how to clean nasty, dirty finger prints on LPs

A blowtorch judiciously applied should do the trick.

Try pure 99% isopropyl alky if you can still find it or straight 90% if not. Put a drop on the print and lightly spread it to cover with a corner of your record brush. Let it sit a few moments. Then brush it round with the brush as usual. Try again if it doesn't work the first time, then give up. The stuff's great for removing adhesives from CD cases too. Side note: in the United Kingdom isopropyl is kept behind the pharmacy counter to prevent young people from ingesting it for fun.

Windex. Just a bit on a microfiber cloth and rub the fingerprints gently. Follow up with a good rinse. This works well for me on used LPs where the fingerprints may have set in for a long time, mostly around the edges.

thanks for the suggestions to you all. blowtorch is a bit of overdone. :-)

to Rockvirgo: is alky also called alcohol in U.S.? :-)

to Zargoz: I read from other thread that we need to be careful with Windex, However, it sounds that it works for you. Have you checked your LPs sometimes after you applied Windex to them?

I also noticed that when I used Perfection steamer on LPs, I got a bit of burning vinyl smell. My steamer's noozle was about 4 inches away from LPs.
anyone notice that?

One more thing: I tried to rub it with my finger on the edge of LP. it seems to be working. I am afraid of doing it on grooves so I will do more harm than good.

Support your Dealer. Buy a new one.

try some premier record cleaner (music direct or accoustic sounds) than a scrub with a record cleaning machine seems to work fine for me.

Some finger prints leave a permanent mark but I'm finding that most are pretty well eliminated by the combination of Disc Doctor fluid, steam, reagent grade rince, and the VPI 16.5. All these things together contribute and honestly marks hardly ever persist. The steam and Disc Doctor break it up. The Disc Doctor emulsifies it. The steam and reagent grade water rince it and the DD fluid away. The vacuum sucks it up to almost completely dry. I then allow the disc to sit in a dish rack to completely dry before sticking it in a MoFI sleeve. Pretty much all that doesn't come off are scratches and sleeve scuff.

I applied with 100% Ethly Alcohol on a piece of face tisuue, rubbed on the finger prints, rinsed it with distilled water, repeated a couple of times. most of finger prints are gone, or get thinner.
However, I feel the sound is getting bit thinner also now comparing to the other side I don't clean. It could be just me. :-(

Xctian,

I think some of the reports of Windex being damaging to vinyl may be caused be the tendency of those who use Windex on their records to also use paper towels. The paper towel will leave behind tons of paper fibers which is quite noisy and will increase record and stylus wear. I haven't noticed any adverse effects from the Windex. I feel using a small amount is safe, not sprayed directly on the record but onto the cloth. Followed by a good rinse (I usually use the Windex before my entire 3 step cleaning) I don't see much risk of damage.

I use the Audio Intelligent products, and sometimes the steam cleaner. On it's own, that regimen is not enough to remove thick, oily fingerprints.

USE RUBBING ALCOHOL WITH A CLEAN CLOTH OR PAPER TOWEL. THIS ALSO APPLIES FOR DIRTY RECORDS BUT UP TO A POINT. LIGHT DIRT IS EASILY REMOVED BUT IF THE RECORD IS TOO FAR GONE, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.