- 1). Prepare two large basins underneath a fume hood. The basins must be big enough to soak the entire cymbal in and the hood must circulate enough air to keep the fumes of ammonia, copper carbonate and potash from entering the room. Put on gloves, a mask and a lab coat for this procedure.
- 2). Boil a solution of potash in the first basin and place the cymbal in it long enough to remove all the oils and dirt from the surface of the cymbal. Leave the cymbal in the basin until you have completed the next step.
- 3). Bring a mixture of 1 lb. copper carbonate and 2 gallons of strong ammonia to a temperature between 150 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit in the second basin. Mix until the carbonate is completely dissolved in the ammonia. Do not exceed 175 degrees, or the ammonia will begin to dissipate into fumes.
- 4). Use tongs to remove the cymbal from the first basin. Rinse the cymbal in warm to hot water to remove any potash solution and then place into the second basin, which should be a dark blue to black color.
- 5). Leave the cymbal in the second basin until the required tint is achieved. This method of color infusion is superior to painting the cymbal as the dye is tenacious and will affect the sound of the cymbal much less severely than paint.
- 6). Remove the cymbal from the second basin, rinse clean and cover in sawdust to dry. Once the cymbal has cooled and dried, use a soft, clean cloth or a fine brush to remove the sawdust before playing.
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