5 Best Cymbal Cleaners To Restore a Brilliant Shine

Best Cymbal Cleaners To Restore a Brilliant Shine

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Cymbal cleaners do an excellent job of restoring brilliant finish cymbals back to their original, gleaming shine. Restoring this mirror shine makes your cymbals look fantastic on a drum set, and can even improve the cymbal’s sound.

In this article, I’ve put the best cymbal cleaning products on the market to the test to help you choose the right cleaner for you. I’ve compared performance, ease of use, and cost to give you my top recommendations.

What are the Best Cymbal Cleaners?

Image Recommended ProductsProduct Features Price
BEST
Zildjian Brilliant Finish Cymbal Cleaner
  • Brings a gleaming shine
  • Easy to use formula
  • Dirt is easy to wipe off
PREMIUM
Lizard Spit Cymbal Cleaner
  • Provides long lasting shine
  • Slows down oxidization process
  • Vibrant colored solution
BUDGET
Music Nomad Cymbal Cleaner
  • High-strength solution
  • Provides a thin protective coating
  • All-in-one cymbal cleaning product
Groove Juice Cymbal Cleaner
  • Original, quality cymbal cleaner
  • Easy to apply spray
  • Zero mess or spillage
Meinl Cymbal Cleaner Kit
  • High quality cymbal cleaner set
  • Excellent value for money
  • Easy to use pump action spray

How I Tested the Cymbal Cleaners

Prior to writing this review, I tested these cymbal cleaners in order to ensure they restored the brilliance of my cymbals with minimal hassle.

Effectiveness was paramount. I assessed their ability to remove dirt, grime, and oxidation while safeguarding the cymbals’ finishes.

Ease of application was another key consideration. I ensured that these products were user-friendly, making the cleaning process straightforward and hassle-free.

Lastly I also ensured to select cymbal cleaners that offer good value for money, and will last a long time. Below you’ll find my in-depth reviews of each of the top cymbal cleaning products on the market.

Best Cymbal Cleaners Reviews

BEST

Zildjian Brilliant Finish Cymbal Cleaner

This Zildjian cymbal cleaner does a great job of restoring brilliant finish cymbals. Simply buffer the white fluid solution with a dry cloth to remove all the dirt and grime.
Performance
5.0
Ease of Use
4.5
Value
4.5

    Zildjian Brilliant Finish Cymbal Cleaner Review

    Zildjian is the largest cymbal manufacturer in the world and they have been producing high-quality cymbals for almost 400 years. This Zildjian Cymbal Cleaner has been specially formulated to clean and protect your brilliant finish cymbals in one quick and easy application.

    This Zildjian brilliant finish cymbal polish truly does work wonders. It restores a cymbal back to its natural gleaming shine and collects all the dirt and residue that finds its way onto the cymbal surface.

    All that you need to do is apply a small amount of the formula onto the cymbal and firmly buff it around in a circular motion with a soft, dry cloth. The chemical reacts with the grime on the cymbal and is able to be wiped off easily.

    Applying a fair amount of ‘elbow grease’ I found I was able to really able to clean my ride cymbal back to its original shine. If you have lots of cymbals to clean I would recommend changing to a fresh cloth for each cymbal because the solution manages to pick off so much grime.

    The Zildjian brilliant cymbal cleaner is a fantastic cymbal polish and I found it managed to get rid of every fingerprint and stick mark that was visible beforehand.

    It’s a great value product that works exceptionally well, and this is why I recommend it as the best cymbal cleaner for brilliant finish cymbals!

    Features:

    • Brings a gleaming shine
    • Easy to use formula
    • Dirt is easy to wipe off

    Pros

    • High quality solution
    • Performs exceedingly well
    • Best cymbal cleaner for brilliant cymbals

    Cons

    • Very little!
    PREMIUM

    Lizard Spit Cymbal Cleaner

    Featuring an easy-to-use spray bottle, Lizard Spit easily removes dirt and fingerprints from your cymbals, with an eco-friendly and non-toxic solution.
    Performance
    4.0
    Ease of Use
    4.5
    Value
    4.0

      Lizard Spit Cymbal Cleaner Review

      The vividly colored Lizard Spit Cymbal Cleaner is an all-in-one product and it performs as a cymbal cleaner whilst also providing a special sealant coating.

      This sealant offers a longer-lasting shine and slows the oxidization process that causes light rust on cymbals.

      The bottle contains a thick and vividly colored solution that easily removes grime, fingerprints, and other impurities from the cymbal surface.

      I found this product really easy to use, just using a damp cloth with the solution and buffing an old crash cymbal managed to really help return the cymbal to its original glossy finish.

      This cymbal polish is quite strong, so be sure to use it sparingly with a wet cloth and to evenly distribute it across the cymbal.

      The cymbal cleaner performs well, but you do need to work hard to remove every single stain. The cymbal will also be left with a light protective sealant that will preserve the shiny finish for even longer!

      Features:

      • Provides long-lasting shine
      • Slows down oxidization process
      • Vibrant colored solution

      Pros

      • Provides a special sealant coating
      • Preserves cymbal finish
      • All-in-one product

      Cons

      • Pretty expensive considering size
      BUDGET

      Music Nomad Cymbal Cleaner

      An easy-to-use cymbal cleaner that removes dirt and grime, and also leaves an invisible protective layer to help prevent further cymbal oxidization.
      Performance
      4.0
      Ease of Use
      4.0
      Value
      4.5

        Music Nomad Cymbal Cleaner Review

        The Music Nomad Cymbal Cleaner is a strong solution and it will remove all different types of stains and residues that form over time on all different types of cymbals.

        The solution is strong, so you only need a few drops of the cymbal cleaner onto a cloth before wiping the cymbal in a circular motion across the lathing grooves. It works so well that you’ll be able to see it instantly lift all the dirt off the surface.

        Whilst using the Music Nomad cleaner, I only needed a small amount of the solution for it to perform well. It’s applied onto a well-wet cloth. After buffing the cymbal and lifting off all of the dirt, I used a dry cloth to wipe off all the residual liquid.

        A little goes a long way with this cymbal cleaner, and you get 240ml of liquid in one bottle. It will last you a long time, and restore lots of grimy cymbals back to new!

        Features: 

        • High-strength solution
        • Provides a thin protective coating
        • All-in-one cymbal cleaning product

        Pros

        • Removes dirt and preserves cymbals shine
        • Highly effective cleaning solution
        • Single bottle will last years of cleaning

        Cons

        • Liquid does not spread too easily

        Groove Juice Cymbal Cleaner

        A popular choice amongst pro drummers, Groove Juice is one of the original cymbal cleaners that has a thin liquid spray solution that delivers instant results.
        Performance
        4.5
        Ease of Use
        4.5
        Value
        4.5

          Groove Juice Cymbal Cleaner Review

          Up next we have this famous Groove Juice Cymbal Cleaner. Many professional drummers swear by this product and claim it’s the greatest product available to restore a cymbal back to its original shine.

          It’s an advanced formula that is very quick and easy to use. It’s a thin liquid spray that is simply sprayed evenly on the cymbal, left for 30 seconds, and then wiped off with a soft cloth or towel. Groove Juice delivers great and instant results on all brilliant finish cymbals.

          This product is not only efficient and simple to use but it is also excellent value. Using this regularly every few months will ensure your cymbals are restored to their original luster and brilliant tone.

          I would highly recommend this product because it performs great and its definitely one of the best cymbal cleaners on the market.

          Features:

          • Original, quality cymbal cleaner
          • Easy to apply spray
          • Zero mess or spillage

          Pros

          • Collects all grime and dirt
          • Restores original cymbal shine
          • A single bottle will last years

          Cons

          • I found other cymbal cleaners perform better

          Meinl Cymbal Cleaner Kit

          An all-in-one cymbal cleaning kit that restores your cymbals’ shine as well as protects them from further oxidization. The pump-action sprays are ergonomic and comfortable to grip.
          Performance
          5.0
          Ease of Use
          4.0
          Value
          4.0

            Meinl Cymbal Cleaner Kit Review

            This fantastic Meinl Cymbal Cleaner Kit includes a Meinl cymbal polish, a cymbal protectant solution, and a pair of cymbal handling gloves.

            This set of products has been designed very well, and the pump-action sprays are ergonomic and comfortable to grip.

            All of the products included are well designed and using all of them together allows you to not only clean but also protect your cymbals against future stains and oxidization.

            The cymbal polish is a premium concentrated liquid that is designed for both brilliant and traditional cymbals. It is very easy to use, simply spray on and wipe off with a cloth after leaving to penetrate the cymbal’s grime for about 20 seconds.

            I found this cleaning solution very easy to use thanks to the comfortable pump action bottle, and after wiping off the solution the cymbals had a mirror-like shine.

            I particularly like this Meinl cymbal care kit because it is suitable for both traditional and brilliant cymbals- it’s a highly versatile set. It’s also got 3 very good products in 1 – excellent value for money!

            Features: 

            • High quality cymbal cleaner set
            • Excellent value for money
            • Easy to use pump action spray

            Pros

            • Performs well on traditional cymbals too
            • Best cymbal cleaner set for the money
            • Clean and maintain cymbal shine

            Cons

            • Two products requires more time

            The Best Cymbal Cleaner Buying Guide

            Cymbals are prone to staining and becoming grimy with use. This is inevitable due to many contributing factors. Grubby finger marks, air humidity, stick marks, and moisture all add unwanted blemishes to your cymbals over a certain period of time.

            The once beautiful and dazzling gloss your cymbal set once proudly displayed will slowly begin to look dull and discolored.

            But this is nothing to worry too much about. There are lots of fantastic cymbal cleaner products on the market that will restore your original cymbal polish back to its former glory!

            Whilst lots of drummers take care of their cymbals by storing them in protective cymbal bags, you should also take care to clean your cymbals regularly to remove oxidization, stains, and dirt.

            The added patina from grease and moisture will make your cymbals unattractive and less valuable, and also potentially alter the cymbals sound.

            What to Look For in the Best Cymbal Cleaner

            • A strong and effective solution – a little should go a long way, and it will also need to be very effective in removing blemishes and grime from the cymbal surface.
            • An easy-to-use applicator – the bottle will need to have a simple spray applicator or easy-open bottle that minimizes spills.
            • Good value for money – cymbal cleaners are not expensive products, but a good cymbal cleaner should last several years of use, assuming you don’t clean your cymbals every single day!

            How To Use a Cymbal Cleaner

            Take Care While Handling Cymbals

            Always take special care whilst cleaning your cymbals. Always hold a cymbal carefully with two hands around the perimeter and never lean it or place it down on a hard surface. Leaning your cymbal against a hard surface will cause scratches and potential dents if it falls.

            Place Your Cymbals on a Towel

            Use a towel or a blanket to lay your cymbals on when you clean your cymbals in order to protect the edges, as well as protect your floor from being stained by the cymbal cleaner solution.

            Use Soft Cleaning Cloths

            Have a variety of microfiber cloths ready, with one to buff the solution into the cymbal and using another cloth to wipe down and dry the cymbal off. Always refer to the specific instructions of each cymbal polish product when cleaning your cymbals.

            Applying the Solution

            Apply the cleaning solution sparingly onto the top side of the cymbal whilst the cymbal is lying down flat on a soft surface. Wait 20 to 30 seconds and buff the cymbal with a soft cloth in circular motions all around the whole surface area.

            Dry the Cymbal With a Fresh Cloth

            Next, use a new microfiber cloth to wipe down the remainder of the cleaner solution and dry the cymbal. Repeat the process for the underside of the cymbal, whilst taking special care to not put too much pressure down on the cymbal, which could warp it.

            Note- Cymbal Cleaners Remove Logos

            When you clean cymbals, just note that cleaning solutions will eventually remove logos, especially when rubbed vigorously. So if you would like to maintain your cymbal brand logos as I do, try your best to avoid rubbing close to the logo print.

            How To Minimize Cymbal Blemishes

            Try Not to Leave Fingerprints

            In order to help maintain your clean cymbals, try to minimize touching your cymbals with dirty hands. This instantly causes stains. And when carrying your cymbals to place either in a protective bag or on a stand, use two hands on the perimeter of the cymbal to avoid fingerprints.

            Use a Protective Cymbal Bag

            It is important to always carry your cymbals in a protective cymbal bag and to always take off your cymbals first whenever you are packing away a drum set. If a cymbal stand is knocked over then there is a very high chance you will be left with a broken cymbal. Also, ensure that within the interior of the cymbal bag there is no metal-to-metal contact that can cause scratches.

            Store Cymbals Correctly

            If your cymbals are not being used for prolonged periods of time, keep your cymbals either in a protective bag or separately wrapped in towels to minimize air moisture and dust from adding to the patina of the cymbal. It is also important to ensure your cymbals are kept away from extreme cold and heat.

            What About My Traditional Finish Cymbals?

            Traditional Finish cymbals have a natural patina and do not gleam or shine like polished, brilliant finish cymbals. Many drummers are averse to cleaning their traditional cymbals and believe some discoloring and stick marks keeps a traditional cymbal looking authentic.

            If you do wish to clean your traditional finish cymbals, I recommend gently scrubbing your cymbals with a mix of mild detergent and hot water to remove surface grease build-up. All of the cymbal cleaning products in this product guide are recommended for brilliant finish cymbals and are not designed for use on traditional cymbals. Always remember to clean your cymbals on a soft surface to prevent scratches and dents.

            To help keep your drums clean always play drums with clean hands and wipe your cymbals down frequently with a soft dry cloth to remove dust and grime from regular practicing.

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