Why do stains appear on my gong?
Touching your gong very often, as well as dust or moisture from the air, can cause dirt to build up on your gong over time. If a gong is not sealed and comes into contact with salty or acidic liquids, corrosion can occur. Bacteria react with the metal and reddish-brown stains form on the surface. Copper comes to the surface and causes the metal to discolor. Although this does not really damage the gong, it does not look very nice.
Oils or greases can also lead to oxidation and cause stains on the gong. As a gong is made from various metals, this can also create electrical tension that leads to corrosion. If a gong is not sufficiently protected or regularly cleaned, it loses its shine.
Tip
If you live or travel in regions with a more humid climate or spend long periods near the sea, you should take particular care to protect and look after your gong. High humidity or salty air can accelerate corrosion.
How can I clean my gong?
For caring for gongs, we have developed a biodegradable cleaning paste that lets you clean and polish your gong very easily.
Here is how to proceed:
- Lightly rub a damp sponge over the cleaning paste.
- Squeeze the sponge several times to create a fine cleaning foam.
- Use the damp sponge to rub the inner and outer surface of the gong for a few minutes. (Caution: with the TamTam Gong, the cleaning paste may only be applied to the shiny surface.)
- Wipe the surface with a damp cloth until there is no cleaning paste left.
- Rinse the cloth briefly in between and repeat the process.
- Then rub the gong dry with a soft cloth.
Notes:
Our cleaning paste is environmentally friendly, biodegradable and very economical. You only need a small amount to clean a large gong.
Rub the gong dry very carefully at the end of the cleaning process so that no powder residue is left behind to soil your gong mallet. Also avoid using harsh cleaning agents. They can damage the metal of your gong and spoil its appearance.
Cleaning gongs with light soiling
For light soiling, we recommend using a soft cotton cloth. Polish the gong on the front and back with quick movements to remove small stains or streaks left by friction mallets. Polishing is even easier if you warm the cloth slightly beforehand.
How often should I clean my gong and does this affect the sound?
Over time, a gong usually develops a very individual patina. If you want to preserve the shiny golden color of your gong, we recommend cleaning it gently about every two months. We recommend regular cleaning especially for instruments used in sound therapy.
Some gong players rarely clean their instrument thoroughly. The individual patina, which then develops even faster, sets the gong apart from others and is often even desired. In this case, an occasional gentle cleaning with a soft cloth to remove fingerprints and dirt is enough.
Careful, regular cleaning does not affect the sound of the gong. However, we advise you to follow our tips so that you do not damage the surface.