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Record is noisier after cleaning:

Hello, I have recently got back into Vinyl and am enjoying it so far except for one frustrating thing at the moment.
I have fielded this question on another forum as well (just so you know), but I thought it couldn't hurt to get some thoughts here as well.

I have the Pro-Ject Xpression III I bought about 12 days ago.
I listened to a new LP of Dave Brubeck's Time Out without cleaning it. It sounded wonderful, very quite, just a couple of pops on side 1.

Then a few days later I got the VPI 16.5. Yesterday I cleaned the very same record using the VPI RCF and brush that came with the machine. I followed the VPI instructions only. I played the record right away after the cleaning and surprisingly it was noisier then before the cleaning. There were many more pops and clicks. The surface noise during the quieter tracks was much higher.

I've been using a carbcn fibre brush before every play and also one of those dry stylus brushes as well.

Afterwards I tried some other ideas. I cleaned the record again but this time after the vacuuming I let it air dry for an hour. It seemed to be quieter then before but still not near the noise free it was before.

I played it again this morning to get a reference and then cleaned it a third time but this time I also rinsed it with distilled water twice and vacuumed it one rotation each time for the rinse. I played it and again it is noisy.

I don't see any obvious dirt or lint on the stylus. Anyway, I played a used clean copy of Oscar Peterson's we get request without cleaning it on my VPI and it sounded very nice. Very little surface noise and I don't think I heard any pops and clicks if I remember correctly. So I don't think my stylus is really badly dirty or anything.

So I am not sure what is happening, why the Time Out LP has become noisier after the cleaning. I am afraid of cleaning my other new records right away until I know what I am doing wrong.

Also, it appears the VPI RCF and brush isn't very popular. Is that correct? Should I get another RCF and brush?

Thanks,

-- Sanjay
schugh

Showing 4 responses by schugh

schugh OP
19 posts
 
Thanks. Albertporter it was a new sealed LP.

-- Sanjay
schugh OP
19 posts
 
I've bought the MoFi (formerly RRL) Deap cleaner from my dealer. He did not have the Super Vinyl Wash in stock though.

Is the deap cleaner ok to use on new records? Or should I only use the vinyl wash on new records?

I've got some pure water ( 1 PPM Total dissolved solids) from a water supplier. They say it's used by medical and clincal environments. I plan to do 2 or more rinses with the pure water after the deap cleaner. Or should I wait and get the Super Vinyl Wash when my dealer gets it in stock?

I've got two brushes now. The original VPI version which I plan to use for the rinsing and a clearaudio brush (that's the only one my dealer had) which is thin with vinyl on it which I plan to use for the deap cleaner. I am still only using a single pick up tube though not sure if I should get another one. All this money is adding up. I think I've spent close to the same amount of money on cleaning as the Turntable itself.

I thought this was all going to be simple and straightforward when I got the VPI RCM! And then my dealer gave me a recipe for RCF so I thought great that ought to same me a bunch of money. But it's got Windex in it so that's going down the drain (a waste of $12)

Who new there was a whole world of Vinyl cleaning waiting for me out there to completely overwhelm me with all the choices.

Now I want to clean my records but am gun shy that I am going to do something wrong and ruin them.
schugh OP
19 posts
 
What is the vinyl communities general opinion on the formula from the Library of Congress and the National Library of Canada? They both recommend using Tergitol.

-- Sanjay
schugh OP
19 posts
 
Hi Tom, What do use to brush your felt pads?

-- Sanjay
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