The "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation"


The "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation"

 

I am providing this formulation for all who are interested in the very best, and can be proven and demonstrated to be the "Very Best". It can easily be made from available ingredients. On the surface, it appears to be very simple. However, it is based on extensive complex chemistry along with precise mathematical calculations and verifiable data.

 

You may use it with absolute confidence and be truly assured that it is beyond doubt the "Very Best". You may use it for your personal needs. Or, archival entities may use it for their purposes with confidence. Or, you may choose to start an enterprise that makes and packages quantities as either a "ready-to-use" or a "Semi-concentrated" version for sale and distribution knowing that nothing better exists. You have my blessings and encouragement with one condition. And, that is, that the pricing represents a "fair margin", and, not an obscene gouging, typical for such products.

 

Initially, I had prepared a presentation that briefly introduced myself, and provided the thought processes, design parameters, and the necessary basics of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to assure you and allow you to be absolutely confident in this formulation. I made a considerable effort to keep it as simple, but, also as thorough enough to achieve this confidence. However, that presentation entailed 5,239 words, typical of such a requirement, however, unacceptable in length by this website forum.

 

I have no option other than to offer the formulation as a 100% parts by weight version suitable to produce 1 Kilogram of the cleaner, and, invite you to question me about any aspect of the formulation.

 

Professionally, I am a Chemist, more specifically a Polyurethane Chemist. I have a Doctorate in Chemistry as well as two other Doctorates and a M.B.A.. I held prominent positions in significant corporations before being encouraged to start our (wife and I) manufacturing facility servicing those I previously worked for. We started, owned, and fully operated this business. We eventually obtained 85+% Market Share in our sector in Medical, Automotive, Sporting Goods, and Footwear areas before retirement.

 

The Audio Industry is extremely technical and many brilliant minds have contributed their talents over the decades in order that we may enjoy music today as we choose. Like many other technical industries, those of lesser minds and values invade the arena with their "magical" inspired revelations and offer their "magical" ingredients and items to all at extremely high prices. They promise that if only we are willing to part with our money - they can provide these items to you that make your audio system sound as if the orchestra, or vocalist, is in your room with you. And, after all, "magical items" must be expensive, otherwise, they would not be "magical".

 

This disturbs me enormously, and, it is for such reasons, I feel compelled to provide realistic and truthful information that conforms to basic Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematical Principals in those areas with which I am very knowledgeable and familiar.

 

          "Ultimate Record Cleaner Solution"

 

   Ingredient                                          Amount by Weight (Grams)

 

Distilled Water                                     779.962

 

Ethyl Alcohol                                       220.000

 

Tergitol 15-S-7 (Dow Chemical)            0.038  (Approx. = 2 Drops)

                                                         1,000.000

 

Important and/or Relevant Criteria

 

1.)  Distilled Water ONLY. Do not use deionized, tap, rain, or spring water. Distilled Water is readily available in most grocery stores. Check labeling to be certain that it is distilled and not deionized. The pricing is comparable.

 

2.)  Ethanol must be purchased at a "Liquor Store" or a "Liquor Control Board" that is suitable for human consumption, and the appropriate taxes must be paid. This assures that the alcohol consists of only Ethyl Alcohol and water. You need to purchase the 95+% version, also known as 180+ Proof. NOTHING ELSE is acceptable. (100% Ethyl Alcohol is not available under "normal" circumstances). Denatured alcohol from a Hardware Store or elsewhere is PROHIBITED, as well as ANY other alcohols.

 

3.)  Tergitol 15-S-7 is made by Dow and is available on the internet in small quantities from Laboratory Supply Houses such as Fisher and Advance, etc.. I have no affiliations with either Dow Chemical, or Fisher, or Advance. You MUST use Tergitol 15-S-7 ONLY. No other Tergitol product is acceptable for this designed formula, and you need to acquire the undiluted form only.

 

4.)  The above cleaner formula will result in a non-foaming (VLF) Surfactant Formulation that exhibits the following:

            Surface Tension of 28.5 dynes/centimeter @ 20 C. (68.0 F.)

            Surface Tension of 28.2 dynes/centimeter @ 25 C. (77.0 F.)

 

5.). A Surface Tension of 28.5 dynes/centimeter is Remarkable and will properly clean records of all organic soilings, and all oily substances, as well as very significant amounts of inorganic soilings.  This available Surface Tension coupled with the Azeotropic Characteristics of very rapid evaporation and spotless drying occur because of the selection of Ethyl Alcohol and the very specific concentration determined as 22.00% p.b.w., further improves the products abilities.  The "Ease-of-Use" and "Spot-Free" results are to be accepted.

 

6.). Be aware that an "ideal temperature of use" also exists for this formulation.  And, that reasonable temperature is 40 C. (104.0 F.). Further increases in temperature offers no improvement, therefore, confirming the proper use of the term "ideal". I mention this not because of of any substantial improvement, but, only to be aware of its’ existence. And, if you have a choice to utilize a room that is warmer than another, select the warmer room closer to 104.0 F. There is no need to elevate the temperature of the records or the materials. Simply be aware that 104.0 F. Is ideal.

 

If interest is expressed in this submission, I am willing to provide additional submissions regarding other materials, and, other areas of interest.  Such as"Best Contact Substance", "Best lubricants for turntables", " Better Dampening Materials" for turntables and tonearms, and, most significantly, "Best" material for "Turntable Platter/Vinyl Record Interface" usually called "Record Mats". The last item will certainly disturb many individuals and anger many suppliers.

 

Whatever I may contribute is substantiated by Science and Testing, and Verifiable. Science has no Opinions. Opinions in these matters are best reserved for those who rely on their imagination and wishful thinking.

 

Also, I have no vested interests in this Industry. Simply possess some scientific knowledge that also relates to some aspects of the Audio Area, and I am willing to share that information if requested!

128x128wizzzard

@wizzzard,

The discourse with using Hansen solubility parameters is not unknown - Hansen solubility parameter - Wikipedia.  My use of it within this forum was only as a prediction.  If your feelings on this subject are so intense, you have a possible avenue through Wikipedia to set the story straight if it needs to be.  

However, not to cause you any further grief, you may wish to check the math on the drops.  Drops can be 0.04 to 0.06 ml each (for those reading 1-ml water = 1-g).  I like the Nalgene Dropper Bottle that delivers a fairly accurate 0.04-ml/drop - Factors to consider in accuracy and precision of Nalgene Dropper Bottles (thermofisher.com).  

Peace

@wizzzard 

I think most of us on the forum just want to enjoy listening to music.  Any recommendations to help us along our musical journey are always welcome.  I hope you are able to enjoy listening to music as well.  There’s no need to get overwhelmed by anything on these forums, but I suppose if you get overwhelmed by anything, it’s best to be overwhelmed by good music!  I can recommend Chopin’s Nocturnes played by Claudio Arrau for starters. Enjoy!

Interesting thread.  Didn't read every single entry but have a few comments.

The Very Best uses Ethanol which commercial cleaners avoid. I assume that this have to do with alcohol regulations around the country. 

The function of Ethanol in the cleaner is a solvent to remove any greasy contamination on the record. Water is also a solvent but not as efficient for some types of contaminants.  Both distilled water and ethanol evaporates without leaving a trace on the vinyl - very good. 20% Ethanol also lowers the surface tension of water from 72 to 39. 

Adding surfactant reduces the surface tension further and helps get the liquid into the groves. Question is if Tergitol 15-S-7 leaves any residue behind on the record surface? Does anyone know?

If Tergitol has high solubility it may be removed with final a wash of distilled water or Water-Ethanol mix.  (Perhaps we should use distilled water with some Ethanol added as our standard final rinse? It might dry faster than just water and the lower surface tension should make it easier to remove with a vacuum machine.)

Lots of details on Ultrasonic cleaning has been reported in this thread. It appears that should be possible to design an optimized machine for USC of vinyl records. What bothers me is the extremely long time required for cleaning. An optimized cleaner would clean the record in a single revolution! One bubble collapsing will perfectly clean that spot.

So the commercial machines rely on some random cleaning and longer times increase the probability that a high percent of the surface gets impacted. Perhaps longer times also helps with regular cleaning by diffusion.

I had a few records USC by others and they sound better (subjectively). Thinking about getting a variable frequency tank with an LP attachment. The automated machines like Audio Desk would be more convenient. With the information in this thread it gets more confusing as commercial machines use different frequencies. Haven't found any direct comparison testing. Would it be hard to clean identical LPs and then record the spectrum?

 

 

@kylehildebrant 

Getting the Tergitol online is going to be a problem. None of the lab supply companies will ship to a residential address. What I did was order it and send it to my brothers company. But, the company has to be involved in science or medicine. You will have to get creative.

@mrthunder 

The amount of Tergitol is so slight that rinsing would be an unnecessary step. It is also very soluble and will dissolve into the next cleaning. It will not build up on the record. 
What we need here is a test of cleaning records contaminated with a calibrated formula of the usual contaminants by various methods.