What is the best way to clean records?


This was a quest I feel I accomplished. The ultrasonic cleaners seemed to be the best way. I bought a VPI Cyclone and returned it without opening the box. I knew that it was very important to well clean records but felt that just vacuuming the wet records was not very effective. That there would be dirt or stamping process solution would remain on the LP. The Kirmiss process seemed very effective but way too complicated, difficult and time consuming. And it still seems like a lot of junk would remain deep in the groves. Then I heard about the rather famous Keith Monks Record Cleaning Machines. Their RCM was developed and used by the BBC. And the machine is used by the Library of Congress and many pros, etc. And I wrote to Better-Records and they told me they use the Keith Monks RCM and most of their better LPs are used and sell for $199++!
I was most attracted by their process of using a medical grade vacuum pump and tone arm like arm with an end piece that runs barely over the record groves slowly removing all the cleaning solution, dirt and the oil-like stuff the use to be able to stamp the records. And it is very gratifying to watch the junk completely removed as the arm  takes about a minute running across to the edge. Every record comes out looking better than a brad new with a surface that shines. And, most of all, the fidelity of the sound has jumped up as much as a major component upgrade. I just emptied my first full jar of dirty solution. Man was it dirty. All that junk was on my records!
mglik

Showing 1 response by mglik

HI Charles,
The RCM vacuums off solutions with a nozzle at the end of its arm that is suspended slightly off the record bu a thread in between
that is automatically replaced. And the vacuum pump is a large and powerful medical grade one. If the nozzle touches the vinyl on a slightly warped record, it will stop the rotation and lift the record. To prevent this, I use a Stillpoints 1.6 lb record weight.
It is the only divise that suctions off its solution a grove at a time reaching deep down to the bottoms.
And I asked about new records. Keith said that new records need the cleaning most of all. There is an oil-like substance applied to the vinyl before it is stamped to allow it to be released. I notice a huge difference in new records as well as old.
Charles, I actually thought that you had recommended the KM RCM in a post. I did confirm that Better-Records uses one as well as many dealers who offer their clients a free cleaning service. It is super fun to watch it in action! Very gratifying. Once a record undergoes this deep cleaning it is good for years if stored properly.