Cleaning Chrome and Brass on used drum set?

[a.bandini]

Hi everyone, Happy Festivus.

Here's a chance to demonstrate an intellectual feat of strength:

My lady friend's colleague just got a drum set for her 12 year old son and I received the question "How should she clean the chrome and brass?"

I have no idea. As a former sailor I tend to use brasso and never-dull, but they can make a mess. Jewelry polish on the chrome and leave the cymbals alone?

What do you recommend? Thanks.

[RichRS6]

Having done the same job myself I can tell you that to do it right is a lot of work, especially if it's in need of a deep cleaning.

It was a while ago but think I used (autosol) a car chrome cleaner on the lugs and brasso on the cymbals, pretty sure you can buy real cymbal cleaning products somewhere.

IMO Clean the cymbals so it looks nice when he gets it then let the kid learn how a drum set works and is put together by cleaning it as a Father and Son job after he gets it.

Now I'm exhausted.

[Steve Haynie]

Are you going to disassemble the drums to clean the hardware or leave everything put together? Trying to clean around lugs can be a pain. Being able to spray or dip parts can be easier. The downside is trying to tune the drums when you put them back together.

[G Man]

I've always used WD-40 and 0000 Steal Wool to clean up chrome. They do, in fact, make cymbal cleaner, brasso would work, but unless they are scrungy, I would leave them alone. A tarnished brass cymbal just looks right.

[a.bandini]

Rich R, Steve H, and G Man, Thanks for your replies. They are much appreciated.

Steve,

I doubt the drums will be disassembled, but don't know. I've referred the folks concerned to this thread, and will probably get some feedback soon.

[murkat]

I remember a few pro drummers have always said to never attempt to polish cymbals.

cymbals have a coating on them. once removed, an attempt to clean, polish

will be an on going attempt to eternity.

[tbonesullivan]

Cleaning the cymbals, I wouldn't recommend. I think there are some products for light cleaning available, but in general it's an endless battle. Some are coated, but most pro level cymbals are not.

As for the chrome, you can try a standard chrome polish like mothers, but again, it'll eventually get dirty again.

[tmsfo]

simichrome paste. magic.

[unfun75]

If you use a harsh cleaner on the cymbals you can also say "bye bye" to the logos.

[blackfbiv]

As a former sailor I tend to use brasso and never-dull, but they can make a mess.

Ah, Nevr-Dull love that stuff. The way it works...that smell.

My Dad was an A/C refinisher in the RCAF... stuff came in big barrels. Can you imagine polishing a Cf-104 Starfighter 'til it gleamed? I would have had a boner a mile long!

[RobB]

SirPaul's drummer has his cymbals polished before every show. Ask me how I know...

[JohnnyB]

What kind of drum set? How old? Where is the brass? If you mean brass cymbals, the brass (copper/zinc alloy) ones are crap. Cymbals above the crap level are bronze (copper/tin alloy).

Describe the chrome: is it rusty and pitted? A dull patina? What brand are the drums?

[a.bandini]

Hey black FB4, that sounds like a great memory.

OK Rob, How do you know?

And Johnny B, I don't know but will try to find out (to paraphrase a famous sailor response.)

[blackfbiv]

I'm sure there's a ton of pictures. He's only been gone since July so the wound is still pretty fresh. Neither mom or I have gone digging that deep... one of these days.