Really basic brush question


Forgive me if this sounds stupid, but I've been wondering for a while. When I use a carbon fiber brush on records, I hold the brush in a line from the center of the record to the periphery and turn the record underneath it. Eventually there is a line of dust extending radially on the record. Now here's the question: When you're done brushing, how do you get this line of dust off? Do you simply brush it off to the outside of the record? Or perhaps go after it with a damp cloth?

Thanks in advance for trying to clear up (what should be) a really basic question.
sufentanil

Showing 1 response by chipman

I have tried nearly all the available brushes (and still have them in a box somewhere! Here are my thoughts:

1) Dry method/Carbon Fibre - Hunt, Decca, AQ
Goes nice and deep and good only for dusting relatively clean LPS. Have not found a satisfactory method to remove final dust line. Bristles left on LP as already indicated.

2) Wet/velvet type pads - Audio Technica Sonic Broom, DiscWasher, Watts, Last, Disc Doctor, Obitrac
All have similar results and are better for lodged dirt.
The cleaning solutions used prevent the line but depending on how thorough I am, and sometimes a residue is left.
Of these my preference is the Audio Technica.

3) Maxell Vacuum - a device that spins around the record with a rotating brush and vacuum. Good only for loose dust but needs Zerostat and fresh batteries to be affective.

4)I did have one of those devices that looks like a tonearm. At the "cartridge" end there were CF brushes in front where the needle would be and and a rotating velvet roller behind. This was actually quite affective at keeping LPs dust free each time it was played. The CF tip digs the dirt up and the velvet picks up the rest.

I finally bought a VPI 16.5 for deep cleaning new and used LPs. The brushes are now used in conjunction with the Zerostat for maintenance purposes only exactly as Opalchip has described - CF for getting at the dust and velvet for removal of the line.