2. analog
  3. 1201911411

Is it the Windex?

When I first got back into this hobby I started buying used LP's from the dealer across the street. Very nice guy starting his own store. Prices seemed reasonable, quality was OK. I got some very nice stuff.

Over the past 2 years LP's have risen from a "usual" $3-7.99 to $7 - 15. I've also noticed that whether they're described as near mint or VG++ they have continuous pops and ticks even after I clean them with L'Art du Son and Disc Doctor Quick Wash Record Cleaner on my VPI 16.5.

Though I can hear crisp grooves on the better discs the popcorn noise drives me nuts.

Lately, I've notice he stands behind the counter cleaning records with Windex and paper towels. Is he doing something with that that trashes the records beyond redemption?

I've made up my mind to quit buying from him altogether, though he's the nicest guy in the world. The stuff I get from E*bay and Goodwill cleans up better.

Any thoughts?
joe_in_seattle

Showing 2 responses by jependleton

jependleton
155 posts
 
The ingredients in the Windex will have a tendency to harden, rather than remove, certain protein-based contaminants. These ingredients will also tend to trap and hold micro-dust from the paper towels.

He's actually making the records much harder to clean properly.

Jim Pendleton
Osage Audio Products, LLC
jependleton
155 posts
 
Hi Joe,

Isopropanol is generally used in record fluid formulas, such as ours, to harden dissolved protein deposits in order to keep them from reattaching to the record. The water and the cleaning method as you described would not normally be sufficient to dissolve such deposits thoroughly enough to keep them from being hardened on the record, thus manifesting as a "crackling" noise during playback.

Rubbing hard with toilet paper wouldn't be such a great idea either. Those records, although more difficult to clean, can be cleaned with a little effort.

Best regards.

Jim Pendleton
Osage Audio Products, LLC
More to discover