Cleaning very dirty and discolored Zildjian cymbals

A buddy borrowed my drum set & cymbals awhile ago when I got them back the cymbals were very dirty and discolored to the point they looked black and burned. I tried cleaning them with no luck. So i saw others using Barkeepers Friend to clean their cymbals so I thought i would give it a shot.

[@campusman1957]

out side on the driveway great idea scratch the whole cymbal another genus

[@eloyvalles7142]

I learned my lesson a long time ago about loaning out cymbals to friends .... No !

[@ChristianContemporaryMusic02]

Yep so did I. When my zildjians all came back cracked I was furious

[@rodneyp8099]

I would take that friend to the Train Station

[@KarenReadsTaillight]

I saw a tip to use Lysol toilet bowl cleaner. I tried it and it instantly restored the original brightness. Took minutes and they looked perfect.

[@MTventure]

Nice job. Came out great but I think me and the buddy would have had some words!! LOL. We have scrubbed some from storage lockers. Not an easy chore.

[@southernoverdrive09]

Oh we did have a long talk.

[@caseyshroyerdrumming]

Just skimmed through the video didn’t really pay attention to how long you said you left the BKF on there for. But I’m sure if you left it on for longer that would look good as new.
P.s. buddy owes you some new cymbals lol

[@southernoverdrive09]

@@caseyshroyerdrumming left it on about 10 minutes. And yes he does

[@senordiabeeto5703]

This video made my stomach turn! I think my buddy and I would have boxed it out 😂 the disrespect to those Zildjians :c

[@1BluesDrummer]

Your buddy ain't your buddy. I wouldn't loan him a busted garden hose😮

[@Shawn-Noel]

Great job of cleaning!!!

[@southernoverdrive09]

Thanks ShawnNoel

[@sherpajones]

These look like the old Scimitar Bronze series that Zildjian put out in the 80's or 90's. These are student level cymbals and are not great quality to begin with. The level of discoloring on them is quite severe, but I don't think your buddy is 100% at fault for this. Maybe they were kept in a damp environment for some time.

[@flapjack413]

I would have instantly fired that "friend". I use barkeeper's friend on all of my traditional finish cymbals, too. It will remove the logos, but I don't give a shit about them. I'm not out to advertise for Zildjian, lol. For my brilliant finish cymbals, I use regular old turtle wax car finish polishing compound. Works great, but also eventually scrubs off the logos, for anyone who cares about that.

[@rodneyp8099]

I would lose that friend

[@ralphbenites1312]

Couldn’t figure out the logo barely read it

[@tajbaber9425]

The powder works,but it's abrasive. The cream works much better and requires less elbow Grease

[@brettgivler4125]

Definitely was poured with lighter fluid and set on fire... 😂

[@averyce2]

Bro, please tell us your "buddy" is no longer your "buddy"!!

[@danielmacero6994]

its defective they said they wont exchange them

[@danielmacero6994]

mine are new and there all diffrent colors

[@wildchild8050]

Looks like you're buddy set them on fire to me dude.