Record-playing Rituals?

Frap, I used to use the rinsing with distilled water method, and TOTALLY agree with your comments as to the sound quality improvement it provided. I now have a new method that does not benefit from this and will explain.

I use Record Research deep cleaner with my VPI 17F, and a pickup tube and mount with the number one marked on top. After three rotations in each direction with the fluid, I vacuum for six rotations. Then I use Record Research Image Restorer, three rotations as above and 6 rotations to dry. Then I apply Last Record Preservative with a small short nap applicator and after about 20 seconds, I replace the pickup tube and mount with one marked number two. I then re wash with Image Restorer and dry six rotations again.

If the LP was really dirty, I use First, (brand name) with it's applicator and brush into the grooves until all the dirt and mold release compound is dislodged. When First was banned by the EPA ( Freon based) , I bought about twelve bottles, but I am now running low.

On all the above procedures, I use the built in VPI brush for the number one session, and hand hold a brand new VPI brush for number two session. When complete, the LP goes into a new paper sleeve and I replace the record jacket's outer plastic cover. I have a labeling program in my computer and generate stickers that indicate the level of cleaning procedure ( simple check boxes ). I also label whether the LP is an original, an older reissue, or a modern reissue. I even have labels indicating Promo and/or DJ copy, and 45 RPM. Obviously these stickers are applied only to the protective plastic cover, and not on the album art.

A valuable aid in the restoration of old and sometimes very dirty LP covers: Buy the Plexiglas cleaner, Novus Plastic clean and shine Number 1 ( not #2 or #3!) and spray a light mist directly on the cover. Immediately wipe with a clean cotton cloth, until the surface is clean and polished. It is easy to restore a pretty nasty cover to almost new condition. The varnish and dryers in the inks used to print these covers are usually aged and become faded, in addition to drying out. The polish will not restore color where it is totally absent, but it will improve what is there by an amazing degree, and without any harm whatsoever. Old albums that appear to have a plastic like finish on top benefit the most from this, with the dull paper like classical labels with their absorptive open pore finish, improved the least. Hope this helps you as much as it has me!

Frap. Yes, the effect of the Last solution has already benefited the vinyl a few moments after application. The final wash with the Record Research fluid is a minor miracle in retaining Last's benefits, while removing the (solvent?) obscuring tonal balance.

I also understand that the Last Record Preservative is effective at getting "under" microscopic particles that are typically not dislodged with normal cleaning procedures. Once they are released, the final wash with Record Research fluid gets the LP clean to a microscopic level.

On the comments concerning a final wash. I know that the RR fluid is manufactured with lab grade water. This is typically hundreds of times more pure than the distilled water from the grocery store. Water is a powerful solvent at lab grade purity level, and combined with the cleaning agent in the RR solution, makes for a perfect final wash. I believe that an application of distilled water afterwards actually leaves behind more contamination that stopping after the RR fluid.

In either case, the sound is best when the Last treatment is followed by a short additional cleaning. Let me know if any of you try my Novus cleaning trick on the covers. Best to you all!

Detlof, If you will e-mail me, we can exchange addresses. I have a sample bottle from the CES that normally retails for $25.00 that I will send you for free.

Sorry Brian. Of course you are right about the name change. I was one of the very first people to switch to RR fluid, having tried the home brews and name brands of the day. In fact, I gave away a gallon of a competitors cleaner after trying a small sample bottle of the Record Research.

I guess it has been seven years since this became my reference LP cleaner. My offer to share with Detlof was almost instinctive, I have given samples to many of my regular "music night" visitors. None of them ever cleaned an LP with another product after hearing the results.

Having just shipped samples of RR cleaner to both Detlof ( in Switzerland) and Sedond ( USA) , I look forward to reading comments as to the outcome of their tests.

Detlof, glad to hear you are giving the Record Research fluid a workout. There are a couple of issues with testing these cleaners that should be considered. First, the fluid I sent you was part one of a two part solution. It is the heavy duty version, developed as a replacement for the (EPA) banned "First" which was a Freon based product. A second cleaning should be done with Record Research Vinyl Wash, the more dilute every day cleaner.

Do I understand from your post that you washed with the Record Research and then washed again with Nitty Gritty? If so, you have not heard the Record Research properly. You should wash off the Nitty Gritty with the RR and do no additional rinse for your next test. The only bottle of Vinyl Wash I had on hand was the 32 oz. size, and no small "clean" containers to make up a sample.

I will ask RR if they will send me sample size versions of Vinyl Wash, or mail me some clean sample bottles, and I will pour you enough for the test. I just wanted you to have the chance to hear this for yourself, and sent what I had on hand. Judging from your well written post, you appear to be (mostly) favorably impressed. Perhaps the follow up rinse with this additional RR product will provide the magic you are after.

Doug, Maicomike, Slawney, Deshapiro, and others, are you interested in trying this too? If so, I should know in advance so I can ask for some extras when I contract RR. Hopefully all of you will follow up with your own results if you wish to become involved.

Detlof, that is a very interesting situation that has happened to you. I am not certain I have any better explanation, but would like to offer the following.

Usually, only the best new releases, such as the 45 RPM reissues from Classic Records, do not benefit from a cleaning with the RR fluids. Perhaps the extra care afforded to these specialty LP's make cleaning either unnecessary, or at least (in some cases) less important.

Perhaps the old LP you had was pressed differently on one side, as you suggested. Another more likely situation is that it was overplayed. When that LP was new, and popular, many people were still using Scotch tape to fasten coins to the turntables tonearm. This was often the remedy when a new stylus was needed. It would only require one time with an auto play turntable left unattended to destroy the delicate material. I know of times in my youth when families left an LP on as background music, letting it play for hours on the same side. A brand new turntable with the best cartridge will damage an LP if that policy is followed. Back then, it would take little more than once with a coin taped in place.

Please continue to test, especially with newer and more predictable pressings. The RR fluid is manufactured from lab grade water, and VERY little cleaner. The active ingredient is carbon based, and contains no alcohol, detergents or lubricants. If properly vacuumed (VPI) I cannot imagine that there is much left except the vinyl surface.

It is possible that the LP was treated with a silicone spray or cloth (popular long ago) and the through washing removed all the coatings that had accumulated. In theory, that should have provided an improvement, but as with all things in high end, the strangest things do happen. Please keep us up to date on your progress, and thanks for sharing the test results so far.