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Record cleaning fluids

I've read a lot of posts asking about best or preferred fluids.

Through basic use and cleaning I think I've come up with some helpful information to pass on to others.

I use a VPI 1 hw17 cleaner. With this I've used the Vpi fluid , a gallon jug. I then tried RRL, which I believe is MOFI now. I usually use 75/25 of their regular and deep cleaning type. I've been using this for a couple of years.

Running low on RRL, I decided to try something else and ended up with LeArtDuSon, concentrated fluid. I mixed the bottle with a gallon of distilled water.

I set up this cup contraction which spent fluid goes into one of those plastic take out containers. After 1 month of use with the LeArtDuSon, I noticed the spent fluid was dirtier, an amber almost beer like color, whereas before with RRL and VPI fluids, it was usually clear.

I can only surmise, the LeArtDuSon is cleaning more from the record surface, therefore is a better cleaner than the RRL and Vpi fluids
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Showing 1 response by rodrigaj

rodrigaj
32 posts
 
I bought some Tergitol from TALAS Online and now mix my own per the library of congress recording preservation web site.

I bought one pint of Tergitol, for $20, use 2 ml per gallon. I have enough for my entire life and probably won't have made a dent in the original pint when I am buried. LOL

Works as well as anything I bought commercially and I have been cleaning records for over 20 years. Rinse with distilled water is imperative.

All cleaners are mostly distilled water anyway. Three choices: Alcohol based, surfactant based, enzyme based. (Light, medium, heavy). But I don't want to start another cleaner war, so I'll leave it at that.
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