What to use if I just want one cleaning fluid?


I'm willing to consider distilled water as a post cleaning rinse fluid (g). But if I'm going to use a VPI cleaner for my disks, and I want to use just one over-the-counter fluid to clean both new and old records in an acceptably effective manner, what should I use?
tonyptony

Showing 3 responses by audiofeil

Pick a brand name. They are far more alike than different. Only marketing sets them apart. You'll read all sorts of posts favoring this fluid or that fluid but the simple fact is you're cleaning plastic discs not a cashmere sweater.

Most are 99% water, a little surfactant, and maybe a drying agent. Some add a little snake oil. For 20 years I've been using a wash developed for me by a chemist who worked for the same company I did. My records are as clean and probably cleaner than the next guy.

Far more important IMO are the brushes, vacuum, and time taken to clean the vinyl.

Steaming is a good tool as well.

YMMV
>>Remember that RUBBING contains acetone<<

Acetone is never found in rubbing alcohol. However, it may contain a small amount of ethanol.
Let me clarify my previous post. It concerned the generic term “rubbing alcohol” as used in the thread. In this context we are discussing the use of isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol USP, BP (USP is United States Pharmacopeia and BP is British Pharmacopeia; both are standards set by the government) contains 68-99% of isopropyl alcohol by volume, water, color additives, stabilizers, and perfume oils.

The other type of rubbing alcohol available is Rubbing Alcohol USP, BP. This product uses ethanol as its’ base (70%). The balance is water and ATF denaturant forumula 23-H (to make it undrinkable) which contains tiny amounts of MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone), DMK (aka acetone), and ethanol.

Look at the label to see what you are using.