Experiments in Vinyl Cleaning Terror

[Keiko]

I've been playing around some with home brew recipes from simple Dawn dishwashing liquid and isopropyl, to stuff I've bought specifically for record cleaning. I found this elaborate recipe on the web while searching, but haven't tried it. The ingredients are probably simple enough to get, but for me just looks to much to be a pita.

http://www.diamondcut.com/vforum/arc...hp?t-1775.html

I was reading on the Steve Hoffman forum where some vinyl addicts are using and swear by Glass Plus as a record cleaner. It doesn't contain ammonia like Windex and I'd never use anything with ammonia on my vinyl. Although I've heard some people do. Just the thought of putting Windex on a record makes me cringe because I'm assuming it would be corrosive. Regardless, I'd never try it.

So anyway, I was bold enough to try the ammonia free Glass Plus method on a few meager LPs I have. I didn't use it full strength however. I mixed it in a half/half solution of purified water and a couple drops of Dawn in a spray bottle, then cleaned the records as usual with a soft, fine bristle paint brush. I rinse the vinyl first, followed by my Shark Steamer, clean with the solution and paint brush, rinse, steam and rinse again. I follow this with a thorough wipe with a carbon fiber cloth to remove any excess liquid, then air dry for about half an hour before spinning. I've only used the GP solution on really grungey records, but the results have been quite successful so far. Shiney, quiet LPs with little to no clicks or surface noise. Just passing this info along and you can try it at your own risk.

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/ar...p/t-39597.html

[madmax]

You have to watch out, some people think because you make it shiny it is clean. I've bought numerous used LP's that look great but are full of crud in the grooves. Some of them take several cleanings before they stop creating suds. This is just unacceptable.
madmax

[sTiLlLeArNiNg]

Thank's for the tip's! How do you keep the label's from getting damaged?

[Keiko]

How do you keep the label's from getting damaged?

http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPage...on=Suction+Cup

Works perfectly and a lot cheaper than the Groovemaster Label Savers.

[sTiLlLeArNiNg]

Cool! Also put's some handle's on there to make cleaning easier :D

I guess it wouldn't matter if they were Napa brand or not? I find Napa to be overpriced for stuff like that and i usually go to Princess auto (Canadian equivalent of Harbour freight) for those type thing's.

Thank's Keiko :)

[Keiko]

PITA, but works until I can get a VPI.

[schwarcw]

Mike,

I recommend using Mobile Fidelity Cleaning brushed for scrubbing the vinyl. Buy two, one for scrubbing and one for rinsing. The microfibers get down into the grooves and lift out all that **** deep in the grooves without harming the record. Get some replacement pads also.

I think the cleaning process is the most important step. Most of the solutions work to varying degrees, but the cleaning method itself makes the biggest impact. It sounds like you have a good process.

VPI machines ROCK!

[sTiLlLeArNiNg]

quick Q: will a dirty album ruin the stylus quicker?

[Toolfan66]

quick Q: will a dirty album ruin the stylus quicker?

Yep!!

[polkfan45]

It would be easier if the made albums dishwaher safe... Just think how many you could wash at a time... :D

[sTiLlLeArNiNg]

^^ ROTFLMFAO

Yep!!

I thought so, thank's :)

[Keiko]

Keeping the stylus clean is as equally important as keeping the record clean.

[Keiko]

Mike,

I recommend using Mobile Fidelity Cleaning brushed for scrubbing the vinyl. Buy two, one for scrubbing and one for rinsing. The microfibers get down into the grooves and lift out all that **** deep in the grooves without harming the record. Get some replacement pads also.

I think the cleaning process is the most important step. Most of the solutions work to varying degrees, but the cleaning method itself makes the biggest impact. It sounds like you have a good process.

VPI machines ROCK!

Roger that Carl, thanks! I plan on getting it all together when I get the VPI. Hopefully before the end of the year. The method I have is effective, but it is a lot of work. A VPI would make vinyl life a whole lot easier for sure.