Cleaning vinyl records..................

[treitz3]

I apologize in advance if this topic has been covered before. My searches keep giving me an error.

1. Where do you find a vinyl record cleaner? Recommendations are welcome. [Prefer one that does the job.]
2. Is there any vast improvement with one that costs 2-5 bills -vs- 5 bills and above up to 1K?
3. Where do you get the cleaning solution or is it just distilled water?
4. I have a new Rega P1 entry level player for the re-introduction of vinyl in MY rig in a long time. That said, where can i get a fine dust collector that picks up any dust that accumulates as the record is spinning. FYI, I have H.I's "The clamp" that will not allow me to close the lid while playing.
5. Once the records are clean, is there a company that sells just the sleeves that you put the records in?
6. When I was a kid, I would clean the stylus by wiping my finger under the stylus. I know this isn't how you do it, but........well, how do you do it?

Thank you in advance.

[reeltrouble1]

vpi 16.5

runs and runs like the bunny with the batteries.

we like them we love them and all that, the nitty gritty are fine as well but you have to scrub the record on an old TT or something such, what is most important is the vacuum, otherwise, you just sort of move the mush around on the record, in this case "sucking" is good, you need that vacuum to get the dirt and grime off the surface.

You can get all the sleeves you want from Mobile Fidelity--Music Direct--Acoustic Sounds. They all sell fluids or you can make your own.

Get the Zero Dust to clean you stylus, Its the "reel" deal. You simply lower the stylus on the soft gel and it pulls the gunk off the stylus, lift and you are done.

Just use a watts preener or simiar such brush to give the record a dust before or after playing if you like.

[Ricardo]

static is also your enemy........heard some good things about the zerostat gun; ordered one today.

[pearsall001]

Try your dishwasher! :D

[SCompRacer]

Try your dishwasher! :D


Aside from the labels falling off and the heat mode creating a warp even Joe’s clamp couldn’t remove, not a bad idea.:eek:

I get my sleeves/jacket covers and Nitty Gritty Pure 2 from KAB Electro Acoustics (http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/index.htm). Great products at reasonable prices. Excellent customer service.

Mehran of SORAsound at Audiogon (http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?accstwek&1192021020) has low prices on the zerodust and electronic scales. He is also a mid to high end vinyl guy. You won't find anyone better to deal with.

Depending on your budget, you can buy a new record cleaner from a dealer, or check Audiogon frequently. Every now and then a used one pops up but they don't last long.

[hearingimpared]

There isn't much more that I can add here except;

1. For dry cleaning, I use a Hunt EDA Mk VI anti-static brush.

2. You absolutely do not want to play records with the dust cover down. Picture your head inside a drum. . . now strike the drum. That is what happenes to your stylus with the turntable playing with the dust cover down.

[pearsall001]

Excerp from Joe's post:

There isn't much more that I can add here except;

1. For dry cleaning, I use a Hunt EDA Mk VI anti-static brush.

Joe, how expensive is that?


I use the $1.99 Chi-nee place right around the corner. Everything nice & clean. I think they do records too!!! :D

[treitz3]

Cool Joe. I don't like playing records with the top on anyway, because as a kid, I do remember my fingers either slipping from sweat, oil, or whatever, including human error and having the lid come crashing down. You know what happens next.:eek:

Thanks you guys for not raining on my ignorance when it comes to vinyl. Being out of the loop for twenty years makes you tend to forget things. I do know that I CAN'T WAIT!!!!:D

[hearingimpared]

Excerp from Joe's post:

There isn't much more that I can add here except;

1. For dry cleaning, I use a Hunt EDA Mk VI anti-static brush.

Joe, how expensive is that?


I use the $1.99 Chi-nee place right around the corner. Everything nice & clean. I think they do records too!!! :D

Ya big cheapskate, the Hunt brush is only $20.:p

[strider]

If you're reluctant to spend the money on a new VPI, or are frustrated iont trying to find a used one, you may want to take a look at the vacuum cleaner that KAB Audio makes. It has similar features to the Nitty Gritty machines, but uses your upright vacuum cleaner as the motor. I've had one for 4 months or so, it works well, and at $159 it seems like a good match for my entry level TT set up.

http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/index.htm

[engtaz]

Thanks strider

[engtaz]

Ya big cheapskate, the Hunt brush is only $20.:p

Where do the vinyl heads shop? and do you buy resealable sleeves?
Please and thank you

[Ricardo]

I've been buying at musicdirect.com and needledoctor.com, but am a noob and am sure there are better places..

[madmax]

and do you buy resealable sleeves?
Please and thank you


Yes! Sleeve (sp) City.
madmax

[hearingimpared]

Where do the vinyl heads shop? and do you buy resealable sleeves?
Please and thank you

No resealable sleeves, you want that vinyl to breath or else IT WILL FORM MOLD SPORES! Cardboard is notorious for breeding mold and it is like cancer to vinyl records. The mold becomes part of the grooves.

http://www.sleevetown.com/

You can get really great buys on accessories on this site.

[engtaz]

How about a link to Hunt brush Which sleeve do you like?
Thanks again

[hearingimpared]

How about a link to Hunt brush Which sleeve do you like?
Thanks again

Roy you can get the Hunt brush from Audio Advisor, Elusive Disc, Music Direct or Accoustic Sounds. The thing is to try to get it for $20 + ship'g. Audio Advisor puts out their catalog and gives a discount. You just have to snag it at the right time or else you are going to pay $25 + ship'g.

I prefer the MFSL anti-static, anti-scratch sleeves. They are not cheap but I have piece of mind that after I treat my records and insert them into the MFSL sleeve it is going to remain pristine and unharmed by the elements so it is worth the few cents more for each one.

The hardware used in this hobby is always replacable . . . the software is what becomes rare and valuable. So don't go on the cheap when maintaining your records and CDs. If there is one thing that I am a stickler about is how scrupulously clean I keep my software.