Cleaning vinyl records

[gilwe]

What is the best way to clean a vinyl records ?

I use to rinse them with water a some soap and than letting them dry but that process sometimes makes them noisier than before.

 

[The Ghost of FM]

The whole problem with soap and water is that "water" ain't what it used to be. There are so many additives in it these days that yes, I am not surprised that your records sound worse then before.

I use good old DiscWasher fluid and their brush to keep my vinyl clean.

I also use a Zero-stat gun as a pre-treatment to loosen up the static charges sitting on the vinyl before I use the brush.

Probably the best thing to keep in mind is to handle the records only by their edges at all times and keep the finger prints off of them that way. Also put your records back into their sleeves and jackets after you play them so that they are not sitting there, collecting all the dust that's floating in the air.

There is also a really expensive device out there that vacuums the dirt off the surface of the vinyl and washes it as well. I think it is made by a company called VPI or Nitty Gritty but, I can't remember right now which is was.

Cheers!

 

[muttley]

Use distilled water, regular water has minerals in it and they get left behind thus adding to the crackling noise, don't use any soap...........
Another way is a damp kitchen sponge lightly with the grooves to just pick up the dust.........
The last play method: play the record one last time with it being wet with water, have all available recording devices going, make a few recordings, play from tape from now on.......


da MUTT

 

[muttley]

Ghost; Nitty-Gritty is the name, but I don't think they make that record cleaning machine anymore..........


da MUTT

 

[gilwe]

Thanks,

someone has recommended to use a solution made of 50% alchohol and 50% windows cleaner fluid,
than clean to record surface using cotton-wool.

Doesn't sound to me like a good idea.

What do you think ?

 

[The Ghost of FM]

gilwe

What on earth do you have on your records that would require such harsh chemical concoctions?

No, I wouldn't recommend anything that drastic.

Cheers!

 

[gilwe]

Te second part of his instruction was to let it play while it is still wet, lettning the needle collect the dust from the vinyl, and than clean the needle using the brush.

 

[muttley]

A major big time NO NO !!



da MUTT

 

[regebro]

Te second part of his instruction was to let it play while it is still wet, lettning the needle collect the dust from the vinyl, and than clean the needle using the brush.

If that has any effect, it would have the effect of moping together the dust into little blobs that would then dry hard on the record surface.

 

[Lt. Bob]

DO NOT PLAY YOUR RECORDS WET!!!!!! Unless, of course, you want to destroy your needle and damage the records.

I'm a semi-major collector (6000 albums and counting ) and you need to get some record cleaning fluid.
You can get it from audiophile places like The Needle Doctor or Audio Advisor.
Also......for those without a record cleaner (most of you ) then a very good alternative is the Allsop Orbitrack.....about $35 and it works fairly well. You can get it at the same places.

And Nitty Gritty most certainly still makes a line of record cleaners but I much prefer the VPI cleaners.

 

[Derek Verner]

They used to sell a little brush that mounted on the tone arm and swept the record just before the stylus. I used a mini-vacuum to clean the brush before each new record. Worked for me.

 

[regebro]

OK, my recommendations:

Use a brush. If you get loads of non-dust dirt (which SHOULD be only finger grease) you'll need some kind of cleaning fluid that dissolves fat but not vinyl, and evaporates completely without leaving residue. Freon should be fine.


(OK, OK, just kidding, don't use freon)