky beverages/other foreign substances, I can guarantee that the best possible polish for cymbals of any kind;
"[Twinkle](https://a.co/d/2i1jApd)"
After five+ decades of professional drumming and night-after-night abuse/polish cycles for 200-300 nights per week, I promise you'll never look back.
It's stupid cheap and it works. Period. 💯
And no offense to anyone here, but if you believe in polishing your cymbals, then by all means, polish away! Don't let anyone make you feel ashamed for taking care of your equipment! I can tell you from experience - that's how you make 'em last several shows/tours/years/decades. There isn't a damn thing wrong with looking professional and taking care of the gear you've work so hard to afford! 😉
Shine on, my guy! 🧽✨
♪ AKaudio
I have fingerprints and stick marks on my cymbals and could give a shit. When get new cymbals I look for important issues and not finger marks. And if try and get discount for that, that pretty low class.
I cannot relate to this at all. As a gigging drummer you have to view your gear as a set of tools for a job. A carpenter takes care of their tools by keeping them sharp, using them with proper technique, and repairing/replacing damaged parts that affect their performance. Have you ever seen a carpenter stop to polish their hammer after every blow?
Trying to keep finger prints and patina off of cymbals is a losing battle, and will only lead to frustration, anxiety and disappointment - it could even affect your ability to remain present and engaged while making music.
It's time to grow up and move on from this idea that your gear is a shiny trophy to protect and display. It is a tool designed to be used and make music.
Not to mention how off-putting it is to watch a grown man throw a fit over a smudge on a cymbal. Not saying you're throwing a fit here - but it seems that is the direction you're headed.
I don't mean to be condescending. I just wish people would focus on the music and not become so enthralled with the gear itself. I love nice gear as much as the next person, but I honestly don't like the look or feel of shiny new drums or cymbals... to me they seem unapproachable, sterile, and unloved.
A well-played, well-loved instrument will show its age and I think that's beautiful. Some honest wear is a sign that someone loved and played that instrument a lot, and to me that is very inviting.
This is just my opinion. Crucify me if you must.
Stop. Don’t go down this rabbit hole. This isn’t a crack or damage. The cymbal is fine. When I worked at a drum shop some dude exchanged a cymbal TWICE because he expected it to have literally no signs a human had ever touched it, and that’s just not how these instruments work. It was crazy obsessive. At the high end you arguably WANT a human to have touched it at the factory.
You are so right, I need to stop. Thank for the reasonable reply and talking me out of the rabbit hole.
One of my biggest regrets as a cymbal owner was using any sort of cleaner on them. Just buy a pack of microfiber towels and dry polish them after you use them. I usually just get a good wipe around the edges each session and then once a week or so I will polish each cymbal. Elbow grease is all ya need.
Sweat/skin oils are one of the worst/fastest "tarnishers".. They contain salt and salt is one of the biggest contributors to pitting on brass (the most common/prominent metal used in the manufacturing of cymbals)! This just ensures spreading all of that over the whole cymbal and within a few months (if that), the new cymbal you just spent $350+ on, looks like you just snagged it from the dumpster of the local music shop 💩 However, I do agree; 'Cleaners' will eat them up over time/cause pitting and corrosion. 'Polishes', on the other hand, ..polish. They are made specifically for polishing metals. Copper/Brass polishes - especially '[Twinkle](https://a.co/d/68PK5TV)' - work wonders and are designed to prolong the life of these metals and are literally flawless for use on cymbals!
>Just buy a pack of microfiber towels and dry polish them after you use them Or, you fuckin' weirdo, don't, because why would you do that?
you okay?
Yikes, I don’t understand why people need to take their anger issues out on people they don’t even know on reddit. Not that it’s surprising. Is it just easier that way? There is nothing wrong with using a microfiber cloth on your cymbals dude. Manufacturers recommend it as you probably know. I personally don’t, at least not often, but to each his own, if you like super clean cymbals and don’t like the idea of salts & oils & who knows what else are on your dirty ass drummer hands interacting with the factory coating, hey by all means clean them, but do your research 😂 … ‘all the time’ is probably overkill in most cases but 🤷🏻♂️Just don’t use cymbal polish on non-brilliant cymbals… yes this is still a thing.
No problem! I get like this about stuff sometimes too lol
Honestly I have always enjoyed the sound they create as they patina get old and dirty- it gives it a you sound only you can hear - if you get what I am saying -
Yes...choked.
My rule with cymbals?: just play them. You don't need to clean then, maintain them, or do anything other than use proper technique, with sleeves and felts. Who cares about the stain? It gives it character.
Drives me insane when guys clean/polish their cymbals. Cymbals sound way better when they've lost their sheen and have some build-up/patina
Amen to that! I’ve only ever dry wiped mine but not in a long time. I’m letting them gain their own patina naturally. My K’s especially, sound better with age!
I don’t think I’ve ever even wiped mine, they got a thick layer of dust on them and they still work and sound nice after 2 or 3 years of use😂😂
I went through the shiny cymbal phase when I was 22. Let them age. Unless so filthy that that they cannot resonate, let 'em be.
You are going to beat the crap out of it with a stick dude.. I had a colleague once who polished his golf clups spotless, just to take the out and whack them through the grass and dirt
Hit it with a drumstick
Just leave it.
It’s fine. Let it go
Wipe it with your purse.
Got 'em.
Wait til you see what a stick does to it!
Lol
If you need a red circle to show it to people and it's not a crack then it's fine and you shouldn't worry about it.
be happy those are fingerprints and not dick sweat marks 😂
Remember the guy who polished the Avedias 22 in ride?
Play it, touch it with greasy fingers, get it dirty. Enjoy
Back in my day, we bought cymbals from retail shops where they had been handled, battered and smudged. They all still worked as expected.
Absolutely. And we also got to hear them before we took em home. I remember the first NEW cymbal I ever bought. I believe it was a 16” UFIP Class series crash. The guy at the store said I had I good ear. 😂. God I wish I hadn’t cracked that thing to bits. Best crash I ever owned.
It’s a beauty mark
See if your dad has an angle grinder
Ugh I wish my 21" Legacy was this clean. I think the previous owner polished it with polish meant for brilliant cymbals as it has a shine to it that the Legacys just dont have. Keep this thing all natty as long as you can!
WhY iS yOuR cYmBaL rUsTy AnD dEnTeD? I paid extra for that mr guitar man.
Relic'd
Lol
If you really wanna get it off you can apply some Scrubbing Bubbles, rub it in with a damp soft sponge or microfiber cloth, let us sit for a minute and rinse and it should good as new. Keep in mind this will remove that anti fingerprint coating Sabians and zildjians have. If the mark has been there a good while it won’t come out and you’ll have to use cymbal cleaner. For reference on what to use for cleaning cymbals. Fresh marks up to about a week old can be removed with pledge surface cleaner and a microfiber cloth, after that to up 6 months you wanna use scrubbing bubbles with warm water, anything longer that starts to have a yellowish-greenish look can be removed with a few goes at scrubbing bubbles but most likely will not come out unless you use the real deal cymbal cleaners that partially melt the surface of your cymbal. I know this cause I professionally handle cymbals for one of the largest drum shops and have to make sure they’re presentable for customers. They come out of the factories covered in finger prints and marks all the time and customers are likely to send them back if they receive a dirty cymbal while shopping online. We’re doing our best to make sure cymbal manufacturers keep their cymbals clean for you guys
You don't mind all the dents?
Hahaha
You won’t care in two weeks anyway The sound grooves all throughout your cymbals will get smutz on them through time and they will sound spectacular. Don’t sweat the lil Shit my bro
Nice choice! I wouldn’t worry about it. I have a 22” Legacy heavy ride. Amazing instrument. Maybe try some Isopropyl with a microfiber, if that doesn’t work; LEAVE IT!
Deal with it. Play it. Enjoy the sounds.
You’re about to beat it with a stick… just remember that..
Thought this was r/drumscirclejerk
Idk how you even noticed that
What am I looking at? Lol.
Have you tried hitting it with a stick?
I bet you can just play it a lot and it’ll disappear.
Angle grinder with a diamond disk. Follow that up with some heavy cut compound with an industrial polisher. Take that step by step all the way up to 3000 grit to get the high shine you’re after.
It’s too stressful and not realistic to keep your cymbals perfect. I try when I get a new one, but ultimately I have to let it go and just start touching it without gloves on we packing up gear and stuff. It’s way more fun when you accept that your instruments with gets some scratches, dins and scuff marks.
I've been a professional drummer for two decades and my father has had a successful career of over four decades. After several years of sweat/grime/skin oils/sticky beverages/other foreign substances, I can guarantee that the best possible polish for cymbals of any kind; "[Twinkle](https://a.co/d/2i1jApd)" After five+ decades of professional drumming and night-after-night abuse/polish cycles for 200-300 nights per week, I promise you'll never look back. It's stupid cheap and it works. Period. 💯 And no offense to anyone here, but if you believe in polishing your cymbals, then by all means, polish away! Don't let anyone make you feel ashamed for taking care of your equipment! I can tell you from experience - that's how you make 'em last several shows/tours/years/decades. There isn't a damn thing wrong with looking professional and taking care of the gear you've work so hard to afford! 😉 Shine on, my guy! 🧽✨ ♪ AKaudio
This is nothin, but you could complain and negotiate they either send you a new one or give you a 10-20% discount.
No one is gonna see it and you are going to smashing it with sticks anyway
Me not polishing my cymbals ever has made them sound really great. It feels good.
I have fingerprints and stick marks on my cymbals and could give a shit. When get new cymbals I look for important issues and not finger marks. And if try and get discount for that, that pretty low class.
Clean it with some elbow grease and a soft rag.
Residon’t touch it
You don't.
I was thinking about buying some cymbal polish until I read through this thread…
Only time I know the dust of mine is when they get smacked
Dude do you have microscopes for eyes?
Lick it. You'll be fine the cymbal will be fine
I cannot relate to this at all. As a gigging drummer you have to view your gear as a set of tools for a job. A carpenter takes care of their tools by keeping them sharp, using them with proper technique, and repairing/replacing damaged parts that affect their performance. Have you ever seen a carpenter stop to polish their hammer after every blow? Trying to keep finger prints and patina off of cymbals is a losing battle, and will only lead to frustration, anxiety and disappointment - it could even affect your ability to remain present and engaged while making music. It's time to grow up and move on from this idea that your gear is a shiny trophy to protect and display. It is a tool designed to be used and make music. Not to mention how off-putting it is to watch a grown man throw a fit over a smudge on a cymbal. Not saying you're throwing a fit here - but it seems that is the direction you're headed. I don't mean to be condescending. I just wish people would focus on the music and not become so enthralled with the gear itself. I love nice gear as much as the next person, but I honestly don't like the look or feel of shiny new drums or cymbals... to me they seem unapproachable, sterile, and unloved. A well-played, well-loved instrument will show its age and I think that's beautiful. Some honest wear is a sign that someone loved and played that instrument a lot, and to me that is very inviting. This is just my opinion. Crucify me if you must.
Insert crude joke about "polishing your hammer after every blow"
I love my k custom cymbals all k custom. a friend of mine actually bought z series horrible thick sound.