2. analog
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What is your record cleaning regimen?

I am just getting into vinyl, and inheriting records, buying some used and most recently a few new. 

I have only a few hundred records so far, but I have invested in cleaning supplies.

Specifically, I have various pre-set solutions (groovewasher, Tergikleen, distilled water, simple green), a goat hair brush, micro fiber cloths, a baby scalp scrubber and a DeGritter machine (extravagant at this stage, but a huge time saver).

Here is my regime at this point. For any new record, whether inherited or bought, used or new, I wipe it with a dry cloth or the goat hair brush to remove any initial dust. Then I cover the label and spray some solution on it and use the baby scrubber to distribute the liquid around to cover the surface. Then I use a padded microfiber to wipe it off. Then I Degrit.

Btw, I tried WD-40 once, which does work to remove crackles, but subsequent cleanings cause those crackles to come right back, which to me indicates that WD-40 is leaving a residue on the record which I suspect is not helpful in the long run.

Likewise, the goat hair brush is so far disappointing as it seems to shed hair on the record which somewhat defeats its purpose.

Interested in other people's processes and I have a question. I have some older records that have persistent crackles. Will cleaning ultimately make those go away or do I just need to get over it?

I have ordered a record label protector that will allow me to wash in the sink with soap and water in the hopes of getting the ultimate clean.

Any thoughts from the analog folks here would be great.

saulh

Showing 1 response by 4krowme

4krowme's avatar
4krowme
542 posts
 

pindac,

 FINALLY, someone posted a well written and informative paper that first seemed daunting to read all the pages, but it gets to the real scientific proof of cleaning vinyl in a specific way. All too often people just wipe an album with a brush or cloth and consider it to be sufficient. 

 By looking at the microscopic photos of both a stylus and the vinyl itself, maybe it will become clear that this is not like washing your dinner dishes. The results have to affect the removal of debree on the same level as the stylus encounters them.

  It makes me wince when people use products not remotely intended or designed for the purpose at hand. WD-40, Mr. Clean eraser,  Scotch Guard, blue tack, and so much more used in stylus cleaning and the vinyl as well.

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