lighter fluid for cleaning records

**dj phillip esparza** · April 15th, 2004, 04:57 PM

don't know much about this method but some record shop use it on their records.it does give the records a nice gloss.but is it good needles.what are the pros and cons.

**Bernie** · April 15th, 2004, 05:03 PM

Phil,
Never use lighter fluid on records!!! If you don't have a good record cleaner solution (Discwasher, Last...) handy then use isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) or dishwashing liquid.

**dj phillip esparza** · April 15th, 2004, 07:46 PM

thanks bernie,i use discwaher d4 with that big wooden handle and brown cushion.

**Eurodancemix** · November 19th, 2004, 07:40 AM

Oh my goodness!!!! No, no, no, no, no...NEVER use lighter fluid on your records, they'll melt! Literally.

If you can't find a record cleaner like Discwasher, use dish detergent.

I put a squirt of Dawn liquid in a sink of cold water. Using a soft dish cloth, wash and rinse quickly under cold water. Use a soft lint-free cloth to dry. Allow to completely air dry for 10 minutes or so. Dawn is great as it leaves no residue behind. Avoid any dishwashing liquid with hand softeners in it.

**disco-disc** · January 9th, 2005, 01:17 PM

Bernie, Why did you say NOT to use dishwashing liquid ?

**Bernie** · January 9th, 2005, 01:26 PM

Originally Written by starsky

Bernie, Why did you say NOT to use dishwashing liquid ?

I didn't say that, but I can see how one may think that after the way I wrote it. I only meant not rubbing alcohol. Sorry about that.

Now that you got me on the subject though :-) - try not to use dishwashing liquid with moistureizers and other additives. I always found plain Dawn or Joy worked pretty well on filthy flea market records followed by a thorough rinse and a final pass on the record cleaning machine.

**disco-disc** · January 9th, 2005, 01:57 PM

Bernie, Thanks for clarifying.
Although in the UK we get 'Fairy Liquid' dishwashing solution (not the one's you mentioned).

(I have, whisper it, just cleaned a good few hundred in it !!!- hence the anxiety).

I put a very small drop in with lukewarm/cold water and wash.
Then dry immediately with a soft towel, and then use a record cleaning spray with a record cleaning pad to clean off (hopefully) any excess.
Followed within a few hours with a final play on my deck.

I hope that one day I don't remove a sleeve only to find a warped, pitted, melted record !! That would be like destroying the Turin Shroud !!!
Cheers

**Bernie** · January 9th, 2005, 02:05 PM

As long as you rinse the suds off well and follow up with a regular record cleaning solution then I wouldn't be concerned.

**disco-disc** · January 12th, 2005, 12:02 PM

DJPhillip, Are you sure that the record shops were not just getting labels off of sleeves ?
The lighter fluid actually removes the sticky labels from sleeves, if done correctly and any excess carefully removed.