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Drying time after a VPI record cleaner?

Hello everyone, I am curious what you all are doing in terms of drying time for your records after you clean them on a VPI vacuum record cleaning machine.  

I am using the VPI model 16.5.  My routine lately is to put the record on the cleaning plater, blast with an air compressor to remove the easy dust, apply 1 step cleaning formula with brush for 1 minute, vacuum for 3 revolutions, flip repeat.  After that, I set the record vertically in a small kitchen dish drying rack made of plastic coated metal.  I can fit 13 records in the rack, all vertical, none touching, and only coming in contact with the rack on the extreme edge of the vinyl, so no contact to the actual grooves.  I then leave them to fully dry out for several hours or overnight.  The thought is, I do not want any liquid that didn't get vacuumed up to remain. (though they look more or less dry to me, I figure it is possible to have some moisture still in there somewhere)

My question is, is this last step necessary?  Do you just put the record back into the sleeve after vacuuming?  Or, if you do use a dish rack like I do, how long to you let them dry?
marktomaras

Showing 2 responses by pryso

pryso
1,984 posts
 
Mark, I suspect your vacuum tube is not set at the proper angle. I’ve had a 16.5 for several years and the only drying issue is when any cleaning fluid or rinse is splashed onto the label area beyond the end of the vacuum tube. When that happens I use a dry dish towel to blot the label area after I remove the record.

For the drying cycle I note the position of the record relative to a place on the label and flip on the vacuum for two revolutions. After I shut it off there is sufficient vacuum to hold the tube in place for nearly another revolution before it lifts up.

Per VPI the slot in the vacuum tube should be set at about 185 degrees when viewed from the end. If it points straight down (180 degrees) it will not function properly.
pryso
1,984 posts
 
Mark, my VPI came with a small brush, like a miniature bottle brush.  It has very stiff bristles and seems to be effective cleaning the pads on the vacuum tube.  I use that every 2-3 records when cleaning several, depending on how dirty the records.

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