Zildjian A Custom cymbals rust easier than the A series. This is because of the material used to make the cymbals. When you consider purchasing A Customs, ask your seller for as many pictures as possible. If your seller is patient and is really into selling/customer service, he/she will provide you with the pictures you need. What you need to look at are the fingerprints. Nevermind dents or cracks, it's a given these will not work. But fingerprints can be very deceiving. Some prints will remain only prints, but others turn to rust very easily. Look out for sellers who advertise their gear as new, cause even though their gear might be new, they will handle it with their bare hands and send you a printed cymbal. It might not matter at first, but then the cymbal will react to the chemicals it received from the person's hand. So, above all else, look out for heavily soiled cymbals and don't waste your money on them. The big deal about A Customs is their brilliance!

NEVER use cymbal cleaners. This is my particular opinion, of course. Cymbal cleaners have to wipe out the stains and "smudges," but the whole cymbal suffers in the process. Then your A Customs become dull, and their true sound dies after 1 "cleaning." I consider cymbal cleaners to be cymbal "killers." Be wise and treat your cymbals right. You won't have to change them for many years!

Remember rust deteriorates the physical integrity of any cymbal. If you are used to placing your sweaty hands on your cymbals, don't be surprised if you find yourself in need of another cymbal because yours broke. Rust makes metal weak.

Cymbal cleaners don't affect the physical integrity of cymbals, but it does kill their original sound. This is true for A Customs, especially, and the K series.