Record Cleaner Advice?


The recent refurbishment of my analog front end has me thinking it would be wise to get myself a new-fangled record cleaner.  My old Nitty-Gritty still works, but I'm sure you all have much to tell me about newer, better options.  Advice please!

Not that it matters much, but my front end: SOTA Star Sapphire with new bearing, SME V overhauled by Alfred Kayser in Canada (dismantled, cleaned, new ceramic bearings and shotgun Cardas gold litz cables from cartridge to preamp) and new Audio-Technica ART9XA.  I need clean vinyl!
keegiam
@pindac,

For the 5% Acidity White Distilled Vinegar  - this you buy at your local grocery store.  Its generally provided in 1-pint (~500 mL); 1-quart (~1L) and larger containers. The pint containers I buy have screw top threads that are used by many sprayers.

The Dehyphon will work just fine (its the EU/UK alternative to 15-S-9) - just add 2-3 drops/500 mL.  In this case, exact measurement is not critical, so to keep simple just add 2-3 drops/pint.  If you want to go the extra step of measuring it out - assume 20-drops/mL; so I am using ~0.1 to 0.15 mL/475 mL and 1-mL = 1000 mg; so 0.1 mL = 100 mg; and 0.15 mL = 150 mg (per pint = 475 mL).  

Amazon Recommended Concentrate Cleaner >DIW as the
Pre Clean Solution and Dehyphon >DIW as the Final Rinse Solution.
I am going to assume that this is your actual current cleaning process:

Pre-clean:   Amazon Recommended Concentrate Cleaner /DIW
Rinse:  Flowing Tap-water 
Final-clean:  Dehyphon/DIW
First Final Rinse:  Flowing Tap-water
Final Rinse:  DIW

Otherwise - what is  "Ultrasound Solution"; can you provide a link?

 
I’ve just ordered my first record cleaning machine: Record Doctor IV along with Audio Intelligent cleaning fluid. We’ll see how it goes!
Hi @antinn 
                    Thank you for the continued support and tutoring.
The Conversion to (mg) makes my life much simpler as I have invested in a Scale to support with producing the producing the recommended Solutions.

I will need to revisit your Aqueous Download to take confirm my recollections on the use of a Ultrasound with a Rinse Solution.
From recollection the Solution used in a Ultrasound would have to be more the Dehyphon with a increased dilution, producing a different to the Manual Cleaning  Applied Solution.

I live in a Hard Water Area, this produces collections of Lime Scale Deposits on Various surfaces over time.
My Cleaning is carried out with Rinses of DIW.
1, Amazon Solution applied from a Mist Nozzle Bottle,
Goat Hair Brush/ Fine Bristle Cradle Cap Brush. 
1a, Rinse Bruhes
2, DIW applied from a Mist Nozzle Bottle,
Goat Hair Brush
2a, Rinse Brush
3, Dehyphon Solution applied from a Mist Nozzle,
Bottle Goat Hair Brush/ Fine Bristle Cradle Cap Brush.
3a, Rinse Brushes
4  DIW applied from a Mist Nozzle Bottle,
Goat Hair Brush/  Fine Bristle Cradle Cap Brush.
4a, Rinse Brushes.
5, Flush the LP with a Squeeze Bottle applied DIW.

I am considering using a Gardeners Portable Pressured Pump Bottle to produce a powerful flow to mimic a Running Tap.
With a little bit of extra preparation it should be easy to get this bottles water Temperature up to 30ish Degrees Celsius to represent a Luke Warm Water.  
This method can be utilised as a Step 2b, 3b, 5.

I have found Multipack Fine Bristle Cradle Cap Brushes.
I intend on having a Brush set aside for each solution.

I have owned the Goat Hair Brush as a unused Wet Cleaning Brush for many years.
It has been given a chance to assist with cleaning, is it a necessary stage ??
It only adds a Minute to a Process so it is not too inconvenient.

My Implements are starting to arrive for my thoughts on how to improve the Vinyl Handling.
I am keen to try out the methods thought out during the initial cleaning experience undertaken, these have evolved a little in the past days and items were selected for the purpose.
I will update on the reassurances I feel are on offer through utilising the implements.       
@pindac,

Recognizing your issue with local very hard tap-water, your process looks great - try the distilled white vinegar before the Dehyphon final clean and that should improve your results.  

I was misunderstanding your term "Ultrasound Solution"; I now realize you are discussing use of an ultrasonic tank (UT) for the final rinse.  In this case, since you are doing a pre-clean and final clean, but with only a spray for rinse (I understand your tap-water issue) use of a ultrasonic tank for final rinse  may improve the process.

If you proceed down this path, for final rinse using UT, 1st try using only DIW and see how that works.  If you are not satisfied then add 2.5% IPA and see if that improves the results.  As the final option add 0.005% Dephyon to the UT 2.5% IPA solution.  UT results will be very dependent of the orientation of the transducers (side firing vs bottom firing); kHz frequency, tank capacity (Liters) and ultrasonic power.  Lower kHz UT (~40kHz) need a lot of power to get good cleaning with just DIW.  

Good Luck,
Neil
As a Update on the evolvement of my Vinyl Handling Practices for the increased assurances of Handling Vinyl during the Aqueous Cleaning Manual Cleaning Guidance.
I will offer a report on my first impressions about a couple of implements I have bought in,  to produce a, 'what is believed to be' improvement on handling the Vinyl.

Firstly, I tried the Lever Operated and Clear Rubber Plunger Push Down Operated Suction Pads on a Ceramic Side Plate that was seemingly having a increased weight over the LP on standby.
As a guestimate 25% heavier than a LP.

Either Implement remained adhered to the Plate for periods of time that extend to more than a Hour and on revisits during this time allowance the Side Dish was picked up using the attached implement, as well as undergoing a few hand rotations.
There were no concerns for the integrity of the attachment.

I then set out to try these on the Vinyl LP .
My initial Set up was quite simple the Centre of the Clear Suction Pad has a obvious colouration difference to the Flexible Flanges.
I placed the Suction Pad on a Table with the Suction Cup Facing Upwards aligned the LPs Spindle hole with the centre of the Suction Pad using the Colour difference to gain a near accurate positioning and then Placed the LP onto the Suction Cup when aligned at this position.
The Lever Suction Cup was then aligned to be near centred and the Suction Cup was set in place.
'Voila' we now have a LP that can be picked up and manoeuvred with Pressure Applied to its surfaces with out too much concern. 
The initial Observations showed that the Lever Suction Pad could draw the Vinyl toward it creating a slight dishing of approx'
 (3 Inch ) Diameter to a Depth of 1.5mm (1/16 Inch).

Disclaimer:
The LP still appears Vulnerable and at the Mercy of the Air Seals, using this as a Handling Method.
Trial and Error Experimentation unwanted LP would give a good idea of the Parameters of usage.
The Lever Operated Suction Cup is a Method I had seen on Youtube, 
but two were used, one on either side of the LP to create the Air Tight Seal. 
The Clear Suction Cup was chosen by myself as it will be utilised on a soon to be built support to further assist with the LP Handling. 

The Two Suction Pads I am using will hold a secure fasten for approximately 10 Minutes, a Dishing can still be seen in the LP.
After about 15 Minutes the Suction Pads have lost their adhesion.

For me this is fine as a outcome,  as my additional Stand being produced will alleviate and concerns about the time a suction is to be maintained.
The Suction Cup with the Handle will be the immediate available one to assist with rotations of the LP, when it is mounted on the Stand.
Resetting the Suction Pump will be a veryu easy operation as well.
My Cleaning Processes per side will not last longer a few minutes at a time, so again the concerns of the useful loss of adhesion after 10 minutes is not causing any concerns.

The Two Lever Hand Suction Pad used as a Pair may exceed the Suction Times I have recorded for my method used.
If this method is picked up on on Youtube, in the manner I discovered the method , then I recommend trial exercises for the handling using a  unwanted Vinyl LP, similar to how I have carried them out.   
        


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