Cleaning Vinyl

[bob1179]

Hello,

I have done a bit of a search and can't find much useful information, as usual there are many conflicting suggestions, ranging from the cheap and cheerful to the hugely expensive.

Anyway, I have some really grubby records that could do with a clean, does anybody have any suggestions on the best way to do this? I was considering some gentle PH neutral non detergent based soap (to stop residue forming during drying) and warm water with a good quality carbon record cleaning brush to shift dust and grime. Then wipe them down with a good quality lint free brush and leave to air dry for a day.

Good idea or vinyl suicide?

[Laurel Green]

In the (distant) past I have used warm water and a drop of Flash to clean my vynyl.

Having said that; I now use a Moth Record Cleaning Machine. The cleaning fluid being: Isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. (note:- distilled, not de-ionised or battery designated water) at the ratio of 1 part to 4 parts distilled water. Further refinement can be achieved by the addition of a couple of drops of Photographic Wetting Agent to a 5 litre pot of solution.

ETA: The above solution should not be used on 78's.

[bob1179]

Hi LG, thanks for the advice.

I have seen some of the record cleaning machines on offer and they are eyewateringly expensive!

Luckily I have no 78s, only 7" and 12" records.

[cjs]

I used to wash mine in the bath, just leave them to soak in some warm soapy water. Experiment with one first though!

[Riff Raff]

Many Hi Fi shops offer a cleaning service. My local one does, for a couple of quid a record (which includes a new inner sleeve) ISTR.

[robbyd]

Not sure how many discs you may have, but if it's many, the VPI HW-16.5 cleaning machine is hard to beat - one of the best things I ever bought. Most pops and clicks are just dirt - not scratches - and will disappear when a disc is properly cleaned. The solution of isopropyl alcohol / purified water is key to safely removing dirt and mould spots if they've been stored in a damp atmosphere, but the most important thing is, perhaps, that all the cleaning fluid is vacuumed off the disc at the end, and your LP comes off virtually dry.

[drab]

If you're going to dry with a cloth rather than a vacuum, I'd recommend micro-fiber cloths. These dry them very well in my experience.

Don't leave them to air dry! I made that mistake a few times; had to re-wash the lot of them.

[Le TVR]

Laurel Green said:

(note:- distilled, not de-ionised or battery designated water)

This.
Do not use tap water it contains all sorts of crap and the surface noise will increase.

[bob1179]

Cheers for the replies, I appreciate the advice. Those record cleaning machines look awesome but I only have around 150 LPs which means one would be a huge outlay for little use.

I asked at bot the local record stores in and neither offer a cleaning service. I think I will just take one of my less used discs and experiment at home.

Where would be the best place to get distilled water (this might be a stupid question)?

[Roadster25]

I use a Knosti Disco Antistat, a sort of manual cleaning machine. Think brushes in a trough. It cost about £50 and does the job reasonably well. It isn't as good as a Moth etc, but then it is much cheaper, and it is much better than just using brushes etc.

I bought mine from Analogue Seduction, but plenty of other places stock them.

[robbyd]

Water from any chemist - also the isopropyl alcohol (although they'll probably have to ask you what you want it for!)

[myles1972]

Roadster25 said:

I use a Knosti Disco Antistat, a sort of manual cleaning machine. Think brushes in a trough. It cost about £50 and does the job reasonably well. It isn't as good as a Moth etc, but then it is much cheaper, and it is much better than just using brushes etc.

I bought mine from Analogue Seduction, but plenty of other places stock them.

Ive just been bought an antistat, but from what I've read don't use the cleaning fluid that comes with it, make up the home-made mix detailed above.

[Roadster25]

myles1972 said:

Ive just been bought an antistat, but from what I've read don't use the cleaning fluid that comes with it, make up the home-made mix detailed above.

Thanks for the advice. Is that because it isn't very good, or just because it is expensive?

[myles1972]

I think the formula forms a gloop with the dirt on the vinyl, getting stuck in the grooves and glooping up the stylus. All technical terminology!!

Just reading on another forum, it seems the formula should be 1 part IPA, 3 parts distilled water, a splash of Iltofol Photographic Wetting Fluid. That'll keep your vinyl honest!

[jet_noise]

Dear Bob,

I've got a Disco Antistat too (still love the name) from Thomann and it is extraordinary v.f.m.
A bit fiddly to use but it does the job.

I've found the proprietary fluid works better at cleaning the disc than my own mix by sound/appearance but there does indeed seem to be more of a build up of gloop on the stylus. It's also very expensive if you've got more than a few 10s of discs to clean.

The mix I uses is 3:1 distilled water:isopropyl alcohol with a few drops of surfactant. I bought the ingredients from various chemical outlets. Had to jump through a few hoops to get the surfactant - I think they were concerned I was the next mass poisoner/bomber/suicide risk

regards,
Jet

[maffski]

bob1179 said:

Cheers for the replies, I appreciate the advice. Those record cleaning machines look awesome but I only have around 150 LPs which means one would be a huge outlay for little use.

I asked at bot the local record stores in and neither offer a cleaning service. I think I will just take one of my less used discs and experiment at home.

Where would be the best place to get distilled water (this might be a stupid question)?

Rent one? http://www.dougbradyhifi.com/p-1419-keith-monks-re...

[Laurel Green]

Bump.