Stylus cleaner

Mr_M, the Stylast friction reducing fluid is the product I've used for many years. I once bought their stylus cleaner and it seemed to work just fine, but the results didn't seem to be any better than using Magic Eraser.

Home brew stylus cleaner experimentation strikes me as an endeavor ripe for future regret. As I'm sure you know, many cartridge manufacturers advise against any wet cleaning at all. That said, I've used Stylast for many years with no ill effect (Grado woodies and Ortofon moving coils) Having inadvertently spilled it, I know it evaporates very, very fast. It evaporated so fast it was more like ether or acetone than alcohol. Anything that doesn't evaporate fast has greater potential to migrate into places it doesn't belong. If it is too aggressive a solvent it can soften the adhesives some styli are glued with. A $35.00 bottle of Stylast lasts me for two years of daily use, not a significant expense in the grand scheme of things. Especially considering what a cartridge replacement or retip costs.

I might also mention that I had one occasion to use a home brew stylus cleaning solution. I'd purchased a used Garrott Optim FGS cartridge whose condition was wildly misrepresented by the seller. After it arrived and I looked at it under a loupe, it appeared to have never been cleaned. The stylus was buried under what looked like a ball of welded on black tar. Seeing it was basically useless as it stood and I had nothing to lose, I removed the stylus assembly and fastened it with a gob of blu-tack under a dissecting microscope. Using 100% isopropyl alcohol on a small brush, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and tiny strips of 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper, I slowly cleaned off the tar ball. After about 45 minutes of cleaning, it looked like new again.

My thoughts are rather along the lines of Bpoletti's regarding the effectiveness of relying entirely on Magic Eraser with a dip 'n dunk technique. I use Magic Eraser after every play, but have always used it with a "sideswipe" and a dunk. I cut the stuff into little 3/16" blocks and glue those to 2" x 1/4" pieces of popsicle sticks. You can use the top 90 degree edge of the little block of ME wipe the side of the stylus and cantilever without dragging the stylus through the fibers. You do need a very steady hand and really good eyesight to do it safely, so be forewarned. I've been "upper case shouted at" on certain other audio websites for even suggesting this. Like I said, I've got a steady hand and I'm really nearsighted. LOL. To tell the truth, I use Stylast because of its purported positive effects on stylus longevity. It would be interesting if there were ever any third party validation of Stylast's claims. I also understand why a cartridge manufacturer is going to recommend against wet cleaning. They have no way of knowing what solvents are going to be used in the myriad variations on the market or if a ham handed individual is going to over apply the liquid.