This is a question that comes up quite often, so I thought that writing something on it would help out a lot of people. First we’ll look at Paiste Gongs, then Chinese and other Gongs, as they are very different types of metal.

Paiste Gongs are made of NS12 (nickel-silver) and are very different from traditional cymbal bronzes, so they need to be treated differently. The first rule is to avoid harsh or caustic chemicals. There should be no need to ever use these on your Gong. Also avoid cymbal cleaners and protectors.

Old Paiste Gongs vs new

When a Paiste Gong is new, it has a very dark, blackish outer ring, with a shiny, silvery/golden middle section, with a slightly darker center (see photo above). As these Gongs age, they take on a brownish patina. This patina is often dull in appearance and is actually very pleasing to look at. The Gongs come from the factory with a protective coating that helps keep dust, finger prints, etc. from affecting the surface of the metal. But over time the coating can wear off and allow staining/discoloring to the metal.

New Gongs just need to be regularly cleaned with a good dish soap and water, then dried with a soft cloth. This will help keep the protective coating intact. Harsh cleaners can remove the coating and actually promote staining/discoloring. Be aware that new Gongs may have very small spots of discoloration. This is under the coating and comes from the factory that way. Paiste says it’s in the metal. These spots in no way detract from the sound of the Gong. They also won't grow to become larger.

Old Gongs are another thing entirely. If your Gong has aged to a beautiful patina, I recommend leaving it that way! The only thing necessary may be to keep a nice protective coating on it by using a quality microcrystalline wax or furniture polish. This will seal out the elements and not affect the sound. The wax can be buffed with a soft cloth to add a bit of shine.

Old Gong-left, new Gong-right

What about badly stained Gongs? These need to be looked at in each case. How bad and where are the stains/dirt/blemishes? If they are small/minor, I recommend leaving it as cleaning your whole Gong is a big process and will change the look, taking away the aged patina.

A nice, aged patina - front

back

aged patina with blemishes

I have chosen to leave these Gongs as is rather than cleaning them to a shiny new look.

Water stains on back of Paiste Gong

I have a friend who bought a 40" Symphonic Gong that was full of water stains on the front. it looked really bad. He was able to restore it to new condition by cleaning the surface with NOXON 7. This is a very strong metal cleaner that will not harm the metal. But it will take off the protective coating, stains/spots, and logos - be aware of that. I couldn't believe it was the same gong when he showed it to me. Before jumping in and cleaning the whole Gong,I recommend trying a small spot on the back of the Gong to see what sort of results you will get.

BE AWARE: USE THIS CLEANER, OR OTHERS, OUTSIDE OR IN A VERY WELL VENTED PLACE. THERE WILL BE HARMFUL FUMES. BE CAREFUL AND FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS ON ANY CLEANER YOU USE.

Once cleaned, you are left with a raw surface that is clean, yet vulnerable to the elements. Again, a good microcrystalline wax (check out various auto waxes or Museum Wax) will be needed to coat the entire surface to protect it from the elements.

It is also possible to clean small spots instead of the whole Gong. The only problem is that the cleaned spots may end up a different color than the rest of the Gong.

Chinese Gongs

Chinese Gongs are generally made from B20-22 bronze, like most cymbals. I would again say to start with soap and water, you can use cymbal type cleaners on a Chau or Wind Gong. While I own a lot of Chau & Wind Gongs, I have never cleaned any of them other than wiping them off. If you keep them clean, they stay clean, unless subjected to some sort of outside element. These Gongs will develop a nice patina, just like cymbals, as they age gracefully. You can also use a microcrystalline wax to seal the surface of the Gong from the elements.

Wind Gong with discoloration

Close up of center

Corrosion on back of Wind Gong

Chau Gong with black oxidized edge & center

and lathed middle

The B20-22 Bronze in Chinese Gongs can react to finger prints, water, etc. and develop patches of discoloration or corrosion. These are easily cleaned with a standard cymbal cleaner (not Paiste) or metal polish. Be aware that once you clean a small area you may need to clean the whole face to match in color.

Thai Gongs (aka Burma Gongs)

Thai Gongs are usually left in their raw, blackened state. This black color comes from the metal being heated and it actually a coating over the bronze underneath. These types of Gongs are traditionally etched with a Lotus Flower around the center boss, and rings around the outer edge. The black keeps them protected from the elements. Soap & water is usually all that’s needed and possibly a wax coating.

Thai Gong front

Thai Gong back

A rare example of a polished thai Gong

UFIP Gongs

These are made of B8, B12, B20, or Brass. They also have a protective coating, so soap and water is all you need to clean a new Gong. For older Gongs, again you need to assess them on a Gong by Gong basis. How bad does it look? Do you really need to/want to put the effort into cleaning it. Test a small, inconspicuous spot on the back first.

The Targo Gongs are made of B20, like cymbals. The Art Gongs are either B8/B12 (20”-28”) or brass (32” and larger).

UFIP Art Tiger Gong - B8 bronze with

design done by heating with a torch

UFIP Art II B12 Gong

Targo B20 Gong with lathed rings

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