Brush/scrubbing ideas for VPI 16.5 record cleaner.


After missing several 16.5's on eBay and here, I broke down a bought one new. What's it like? In a word: excellent. I am really amazed how some albums really come to life after a good cleaning. Not only is the fizz and pop gone, but you move a couple of rows closer to the performance.

What I have noticed is that the supplied VPI brush needs to be used lightly. A heavy hand will leave faint scratches seen on the clear inside groove area. I can only assume this is not a good idea and these scratches affect the complete album. I do use copious amounts of cleaning fluid, so I assume the problem is with the brush and/or my technique.

Do you have any suggestions on scrubbing or cleaning generally dirty (i.e. thrift shop) albums. Do you let them soak? If so, how long? Do you worry about the alcohol content on long soakings?

Are you a scrubber? My tendency is lean in and use some elbow grease on a dirty album, but after seeing the tiny scratches, I need to rethink this technique. Any suggestions on a "kinder, gentler" brush; the cheaper the better.

Thanks,
rrick

Showing 2 responses by marakanetz

I also believe that no fancy Disk-doctor type of brushes are needed. At the same time the supplied brush is realy bulky and might scratch vinyl.
The best result I acheived using a Last broomes that look like a window cleaner.
Somehow I managed to use VPI for even stained and garage-acquired vinyls that can now easily can be graded VG.
I simply did a few cleaning cycles and it does the job.