Did you know that something as simple as dirt can affect the sound of your cymbals?
Some people never think to buff up their metalware. However, clean cymbals have a much brighter sound when played. Not to mention they just look nicer in general, too!
When it comes time to give your cymbals a good clean, you want to make sure that you use the right kind of cymbal cleaner.
Using the wrong kind of product could end up doing more harm than good.
With so many different types of products on the market, it can be tricky trying to find the best cymbal cleaner.
How can you be sure that the product you’ve selected will be able to clean your cymbals effectively without damaging them?
That’s where we come in! We’ve done all the research so that you don’t have to.
All of the products we’ve selected come highly recommended by fellow drummers, so you can rest assured that they will be able to deliver quick, effective results.
OUR TOP PICK
To get the very best out of your cymbals, Zildjian Brilliant Cymbal Polish is a perfect choice.
This particular product has been designed by one of the world's leading manufacturers of cymbals, so it’s safe to say that they know their stuff.
You get 8 ounces in a single bottle, so this will be more than enough to give all of your cymbals the once over and then some.
This particular cymbal cleaner is simple and easy to use. You’ll be able to get your cymbals shining in no time at all once you’ve applied this polish to them.
All it takes is one quick and easy application to bring out the shine of your cymbals.
What’s really great about this particular cymbal cleaner is that it’s suitable for use with all Zildjian cymbals, including cast and sheet cymbals.
It’s a very powerful polish that will have your cymbals gleaming in a matter of minutes.
Make sure to carefully clean around any logos or writing, as the polish will take this off if rubbed too hard.
You can rest assured that this cymbal cleaner won’t damage your cymbals when used properly.
Ensure that you apply the polish, spread it with a paper towel, remove any excess polish, then allow the polish to settle for around 15 seconds or so.
Then you can press firmly to remove the polish. Zildjian recommends only using cymbal polish with brilliant finish cymbals.
Pros
- Brilliant finish - best used with brilliant finish cymbals for a shinier finish
- Easy to use - fairly straightforward to apply to your cymbals
- Quick polishing - don’t have to wait ages to get results
Cons
- Only certain cymbals - not recommended for use with traditional finish, Kerope, or ZXT Titanium cymbals
EDITORS CHOICE
The Groove Juice percussion cleaning is a great choice for your dirty cymbals. This particular cymbal cleaner will be able to get your cymbals gleaming within minutes.
Simply spray onto your cymbal, then wipe it off using a soft cloth or paper towel. It couldn’t be simpler!
This particular cymbal cleaner has been specially formulated for use on high quality professional bronze cymbals.
Another great feature is that this cleaner shouldn’t affect your logos all that much. Logos will be left intact for the majority of cymbals.
However, if you want to keep them looking great, you can always clean around them.
It’s recommended that you test a small area of your cymbal first to ensure that this will be the right fit for your particular cymbal.
You won’t have to scrub away for ages to remove any leftover residue. Simply rinse with warm water then towel dry afterward.
It couldn’t be easier to restore your cymbals to their former glory.
This will be the preferred choice for those who don’t want to have to use a lot of elbow grease with cream based cleaners.
What’s really great about this cymbal cleaner is how quick and straightforward it is to use.
You won’t have to worry about scrubbing away with a polish paste as you do with competitive products. Simply spray it on, then leave the cleaner to do its job.
Pros
- Quick - apply and rinse for quick, thorough cleaning
- Easy to use - simply spray on, then rinse off with warm water
- Versatile - can be used with most cymbals
Cons
- Odor - recommended using outside to prevent any lingering odors
BEST VALUE
The MusicNomad Premium cymbal cleaner is a good choice if you have brilliant finish cymbals. This particular cymbal cleaner works to clean, polish, and protect the shiny, eye-catching finish of your cymbals.
So they’ll be able to keep looking great for many years to come and keep on producing that great sound.
An interesting feature of this particular cymbal cleaner is that it makes use of an acid-free formula.
This means there won’t be any unpleasant odors when you apply the cymbal polish, and it works to safely restore shine without stripping away anything important.
This particular cymbal cleaner makes use of micro-fine polishing that doesn’t contain any harsh, caustic chemicals.
Another great feature of this cymbal cleaner is that it leaves a protective layer that actively works to reduce oxidation.
So once you’ve applied this cymbal cleaner to your cymbals, it will still be working to keep the cymbals looking great.
This particular cymbal cleaner works in a similar way to the Zildjian polish. You will need to apply it to your cymbals, wipe off any excess, then use a cloth to rub away at the cymbals for great results.
Remember to be careful around logos if you want to keep them on your cymbals.
Pros
- Acid-free formula - doesn’t use any harsh chemicals
- Great results - works to clean, polish, and protect your brilliant finish cymbals
- No oxidation - polish works to protect the cymbals from oxidation
Cons
- Brilliant finishes - only designed for use on brilliant finish cymbals
RUNNER UP
This Sabian Safe and Sound cymbal cleaner has everything you need for effective cleaning.
This particular cymbal cleaner works to effectively clean your cymbals while also maintaining great performance.
So you won’t have to worry about them having a detrimental effect on your cymbals’ sound.
This particular cymbal cleaner is acid-free. It doesn’t use any harsh chemicals to get those great results, so you won’t have to worry about it damaging your cymbals. This acid-free nature also means it won’t leave any nasty chemical smells on your cymbals once they’ve been cleaned.
The Sabian Safe and Sound cymbal cleaner gives you effective results. This cymbal cleaner works to remove marks and dirt so that your cymbals will last you for many years to come. Great if you want to protect their longevity!
The Sabian Safe and Sound cymbal cleaner is easy to use. Simply shake well before use, apply to your cymbals, apply the polish to a soft, clean cloth, then work the cymbal cleaner along the tone grooves of your cymbal. It’s recommended to avoid contact with logos as they may be removed.
Pros
- Easy to use - simply shake bottle and apply to a soft, clean cloth to use
- Acid-free - doesn’t use any harsh chemicals to get effective results
- Effective cleaning - works to remove dirt and marks from your cymbals for longevity
Cons
- Time consuming - applying the cream cymbal cleaner can take a bit of time
RUNNER UP
The Zims cymbal and hardware cleaner is the perfect thing if you want to add a sparkle to your whole kit.
This particular cymbal cleaner has been designed to work with both cymbals and other drum hardware that needs cleaning.
What’s really great about this cymbal cleaner is that it’s super easy to use. You won’t have to worry about spending ages rubbing with this cymbal cleaner in your hands.
All you need to do is spray it on, then leave it to do its magic. You can then rinse off the cleaner with warm water and a clean cloth.
The Zims cymbal cleaner relies on a chemical reaction to get your cymbals looking as good as new.
This cymbal cleaner will make short work of even the most stubborn marks. Simply apply the Zims cymbal cleaner, and you can remove them in a matter of minutes.
The Zims cymbal cleaner makes use of organic acid detergents for strong and effective results.
You’ll get 16 ounces in a single bottle of Zims cymbal and hardware cleaner. This will be more than enough to tackle all of the cymbals in your collection that need a bit of TLC.
This particular cleaner works just as well on chrome stands as it does on cymbals.
Pros:
- Effective cleaning - relies on organic acid detergents to get rid of stubborn marks and dirt
- Easy to use - simply spray on, leave for a few seconds, then rinse off with warm water
- Versatile - can be used for both cymbals and chrome stands
Cons:
- Brilliant finishes - best used with brilliant finishes
Best Cymbal Cleaner Buying Guide
Searching for the best cymbal cleaner can be a challenge. There are so many different types of metal cleaners and polishes that it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
You may be tempted to just buy a cheap metal cleaner to save you all the hassle. However, cleaners and polishes that haven’t been designed for use with cymbals can end up doing more harm than good.
You could even damage your cymbal beyond repair if you use the wrong product.
Not to worry! We’ve compiled a helpful list to show you everything you need to consider before buying the best cymbal cleaner for your drum kit.
As long as your chosen product has the below points covered, you can rest assured that it will be perfect for your needs.
Take a look at everything you need to know about cymbal cleaners below, or skip ahead to the frequently asked questions.
Easy to use
You should of course choose a cymbal cleaner that will be easy to use.
There’s nothing worse than a cleaner that comes with a list of instructions as long as your arm. A cymbal cleaner should be making your life easier, not harder!
Look for a cymbal cleaner that will be easy to use. You won’t want to be sitting there scrubbing for hours to get that shine back into your cymbals.
Take a look at the instructions before you purchase your new cymbal cleaner. Does it suit your needs?
Or does it come with a complicated list of instructions that will make sure it remains firmly at the bottom of your kit bag?
Specific cymbals
It’s important to remember that the vast majority of cymbal cleaners can only be used with certain cymbals.
The cymbals that really need any kind of regular cleaning are those with brilliant finishes. This is because they have been designed to have that beautiful shiny look.
Cymbals that feature traditional finishes or those that have been made from certain metals such as titanium are best left alone.
Traditional finishes have that slightly tarnished look because it gives them a certain sound. So if you use your new cymbal cleaner with them, it will alter the sound of your cymbals.
We’d suggest sticking with a product that specifically says it’s perfect for use with brilliant finishes.
Spray vs cream
The main factor you will have to consider is whether you prefer a spray or a cream. This will mostly come down to personal preference.
Creams are one of the more popular cymbal cleaners. These are applied to the cymbal, spread out with a paper towel, then the excess polish is removed.
You should then leave the polish to settle for a few seconds before starting to remove it. You will need to do quite a bit of vigorous scrubbing to get this off.
It’s also important to avoid applying it to any logos or writing, as this cream can remove them when rubbed too firmly. Naturally, this cleaning method can take a bit of time.
Sprays are much simpler to use. All you need to do is spray them onto your cymbal, allow them to do their work, then rinse them off with warm water.
Some people prefer these as they find them easier to use. However, if your cymbals are looking in poor condition and are a little bit crusty, then more vigorous cleaning may be needed.
Acid vs acid-free
Another factor to consider is whether you want a cymbal cleaner that uses acid or is acid-free. This will mostly determine whether the cymbal cleaner comes with a chemical odor or not.
Some acids can also be harmful to certain cymbals. Cleaners that use an acid base are best used outside to prevent any nasty odors from lingering inside.
An acid-free cymbal cleaner will be much kinder on your lungs and nose. You also won’t have to worry about using them outdoors.
However, they may not be as effective at cleaning your cymbals, depending on the state of your cymbals.
Value for money
Of course you will want to get great value for your money. This will depend on buying the right cymbal cleaner for your needs.
You should take a look at your cymbals beforehand. How much of a state are they in? Have they been left to fester for too long? Or do they just need more of a light touch up of polish?
The crustier your cymbals are looking, the more powerful a cleaner you’ll have to go for. You’ll have to opt for a cream or acid based cleaner that’s able to really get to work on the dirty surface.
If your cymbals only need a little bit of TLC, then the world is your oyster.
You’ll be free to opt for whichever cymbal cleaning product you prefer, whether that be cream or spray.
As long as your new cymbal cleaner does an effective job, it should be well worth the investment. You should also take a look at the size of the bottle you’re purchasing.
While a smaller bottle may seem like you’re saving money, chances are you’ll end up having to spend twice as much just to get the amount of cymbal cleaner you need for all of your cymbals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cymbal cleaner?
The best cymbal cleaners are:
- Zildjian Brilliant Cymbal Polish
- Groove Juice Percussion Cleaning
- MusicNomad Premium Cymbal Cleaner
- Sabian Safe and Sound Cymbal Cleaner
- Zims Cymbal and Hardware Cleaner
How do you clean dirty cymbals?
To clean dirty cymbals, simply apply the cream to your cymbals. Spread the cream along the tonal grooves, then remove any excess cream.
Allow the cream to settle for a few seconds, then begin to rub firmly along the tonal grooves to clean the cymbals. Remember to be careful of any logos, as rubbing at these can remove them.
If using a spray cymbal cleaner, simply spray it onto your cymbal. Allow it to settle for a few seconds up to a minute, then rinse off the cleaner.
Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth. Remember to be careful of any logos or writing.