Got an LP cleaner you want to make money on?

I had mentioned in an earlier response to this thread that there is a vendor of used records that offers a cleaning service. He is located in Olmsted Falls, Ohio. I have no idea if that is near you, but here's his home page. (I've bought a few records from him over the years, typically old U.S. pressings, and didn't really care one way or the other about his cleaning service, since I'm happy to do it myself but he's been around for a few years): http://site.clevelandvinyl.com/How_I_Clean_Records.html

Good luck.
Bill Hart

Whart:
Thanks Bill, that's about 160 miles away from me, but really enjoyed reading about his cleaning processes. I too use steam, and have access to a large enough ultrasonic tank to clean them as well. The steam process I use helps makes the thrift shop finds salvageable and listenable again. I'd like to rig up a way to vacuum dry them, as it is I wipe off the majority and air dry them.

I'd kind of like to see a continuous hook up of cleaner owners and vinyl lovers so let's see if we can't keep this going. Too many newbies think vinyl is short lived because they may not be aware they can be cleaned back to life and may be missing out on a really valuable source of good, quality sound.

I live in the SF Bay Area and would be happy to welcome anyone wishing to clean lps to use my VPI machine free of charge.
Send me an email.

I look at my stylus with a 10x loupe with a maglite behind it and it's as crystal clear as the day I bought it - because:

- I ALWAYS clean new records using a 2-Step Process: AVIS #6 + Ultra Pure Water (and have never read or seen an RCM company say you should) because it makes good sense. For used records I'll employ the longer 3-Step Process: AVIS Enzymatic+Premium+UPW

I would never send my LPs out to be cleaned. Once they're home, they're here to stay.

I clean friends records occasionally when they come over and want to hear an LP they love. Many times tho, I look at it and educate them its not worth it i.e. 'it wont help a bit your rekkid is trashed.'

Offering a cleaning service - with anything other than an ultrasonic machine (using distilled water only) - would be cost prohibitive IMO. Fluids+My time=$$$

Cleaning vinyl has changed the way I buy music. I used to buy records on a whim - any and all. Then get them home and ponder whether or not it was worth cleaning. Having an RCM made me think twice about it's worth in my collection. Why clean a record that you will only listen to once, possibly twice. Ever. I'm not a collector. I'm a music lover. I play it. I want music in my library that I listen to often and stands the test of time. Yes, it is taking me a while to clean my whole collection and it's a work in progress to this day. A labor of love. This is the best thing an RCM has brought to the table for me. Not to mention making my listening experience better SQ-wise and increasing the longevity of my stylus to boot.

We have approx. 2000 LPs to date. Of which 250 are cleaned - this is the pool of records we have to listen to. I have to WANT to hear a record badly because it's gotta be cleaned first. I look at the "unclean" and weight its value to us. If it fails that test it goes up for sale. Its helped a lot getting my collection down to only the essential.

Cleaning vinyl does suck. But once you're done its worth it. Just wish I could train me kids to do it as a chore ;)

What a thread, lol. i have been really learning a ton on this subject. I have spoken to a few audiophiles I trust. It's well known and has been for a long time that cleaning a new LP is needed. My old dealer used to let me bring in my LP's along with distilled water and let me clean for days. Even the engineers of a couple of TT companies he sold would tell you that you should clean a new LP and then brush them until they needed cleaning again. I didn't realize that this was even up for debate anymore, but I guess it is.

I'm in CT as many here seem to be also. Very cool. I have decided to just get a VPI 16.5 new since a used one may not be in great shape as many part can age poorly over time. In the end, it's not that much to spend as it's just as important as a top phono pre or cables. It directly affects the sound as a dirty record will ruin your records and playback equipment as has been stated. I wish I could afford an ultrasonic cleaner as it seems like most of the vacuum types are similar in what they do. You seem to pay for how automated you want. I have a few hundred records, so to me it makes sense to just get a machine and get them all clean and then be able to clean at will. It's cheaper than the 1-2 dollars most want per record. JMHO.