chubbsr1 Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Hi all, ive just shipped over from the UK all my old records and they are a lot dustier and grimier than I remembered. I’m hoping to get some advice on what’s the best way to clean them up? I do do have a carbon brush but they are a bit beyond that... i did see the project mk2 record cleaner and some cheaper ones on eBay.. any good? Can I use a home made solution or do I need to buy off the shelf? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevoz Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 (edited) Dusty and grimey.....My vote is for Revirginizer but maybe run them under tap first, without getting the label wet, and then dry carefully and lightly with a tissue (with the grooves, not across them) before applying it. This product will get your LP's back to a pristine groove deep clean but it does take awhile, as it has to 'dry/set' before peeling off. If you want to do quick cleaning for quicker playing, an RCM (record cleaning machine), if you can afford a decent one, will suffice. Good luck and enjoy the results! If you don't want to spend anything for now, just go 'rinse and tissue', the SQ results will tell you if they need a more thorough job. Edited January 1, 2018 by stevoz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EV Cali Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 There has been lots of discussion on record cleaning on this site over time. In fact some one started one today, just before yours. How many you intend to clean may be a factor in what way you chose. In my opinion you cannot go past Ultrasonic cleaning. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbsr1 Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 Thanks for that, yeah I noticed as soon as I posted that there was a thread already going... doh... I’ll check out the options on there as well as look at the ultrasonic cleaning too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 1 hour ago, chubbsr1 said: Hi all, ive just shipped over from the UK all my old records and they are a lot dustier and grimier than I remembered. I’m hoping to get some advice on what’s the best way to clean them up? How many LPs do you have? The answer for 1000 is different (IMO) to 100 ... to 10. 1 hour ago, chubbsr1 said: I do do have a carbon brush but they are a bit beyond that... The CF brush just cleans any dust on the surface that might've fallen there - it's not a "deep clean" solution! 1 hour ago, chubbsr1 said: i did see the project mk2 record cleaner and some cheaper ones on eBay.. any good? There are lots of wet/vac cleaners around, these days. I paid USD500 for my manual Nitty Gritty about 20 years ago. I thoroughly recommend it - but I believe they've just shut their doors ... so you need to find some other one. Project might be good - so are VPI etc. 1 hour ago, chubbsr1 said: Can I use a home made solution or do I need to buy off the shelf? Cheers Some people swear by various commercial (pre-made) solutions. I've always used a mixture of: IPA (isopropyl alcohol) distilled water (not just produced by pumping through a membrane - sorry, forget the name of this process ) a few drops of a surfactant (like Ilford Ilfotrol). The ratio of #1 and #2 has varied from 1:1 to 1:2. Andy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbsr1 Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 Some people swear by various commercial (pre-made) solutions. I've always used a mixture of: IPA (isopropyl alcohol) distilled water (not just produced by pumping through a membrane - sorry, forget the name of this process [emoji20] ) a few drops of a surfactant (like Ilford Ilfotrol). The ratio of #1 and #2 has varied from 1:1 to 1:2. Andy Thanks Andy, I’ve got a few hundred but I’m sure the collection will grow over time.. I’m looking at the ultrasonic bath link above and think that would probably be a good starting point then once I’ve got the hang of that if it’s any benefit to look at a record vacuum then I can do at a later stage.. The spin clean products you can buy at jb hifi I think will just end up in the bin soon after purchase so want to make sure I go around it the right way, but not spend $1k initially... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BATMAQN Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 The US bath will set you back about $500 to set it up depending on which motor setup you go for if you’re handy you might be able to rig something up for a lot less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Y Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 (edited) Hi @chubbsr1 - in AU the cleaner tanks (6 Litre, ebay) cost under $200 from what I've seen. Of course, I would have to agree with @EV Cali - our 'kit' will cost you just an additional $175 (+ postage). I used the traditional 20% IPA mix for years, but the pure detergent wash (eg Triton X-100) works better & sounds better (IMHO). (Additionally, US Library of Congress avoid alcohols in their record cleaning.) Cheers, Owen http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/ Edited January 2, 2018 by Owen Y Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbsr1 Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 Thanks Owen, is this the right size of ultrasonic cleaner? Seems a good price.... https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F262670463413 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 I have recently bought a "Squeaky Clean" 3d printed vacuum record cleaner (from an SNA'er). https://squeakycleanvinyl.com/ I haven't used it yet (have just sourced a wet vac. cleaner and some Triton X-100), but am very impressed with the build quality. It gets favourable reviews online, and there are "how to" videos showing the use. It requires a cleaning solution like the ones described above. It appears to rival the results of very expensive vacuum record cleaners (that have the vacuum cleaner built under the turntable). It's a lot cheaper than an ultrasonic, and you don't have to worry about drying the disks as much. The results from these vacuum cleaners and ultrasonics appear to similarly good, but you will note that individuals on the internet are passionate about their preferences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chubbsr1 Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Thanks for the link, funny I just bought a new wet n dry vac last week so this could be the cheap option to have a crack at least... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EV Cali Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, chubbsr1 said: Thanks Owen, is this the right size of ultrasonic cleaner? Seems a good price....https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F262670463413 looks identical to mine but I paid $180 a year or so ago. They appear to have progressively come down in price since then. I am tempted to buy a second one Edited January 3, 2018 by EV Cali Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Y Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 3 hours ago, chubbsr1 said: Thanks Owen, is this the right size of ultrasonic cleaner? Seems a good price....https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F262670463413 Hi @chubbsr1 - that certainly appears to be identical to mine, a PS-30A model, 220-240vac (rear label), 6 Litre. Cheers, Owen http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMARTPLAY Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 I bought this https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sonic-soak-the-ultimate-ultrasonic-cleaning-tool#/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Did you buy the 'Early bird' ... or the 'Late bird'? One seems more powerful than the other in that it's specced to 10l of fluid instead of 4l. Irrespective, I suspect you have not spent your money wisely. It appears to be only rated at 50w power ... and the frequency it operates at is not specified. So - for LPs at least - it is not the "ultimate ultrasonic cleaning tool". Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroen Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Andy, I think its 1 sonic soak does 4l, 2 does 10l, 3 does 15, 4 does 25l Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 On 17/05/2018 at 6:52 PM, Citroen said: Andy, I think its 1 sonic soak does 4l, 2 does 10l, 3 does 15, 4 does 25l Sure - but IMO he would've done better to have bought Owen's kit. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citroen Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Being purchaser of I think is Number One of Owen's kit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, Citroen said: Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Being purchaser of I think is Number One of Owen's kit! Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian McP Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 who's been tipping out their surfactant? https://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/repeat-offender-must-be-named-and-shamed-for-dandenong-creek-dump-20180520-p4zgga.html regards Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline Posted May 21, 2018 Share Posted May 21, 2018 55 minutes ago, Ian McP said: who's been tipping out their surfactant? https://www.theage.com.au/environment/conservation/repeat-offender-must-be-named-and-shamed-for-dandenong-creek-dump-20180520-p4zgga.html regards Ian The person responsible must have had a huge record collection to wash. Hope he had a vacuum-drying system, otherwise drying that many disks would have been difficult. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaynin Posted July 25, 2018 Share Posted July 25, 2018 Out of curiosity, should you clean your new vinyl if it's factory sealed? Or is there no need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimbo Posted July 25, 2018 Share Posted July 25, 2018 15 minutes ago, Kaynin said: Out of curiosity, should you clean your new vinyl if it's factory sealed? Or is there no need? I used to clean new records with my Nitty Gritty and they sounded better. Groove noise was lower. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Y Posted July 25, 2018 Share Posted July 25, 2018 (edited) Hey @Kaynin - IMO you do not need to clean a new record, but there is definite sonic benefit in cleaning new pressings. It cleans off manufacturing residue/s possibly & there is audible improvement. More dynamics, more resolution. With either brush/chemical cleaning & esp ultrasonic cleaning, IME. I try to do it to all my new vinyl (eventually, when I get around to it ) Cheers, Owen Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/ Edited July 25, 2018 by Owen Y 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ugly Posted July 25, 2018 Share Posted July 25, 2018 Out of curiosity, should you clean your new vinyl if it's factory sealed? Or is there no need?Yes. Some records moreso than others. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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