Turntable dust cover cleaning


Howdy. I have an issue with my Sota turntable dust cover. Pretty much every day, I have to clean streaks off the cover. There is a very high amount of static. I do run a very small humidifier as well. I live in Colorado (very dry climate) and the problem is worse on very dry days. I use Sprayway glass cleaner which has no ammonia and is safe for plastic. I'm assuming the cover is either plastic or plexiglass.

Here's a photo of it - https://imgpile.com/images/G1MMZ8.jpg

Any ideas?

Thanks much !

128x128hazeloop

@rhg3 - correct. It's picking up the static from the cloth. Same effect even if I run my hand across the cover.

Once you you get it clean, just use a very slightly dampened microfiber cloth with distilled water. 

@hazeloop are you saying that your Hudson HiFi anti static brush (under the dust cover) will move around when you’re running a cloth on the outside of the cover?

Thanks all for the feedback and advice. There are a couple of suggestions I'll try here regarding cleaning solution and microfiber cloths. I'll report back on results. And, as several have mentioned, it is not a scratch issue as the cover is in perfect condition. It is very much about the film that is a result of both the static from the dry climate, and perhaps use of Sprayway. I have a "Hudson Hi-Fi Vinyl Record Cleaning Arm Anti Static Brush" that will move around when I'm running a cloth over it, from the crazy amount of static. 

Seems to me that whatever you are using to "clean" is the cause of the residue in the photo. I have used Sprayway myself for windows and it is far from streak-free. You might get better results with a mild solution of distilled water and white vinegar.

For windows, I spray the window and then buff it dry with newsprint (yes, newsprint), but for the turntable cover I would use a soft, liny free cloth like one used to clean computer screens.

Not sure why all the talk about swirls, when that isn't the issue.

Nasty Scratches

I made a terrible mess out of a dust cover which was under something else I was working on. STUPID!

. I took it to my auto body shop. They got it down to the point where I could perfect it with the Nova 3 step kit

https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Acrylic-Scratch-Remover-Starter/dp/B07C45XV6W/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3AWYVHRDHKJRO&keywords=nova+3+step+scratch+remover&qid=1698599239&s=hpc&sprefix=nova+3+step+scratch+remover%2Chpc%2C61&sr=1-5

They also can buff up old cloudy plastic headlight covers on cars, big differences: amount of light and appearance

Everyone

OP is not talking about scratches, just streaks, static and dust

"Pretty much every day, I have to clean streaks off the cover. There is a very high amount of static."

Novus #1 is great.  It's supposed to have antistatic properties, so it may work for you.  If the cover is scratched, try #2 or #3 and then #1.

Novus plastic polishing kit. As @mijostyn said, work in straight lines. I don’t know if you will get them out, but you may be able to make them somewhat less visible. After that, just dust with a swiffer. If you can’t get anywhere with the Novus, buy a new one and just dust with a swiffer. 

Hi Hazeloop,

I am another long term SOTA owner. It looks to me that you have swirl marks on the dust cover. You can bring it back with a little elbow grease or a random orbital polisher if you have one. Go to Autogeeks and get the smallest bottle of Menzerna 2500. You can use a soft foam polishing pad on a random orbital polisher or a clean microfiber cloth and elbow grease. Rub vigorously in a straight line across the entire surface. Repeat until the marks are gone. After you bring it back clean only with a fresh microfiber cloth. Any dirt will scratch the cover. I spray with 50% isopropyl in distilled water. This will safely remove any fingerprints.