Record cleaners

[Royal Oak]

Okay everyone, I have inherited a big collection of old classical LPs, some of which look a little grimy, some of which sound a little like "space dust" (a "popping candy" beloved of UK children of the late 1970s/early 1980s, probably banned for good reason).

Anyway, I would like to clean these, and a Moth isn't financially feasible, so can anybody recommend a budget alternative? I see lots of kits on Ebay - spray applicators and cloths - do these work? More importantly, will they foul the records up?

Thanks in advance.

[Stefan Wood]

Spin Clean. Inexpensive and it works very well.

[Larry Kart]

See here (though probably not for budget alternatives):

My VPI has lasted maybe 30 years and does a fine job.

[BeBop]

My VPI has lasted maybe 30 years and does a fine job.

30 years of "happy" with mine too.

[Free For All]

An excellent cleaner.

[Chalupa]

I'm happy w/ my VPI. I've heard good things about the Nitty Gritty line too.

[mjzee]

Will a VPI clean 7" 45s?

[Royal Oak]

An excellent cleaner.

Hardi-fuckin-har. (Think that line might be from Reservoir Dogs actually)

[sidewinder]

Will a VPI clean 7" 45s?

Yes, if used with the appropriate size suction tube. I'm not certain if they do a 7" (got the feeling that they do) but they certainly do a 10" LP version in addition to the standard 12" LP tube fitting. Best to check with a VPI accessory outlet.

[Royal Oak]

See here (though probably not for budget alternatives):

My VPI has lasted maybe 30 years and does a fine job.

Thanks for the link, and thanks to others for advice.

[RedPhil]

Hi

As a relatively cheap alternative I find the Disco Antistat to be very good. Often causes some debate - many people have issues that the cleaner does not dry the record - it comes with a rack for air drying - other issues people have is that as the record is drying fluid can drip over the label I have never had any labels damaged in this way, any drips dry very quickly. These appear on the bay quite frequently for between £35 - £50 new (don't pay more). I use my own brew of fluid - 1 part pure Isopropanol alcohol 3 parts distilled water and a tiny drop of washing-up liquid (acts to breakdown the water surface tension) again lot of debate on best fluid. I would say if you have records which are 'grimy' and you want to get them up to playable state then this is a good option.

Lots of good debate on record cleaners on the forums on vinylengine

Hope this helps, have fun

Phil

Edited September 9, 2010 by RedPhil

[Royal Oak]

Hi

As a relatively cheap alternative I find the Disco Antistat to be very good. Often causes some debate - many people have issues that the cleaner does not dry the record - it comes with a rack for air drying - other issues people have is that as the record is drying fluid can drip over the label I have never had any labels damaged in this way, any drips dry very quickly. These appear on the bay quite frequently for between £35 - £50 new (don't pay more). I use my own brew of fluid - 1 part pure Isopropanol alcohol 3 parts distilled water and a tiny drop of washing-up liquid (acts to breakdown the water surface tension) again lot of debate on best fluid. I would say if you have records which are 'grimy' and you want to get them up to playable state then this is a good option.

Lots of good debate on record cleaners on the forums on vinylengine

Hope this helps, have fun

Phil

Thank you Phil. That's a hell of a lot of discussion!

[Chuck Nessa]

Ivory,a very soft brush and linen works too. Don't get the labels wet.

[Tom in RI]

I don't own one but I have seen a unit comprised of two lucite discs with gaskets on the edges and holes in the middle that can be fixed to a record to protect record labels while cleaning. Evidently made by a guy right here in RI.

[sidewinder]

I've used the Disco Antistat in the past (originates from Germany I think) but I found that it leaves a lot of gunk which clogs up the stylus and also has a tendency to damage the LP labels due to compression of the disks. Didn't last long with it !

Edited September 12, 2010 by sidewinder

[Teasing the Korean]

What do you make of the manufacturers' claims to "use only OUR cleaning fluid with this unit," etc.? Is each company's fluid specifically formulated to work with the various materials that are used in the units themselves, or is this simply a ploy to sell their own product by playing into vinyl junkies' paranoia?

I have a Nitty Gritty and I'm having a hard time finding the 16 oz bottle at either B&M stores or online.

Edited July 28, 2013 by Teasing the Korean

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Use anything except rough grade sandpaper

I have used a Parostatic Disc Preener for many decades and it still works.

MG

[mjzee]

I just found a half-full bottle of Discwasher D4 fluid that must be 15 years old. Wonder what's in it.

[porcy62]

Go on the philological way: try it on a 15 years old record.

[Quincy]

Not to be a topper (but I will) - I have Discwasher fluid that is at least 33 years old. I still use it, 2 drops at time on the brush, spreading it with the bottom of the bottle.

[mjzee]

I used to do that too, only 4 drops. I recently got a Spin Kleen.

[mjzee]

I recently ordered additional drying cloths for my Spin Clean. It seems they have greatly cheapened the fabric. The photo on Amazon still shows the old cloths:

However, what arrived in the mail was this (photo taken from Spin Clean's website):

An email to Spin Clean has so far gone unanswered. Disappointing. And no word on what the blue ribbon is for.