Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records

@robjordan I am based in the UK and have adopted the Manual Cleaning Method, using the solutions recommended.

To produce the correct mixture ratio's I purchased a weighing scale that is capable of showing a increment of 0.01g.

I also bought a Pump Up Pressurised Bottle, to pressure rinse the LP with a distilled water, I like to see this used as a rinse method, it certainly will wash of the  residuals, where as the mist bottle as a rinse, was a little too static when applied.   

There are other threads on here covering this same cleaning procedure during the time the PACVR Document was  Rev-02    

@robjordan I adopted some of the ideas on offer and added a few of my own methods.

I purchased a Multi Pack of Baby Scalp Cleaners in different colours, so that each cleaning stage has its own Coloured Brush and rinsing dish, this was an added measure to avoid cross contamination.

I Purchased a Collapsible Bamboo Bread Cutting Rack very cheaply for storing the LP's during the Pre Clean Period and for the air drying period.

I developed a method where I was organised and able to complete 10 LP's in approximately 1 Hour, or 6 Minutes a LP. I reserve this for dark wintery weather periods, it works wonders to overcome SAD, for a Vinyl Head, the bit of elbow grease required and good intention for valued items, are uplifting to the spirits 😎.

I also transfer the LP's to a Anti Static Sleeve when drying is complete, it seems to make more sense, than reinstating them in the Original Paper Sleeve.

I had intended on using a US Tank prior to adopting the manual cleaning methods but today, after being very very impressed with the end results from a manual cleaning am not sensing there is any need to consider this method, there is a new SQ on offer, that includes the sound of clean.  

The link has earlier forum discussion on this subject on Page 2, it might be useful to read.

Audiogon Discussion Forum

@antinn Hi Neil 

I am making an inquiry and I sense there is the best answer on offer from yourself, I hope you can assist with a guideline.

I have a Brush for cleaning LP's (Yukimu ADB-1) that has been quite a expensive purchase. What is really attractive about the Brush is the softness of the fibres and their never having become tangled at such a length.

These Bristles are so soft, I have been trusting with them to run the Stylus through them, which works for my purposes.

The Brush is now well used on cleaned LP's and has never been cleaned, I had once intended to Jet Blast it with distilled water from the Rinse Bottle used for Final Rinse when manual cleaning LP's. 

My inquiry is, should a cleaning solution be used that is the same as used for the LP's, as much of what the Brush ends up being in contact with, is no different to what is to be removed from a LP as part of cleaning.

My main aim is to have a Purified Fibre on the Brush, bit also maintain the very attractive softness of the fibre. Losing the softness would not be a deal breaker for LP cleaning, but it would end its usage for the Stylus.

Note: I have a selection of cleaning methods for the Stylus, the Brush is usually used when a surface noise is detected through picking up a local fluff fibre.  

@antinn Hi Neil Thank You for a very prompt response.

The Teflon is ordered in a 10mm Diameter.

A intense clean of the Brush does appeal, bit the use of Teflon will be put to the Test.

I am also feeling a temptation, do a little Macro Photography on the Rod as a Before and After use capture just to get my eye in again using Macro as well as see what the Particle attraction and collection looks like. 

The last time I did Macro Shoot, was a careful set up on a Cart' Body, where the penetration for the Cantilever to enter the inner of the Cart' was the focal point. The Cantilever was heavily laden with granular type particles and the collection of a variety of particulate at the Armature when viewing images was like a landscape from another world was being observed. 

There was no doubt in my mind the type of contamination seen would cause the Cart' problems, it was easily identified the Cart' was no longer in optimised condition.

It is hard to believe the LP only is responsible, there must be a large proportion of airborne particle being attracted to this point that is where the electrical generation begins.

@antinn Thank You for the follow up guidance, I am starting to feel very confident the correct approach to look after the equipment that looks after the LP is to be embarked upon  

@antinn Hi Neil, The Brush is now inspected as advised and what was discovered was way beyond what was suspected to be the findings.

Note: The Brush is only removed from the sheath Bristle Protector for a few seconds at a time to clean LP's having been cleaned using the PAVCR manual cleaning method for a LP, a LP can be cleaned mid play, depending on what the Stylus is doing with contamination affecting the sound. The Brush has had about 300 uses since the PAVCR has been adopted. It is not possible to recollect how many uses were carried out between when the Brush was purchased in early 2021 and my first use of the manual cleaning method, which I believe commenced in spring 2022. 

I have today witnessed substantial fluoresce particle count per Inch Square of approx' 50 - 100. I feel quite confident the Brush was quite contaminated prior to the new vinyl care adopted in 2022.

More importantly, I am feeling I have got back on track for my preparations for the Stylus to become a betterment. It looks likely I am soon to have a thoroughly cleaned ancillary to be the tool used whilst carrying out an important to myself discipline, that is not overlooked as an exercise, for being a part of using an Analogue Source in a audio system.

In my little world, the idea of not attempting to keep the Stylus in use, where at the interface for the Stylus being in contact with an environment that is not prepared to be most beneficial to it, is wasteful.        

@antinn Yes Neil I agree, how does one ensure the Stylus is able to function in an environment that allows for it to have the most optimised conditions to perform its role.

Using info supplied in the context that you are doing and keeping the focus of attention on Vinyl Only. Confidence is speedily generated as a result of using the guidance and the follow up of experiencing the outcome of practices undertaken when evaluating the cleaned replayed LP.

Today the PTFE Rod arrived as well, and within 15 minutes of the Rod being removed from the packaging, the Brush was noticeably cleaner under the UV Light.

A second session left very sparse amounts of fluoresce, I was left wondering if any other method could improve on this method.

A thought about a PTFE Comb has lead me to discover Combs with Teflon used for Grooming Animals, whether this type of tool used on the Brush will improve things further is an unknown? 

Today, I had visitors to experience recent changes made to the Audio System.

I was extremely confident the LP receiving a Pre Use Brush Clean was being done to the standard when the Brush was new.

The Grimace seen on a face when I showed the Stylus in the Brush and pulling the brush to myself was worth its weight in gold. I did have to explain by showing the unusual softness for the brushes  bristles.

More importantly there was very very little noise born from fibre contamination during a LP's replay.