How To Clean | Maintain Analogue Vinyl Records

[NickNack]

On 2002-04-03 15:58, Bernie wrote:

Never "wet play" your records. Thoroughly clean and dry them before playing.

OK - This directly contradicts a method mentioned by Graham. Why do you object or think it's bad? Graham gives the impression a 'wet play' loosens the grit/grime and you can quickly wash it away.

Not trying to start any mess, you know... Just curious and really interested in any solid cleaning method. My bank account is hurtin' so a vac cleaner is on hold.

[Bernie]

On 2002-04-03 17:01, NickNack wrote:

OK - This directly contradicts a method mentioned by Graham. Why do you object or think it's bad? Graham gives the impression a 'wet play' loosens the grit/grime and you can quickly wash it away.

"Wet playing" sounds like an ideal solution-at first. In reality the liquid starts to evaporate as the record is played and the needle just starts to dig the junk further into the grooves and now contaminates the entire disc. It clogs up the styli muddying the sound and can cause damage to the styli and cantilever as water seeps into the cracks and erodes the glue that holds it together.

As this crud starts to dry it just makes it more difficult to now properly clean the record. Once a record is "wet played" it neeeds to be played that way again to sound acceptable.

With thousands of records in my collection the last thing I want to do is ruin them. Please don't "wet play" unless you know that you are going to discard the disc and want to get one last shot at it.

A good cleaning solution is made by Last, but it can be pricey. If you have over a thousand records it's best to simply "bite the bullet" and buy a vacuum machine. They are as low as the $200. range. Your records and ears will thank you for it.

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[Mixmachine]

I was preparing a reply but Bernie beat me to it, If you want to read more about “wet” play go to Audioasylum.com, in the vinyl section do a search for “wet” and you’ll find hundreds of posts; I wouldn’t use dish detergent either, if you can’t rinse it off your car you certainly don’t want it on your vinyl.

[BrunoRepublic]

On 2002-04-03 19:44, Bernie wrote:

As this crud starts to dry it just makes it more difficult to now properly clean the record. Once a record is "wet played" it neeeds to be played that way again to sound acceptable.

True, but if you rinse off the liquid before it dries, you'll be okay. You can also use this method to fix up records that someone else has wet-played, or improperly cleaned.

Now, I don't really advocate wet playing for the other reasons you mentioned, and I use a different stylus for this very purpose so as to not gum up my regular one. But I've come across two LPs so far for which this was the only way to salvage them. Regular cleaning methods had almost no effect. NickNack can vouch for me on this; he has heard the results.

[NickNack]

Bernie,
MixMachine,
Graham,

Thanks to all. Bernie mentioned debris buildup on the stylus which was a concern of mine. Also, the idea of the liquid drying while playing is scarey.

I think you really do have to know what you're doing. Graham used his 'wet play' technique on what I consider a priceless lp of mine by Sharon Ridley, produced by Van McCoy. I had virtually stopped playing it because the sound was so awful. The results are nothing short of AMAZING!! If you were rating the vinyl then he took it from "poor" to "very good+".

My problem would also be the ratio of alcohol to water so I don't think I'll screw around that way just yet. I will check out the website, MixMachine, and see what others are saying.
_________________

Life Is a Dance
Nicky


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[12incher]

I'm curious about this vacuum cleaning device for cleaning records? I have heard this can make records sound like new?

[Sami M]

I'd very much like to now a good and reliable cleaning method too. At another forum folks seriously recommended Zippo lightning fluid! They said that when gently rubbed on record it would efficiently remove all dirt and it itself evaporates.

Sounds odd, have you heard about this? Thought I try it on some worthless record to see what will be left of it.

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by Sami M

I'd very much like to now a good and reliable cleaning method too. At another forum folks seriously recommended Zippo lightning fluid! They said that when gently rubbed on record it would efficiently remove all dirt and it itself evaporates.

Sounds odd, have you heard about this? Thought I try it on some worthless record to see what will be left of it.

Hi Sami,

Welcome to the site.

When it comes to record cleaning stick with the time tested methods such as vacuum cleaning or LAST brand record cleaners. Even if Zippo does remove dirt... one doesn't know the checmical reaction it can have on vinyl either now or over time. Don't play with fire :-)

If you want to use readily available items then try Joy or Dawn dishwashing liquid. It cleans dirty records well, but you have to avoid getting it on the label and rinsing all of it off quickly. I usually finish this with a pass on a Nitty Gritty vacuum machine and it works very well.

Record cleaning machines, brushes, supplies...

Record sleeves

[Disco Funk]

My method for cleaning is pretty simple. First of all, I have those wooden handled brushes from several record cleaning kits. The liquid ran out, and I couldn't get any more cheap refills, so I've since switch to using distilled water on my vinyl in conjunction with the brushes. I always clean my records on the turntable, so I can turn it as I'm wiping away the water. If the dirt is really in there, I just put a bit more water and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then I use two or three brushes to get it off. The records definitely don't sound like new or anything after cleaning, as there will always be a little dirt. But I get them clean enough so the sound isn't muffled. Sometimes I'll need to even play it through a couple of times before I decide to record it to my PC and then burn it onto CD-R.

Disco Funk

[Cdnbob]

Does anyone know of any retailer or source in Canada where one can buy record cleaning kits and record sleeves? Sadly by purchasing stuff like this in the U.S. I'm likely going to get dinged by customs etc.