Paiste Brass-Tones 20" Power Ride

Wiki cymbal cleaning supplemental

before and after

The three stages of cleaning a very tarnished cymbal

The three stages of cleaning another very tarnished cymbal

Before and after on an absurdly oxidised cymbal!

My journey to find the perfect cymbal cleaner.

Patina, Tarnish, corrosion, oxidation... what is it, how does it happen and more importantly, how do you get rid of it? A little chemistry lesson 1st:

Wikipedia:
"Copper does not react with water, but it does slowly react with atmospheric oxygen to form a layer of brown-black copper oxide which, unlike the rust that forms on iron in moist air, protects the underlying metal from further corrosion (passivation). A green layer of verdigris (copper carbonate) can often be seen on old copper structures, such as the roofing of many older buildings and the Statue of Liberty. Copper tarnishes when exposed to some sulfur compounds, with which it reacts to form various copper sulfides."
Patina, also referred to as precious rust or copper rust, is a dull corrosion layer that forms on the surface of primarily copper objects and copper-containing alloys (such as bronze) as a result of oxidation of the metal when exposed to air and moisture. The color of this layer can vary from green to dark brown. The difference in color has to do with the much more aggressive effect of the acid in rain than the much calmer oxidation of the copper with only the oxygen from the air. The formation of a patina layer can take decades. Natural copper patinas consist of basic copper compounds (carbonate, sulfate and chloride).

"Tin resists corrosion from water, but can be corroded by acids and alkalis. Tin can be highly polished and is used as a protective coat for other metals, a protective oxide (passivation) layer prevents further oxidation"

Note: I exchange the terms "tarnish", "corrosion" and "oxidation" throughout this article, my intention is they have the same meaning.

Cleaning experience attained over decades of cleaning cymbals:

I have been using and cleaning Paiste cymbals since 1980. Since day one, I have strived to find the perfect cleaner that won't remove the clear coat or labels from the cymbal but will clean off fingerprints and oxidation.
From my experience of owning both B8 and B20 cymbals, I have found that B8 cymbals tend to oxidize/tarnish very quickly (it's assumed this is from the high copper to tin ratio) if they are not coated or if the clear coat has been worn off, this can happen in a matter of hours (see pictures below).
I speculate that when Paiste first produced their B8 cymbals in the mid 1960s, they realized they would have to coat them in order to keep them from immediately tarnishing and oxidizing. There was no way they could sell new cymbals with the change in color and with dark fingerprints on them. I believe this is when they started applying a clear coat on their new B8 cymbals and soon after, applied it to all thier other series.
The salt and sweat, from your fingers tends to be mildly corrosive to the alloy, especially B8, this tends to work its way through the clear coat and start to eat away or oxidize the copper in the alloy (in severe cases, if left in that condition of years). When the oxidation is removed (usually by a mild acid in the cleaner), the oxidized material will be removed as well. You see the same effect but on a much larger scale when rust has been removed from steel and the pitting is revealed. After removing the tarnish(i.e. with Flitz tarnish spray) what you have left is a smooth matte finish, not shiny, but rather dull looking (see picture below.
When a polish is applied, you can bring back the shine of the cymbal, but it will never regain the original texture/finish because material was removed from the oxidation process permanently changing the surface texture, the cymbal will have more of a "brilliant" polished finish (see pictures below) after cleaning.

This cymbal was cleaned and then wiped with Windex on edge to get rid of a fingerprint
This is a closeup 24 hours later
This cymbal was cleaned and not coated, this is the result 24 hours later
comparison to a coated cymbal
This cymbal has had the oxidation chemically removed, what is left is a dull "matte" finish

Cleaning tip: Always, Always rub/wipe the cleaner along the lathing grooves (in a curved motion) when cleaning a cymbal, never "across" them! I have have seen countless cleaning videos where the user rubs the cleaner in a back and forth pattern across the lathing or in small circles like when waxing a car! Doing this will wear off the clear coat on the top of the lathing groves and leave swirl marks all over the cymbal (depending on how abrasive the cleaner is). It is also recommended you use the same technique when applying any type of coating/protector.

Note: Abrasives will tend to remove ink logos and clear coat, acids will break down the dark stains of tarnish/oxidation.

To clean or not to clean, that is the question!

For decades and decades, there has always been the controversy on whether or not you should clean your cymbals or let them oxidize tarnish to build up a “patina”.
Many say that this builds “character” in the cymbal, the basic truth is, dirt and corrosion tarnish will dull the cymbal reduce the high frequencies and sustain. How much of an effect this has on the overall sound is very hard to quantify, but careful A/B tests before and after cleaning does show some difference.
My take on this whole situation is when a new cymbal is originally designed/developed, the designer doesn't take it and bury it in this backyard for three months trying to get it to oxidise, tarnish and corrode and then say "that's the sound I’m looking for"!
A new cymbal sound is developed when the cymbal is clean, not dirty and tarnished. Therefore, my thinking is; I want my vintage cymbal to resemble as closely as possible the cymbal that left the factory when it was made. I can't account for wear and tear and metal fatigue, but what I can do is make the cymbal as clean as it was when it left the factory.
Letting cymbal tarnish and build up a patina is great for jazz drummers if you're looking for a dark, dull, trashy, dirty sound, I am not of that school, so I try to get my cymbals to resemble as closely as possible when they were created! The last point is the visual aspect: because of the hammering techniques and use of a clear coat, Paiste cymbals have a distinct look and shine compared to any other brand.

Reviews:

Here's my experience with several different cleaners I have used and tested, I put them in order of most gentle to most abrasive.
I have also added two ratings for each cleaner effectiveness and abrasiveness each coating/protector for their effectiveness (scale 1 to 10):

Soap & water

Effectiveness: 2
Abrasiveness: 0

If the cymbal is relatively new, soap (dish detergent), water and a paper towel will get the salt, oil and dirt from your fingers off of the cymbal so it doesn't start to degrade the clear coat and corrode the alloy. Really only effective on newer cymbals.

Cymbal soap:

Effectiveness: 3
Abrasiveness: 0
Better cleaner than plain dish detergent, more effective at removing fingerprints, rub it in until it dries then wash the cymbal with soap & water, will leave a nice shine when dried.

Flitz spray/tarnish remover:

Effectiveness: 11+
Abrasiveness: 0

"This one goes to eleven"!
Flitz tarnish remover spray will breakdown the worst green tarnish/oxidation in seconds (see video below).
The drawback is it will leave the alloy "bare/exposed" and ready to oxidize/tarnish immediately, the cymbal must be washed with soap & water afterward to remove the remnants and then dried ASAP. It must then be coated ASAP before it starts to change color!
Wear cloves! I found it irritated my hands, I also found pouring it on a paper towel and wiping it on is much more effective than spraying. Also, the mist created by the spray is very irritating to the eyes (do not get in you eyes!).
Do not leave on for more than about a minute or the cymbal will start to change color and eventually turn black if left to dry (ask me how I know this!)! For extremely tarnished corroded cymbal, I used a worn slightly abrasive scotch brite pad to "work" the worst spots of corrosion.

Contains: Dioxane and "Urea Monohydro-Chloride" which is acidic.

Flitz spray in action, I'm wearing gloves, a mask and glasses

Klasse all in one

Effectiveness: 5 (cleaning ability)
Abrasiveness: 1

I've listed this product twice because it's both a cleaner and a "sealer". Very effective for cymbals with a clear coat and moderate dirt, uses an "acrylic-based" coating, not sure if it has an abrasive, but is effective at cleaning moderately dirty cymbals, should be safe for ink logos and clear coat.
Works best on cymbals without a clear coat, does both jobs simultaneously! Acrylic coating/finish is slightly hazy compared to the bare alloy.

Contains: Acrylic based coating, other ingredients unknown, abrasives unknown or not present.

Blue magic:

Effectiveness: 6
Abrasiveness: 4

Smelly (contains Ammonia) and messy but easy on ink labels, the cleaner will take them off if rubbed long and hard enough, it is gentle on the clear coat, if used lightly, it will actually polish the clear coat (see example below). Best practice is to rub off cleaner in multiple stages using clean paper towels, this process will actually help polish the finish of the cymbal. Washing with soap and water will not remove all of the remnants (slight dark tinge to the finish will remain).
I have found a very light diluted (with water) coating of Barkeeper's soft cleanser will bring out the rest of the Blue magic cleaner (paper towel will turn black). Wash with soap & water and dry ASAP, then coat cymbal if it doesn't have a clear coat. I've used this process on most of my cymbals that were fairly to moderately dirty.

Contains: Oleic Acid, Aluminium Oxide (abrasive), Ammonium Hydroxide, Silicone.

clear coat is rough
after Bluemagic, clear coat has been polished!

Flitz paste

Effectiveness: 6
Abrasiveness: 4

Good all around cleaner has tarnish remover chemicals in it, not nearly as messy as Blue magic, it does have an abrasive in it (even though the label says differently), will remove clear coat and labels if rubbed hard and long enough. Good alternative to Blue magic or Paiste cymbal cleaner, does not leave behind remnants like Blue magic does, but I still recommend washing with soap & water afterward.

Contains: Aluminum Oxide, Triethanolamine 102-71-6 (cleaning agent) Castor oil, sulfated, sodium salt (surfactant).

Paiste cymbal cleaner

Effectiveness: 7
Abrasiveness: 6

The standard all other cleaners are measured against! Can be used gently on cymbals with a clear coat, eventually labels and clear coat will wear off from repeated uses. FYI: Cleaner does contain a mild acid and abrasive. Recent findings show that Paiste cymbal cleaner is actually "Stahl fix" in a relabeld bottle, see below for review and contents.

Contains: should be same as Stahl fix

Mr. Muscle/Stahl fix

Effectiveness: 7
Abrasiveness: 6

Paiste cymbal cleaner in the original bottle (see explanation below)!
Cleans very effectively and not remove labels if cymbal is wet to dilute the cleaner. The amount of cleaning is determined by how much you rub, that also determines how much clear coat and labels are removed. The acids in the cleaner help remove dark spot from tarnish very well, do not let dry, it will become very abrasive at that stage. washes of with water, recommend washing with soap & water afterward.

According to my source, he was at the factory about 20+ years ago and saw the Paiste techs pouring Stahl fix from a large bulk container into the orange Paiste cymbal cleaner bottles! The formula also changed around that time as well, another source has some of the "old" Paiste cleaner and he says the "smell" changed from the old 1990's cleaner compared to the "modern" version. He also says latest Paiste cleaner does smell very similar to the current Mr. Muscle.

Contains: aluminum oxide, citric acid, phosphoric acid, mineral oil.

contents
Original advert
Old bottle & formula
New bottle & formula
Back of bottle
Plenty in stock for cleaning!

Barkeeper's soft cleanser

Effectiveness: 10
Abrasiveness: 7

has tarnish remover chemicals in it, works well with really dirty cymbals, say goodbye to your clear coat and labels! it has oxalic acid which is great at removing tarnish and green corrosion from salty finger prints (see below), I only use it for the dirtiest cymbals that don't have a clear coat or label!

Contains: