Record cleaning fluids

billfort

Administrator
Staff member
Site Supporter
I'm getting closer to doing some archiving of my vinyl and wanted to step up my game as far as cleaning goes, so was curious to hear what you all recommend for the task. I'm currently using an old VPI record cleaning machine with stiff brush application of Disk Doctor cleaner, followed by a distilled water rinse using a Disk Doctor felt brush. I only have 1 pickup wand on my old VPI which I know is not optimum but that's a second issue.

What fluids and workflow do you all use?
 
[FONT=Arial, Veranda]I have switched from commercial products to the stuff recommended by archival organizations. My problem with the LP specific products is lack of testing or knowledge of what's in them. All of these products are commercial enterprises and therefore should be suspect until proven otherwise. None of the companies are large enough or has been around long enough to do real testing on the effects of their products on vinyl. I suspect, yes just suspect, that most of these cleaning compounds are formulated over the kitchen table so to speak. "A little of this, a little of that, maybe some of that stuff that they used to clean WWII bombers with. Let's see how that works."[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Veranda]I have had lengthy discussions with the owners of a couple of products and while I trust them in general and their products are excellent, they are business men who knows what in their formulas. While none will share that information, most use surfactants such as Tegritol. There is published testing data on the raw material available from the manufacturer. Real data about concentrations, temperature, appropriate uses, potential for harm etc. The commercial LP cleaning products don't say. We are trusting these businesses to make a safe product. Why do some think the recommendations of the Canadian National Library and our own Library of Congress might not be valid? They both have the resources to test what they use and their recommendations are without potential financial gain. I use two clearly identifiable compound with MSDS available diluted in reagent grade water (which also is tested in order to to be labeled that) with a rinse of that water times 2. Never have my records sounded or looked so clean! Currently I use a solution of 0.5% Triton X-100 (available on Amazon) as a first step. I then vacuum that off and follow with a 0.05% solution of Tergitol 15-S-7 (Need to have it shipped to a business for some reason). Both are applied with the Disc Doctor brushes and scrubbed gently for one minute each. After that I do two rinses utilizing a new cotton facial pad for each of those steps. There are ones that have no lint and I cut them in half so each record requires two pads. I use a different vacuum wand for each step. As a bonus, the solutions are cheap! I spend pennies for each quart.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Veranda]You need:[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Veranda]4 vacuum wands[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Veranda]2 DD brushes[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Veranda]Tergitol 15-S-7 or [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Veranda]Triton X-100[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Veranda]Reagent grade Water (Amazon)
Facial cleansing pads (Kroger brand)
[/FONT]
 
I have a Clearaudio Smart Matrix record cleaning machine and I use this:

IMG_1669_zps54hvde9a.jpg


All-in-one solution.

Extremely happy camper!

*No affiliation
 
Currently using the ProJect WashIt mix with good results.......Will be trying out the MoFi cleaning solution next...All are alcohol free.
 
I use Spin Clean solution with a brush on my VPI/Nitty Gritty...vacuum...then rinse with pure water and vacuum again. Works great and if a dirty record comes out noisy, repeating the process always takes care of it!
 
Celt;n42216 said:
I use Spin Clean solution with a brush on my VPI/Nitty Gritty...vacuum...then rinse with pure water and vacuum again. Works great and if a dirty record comes out noisy, repeating the process always takes care of it!


I use the same solution as you but vac with a record Doctor V. Never any noise after vac. Dead silent between tracks!
 
I use the Mofi stuff as well with a VPI 16.5. In fact the its same stuff that came with the machine when I bought it in a package deal. It works very well. Well enough, that I haven't even looked around at other solutions.

Maybe I shouldn't start thinking too much about it. :)
 
^ I agree, the initial wash solution is not as important IMO as is the water final rinse, assuming you are using a RCM w/vacuum. When I read about using something different for very dirty records, I mean what actually is different? A different soap? More concentrated ratio? A more harsh soap? I just scrub a bit harder and let the solution sit for 30 seconds give it two good final rinse with distilled water, which is cheap at the store...
 
I have been using this for a while. I do not need a water rinse, since this sucks off clean via Nitty Gritty 1.0:

31TPNX8MH%2BL.jpg

I will give this stuff a try (makes 30 gal.), once my recent purchase of the above runs out:

51tu9rQqFaL.jpg

Enjoy,
Rich P
 
Last edited:
I am questioning the wisdom of omitting the rinse step. If the compounds in the solutions are detergents and/or have suspended solids in them (I hope so) I believe one may be leaving some of that stuff still adhering to the groove. Somehow I think that most of the no-rinse claims by the manufacturers is a marketing ploy; but then, I am suspicious of most claims by those with economic or political interests
 
^ I would disagree but to each his own. I would encourage those trying different cleaning regimes to try a rinse or two.
 
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding (or in this case, in the grooves):

This one-step solution I use needs no rinse.

Before and after shot of record cleaned and vacuumed on my RCM, using the Record Time product:

Before:
Image37_zpsfkqjvy7v.jpg


After:
Image39_zps58xtdikz.jpg


No need to rinse something that's not there.

I have no affiliation to any product mentioned.

Cheers.
 
Like I said, to each his or her own. ^^ People use LAST all the time and the grooves are quiet with little on no stylus build-up. I don't happen to care for that product or anything not pure left on the surface. I just disagree that the rinse that both the LOC and the COOL strongly recommends should be eliminated.
^ Is that a record you cleaned and took the before and after pictures? It sure looks clean but I would prefer, on my records, to not leave any film (at the molecular level) that the cleanser must leave. There are papers discussing how one cannot vacuum the last few layers of fluid molecules off of a surface. I am not saying you are not getting fine results, I just think adding the rinse step is good practice and insurance.
 
the_nines;n42382 said:
The proof, as they say, is in the pudding (or in this case, in the grooves):

This one-step solution I use needs no rinse.

Before and after shot of record cleaned and vacuumed on my RCM, using the Record Time product:

Before:
Image37_zpsfkqjvy7v.jpg


After:
Image39_zps58xtdikz.jpg


No need to rinse something that's not there.

I have no affiliation to any product mentioned.

Cheers.

Incredible photos! Really illustrates the need for good record cleaning process and discipline.
 
Back
Top