Looking for recommendations for Vinyl LP cleaning solutions

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Looking for recommendations for Vinyl LP cleaning solutions

dclegg

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#136298 22-Nov-2013 11:09

A reliable source has told me that the big fella in the red suit will be leaving me a new turntable under the Christmas tree this year. I have an LP collection that spans albums purchased in the 80s and 90s. As such I'm wary that these may need a bit of a clean.

Does anyone here have recommendations for good ways or products to clean these? I saw a few promising looking kits on Amazon, but none of them ship directly to NZ. As a result I believe he didn't bother to include any of these when he got his elves to procure the turntable, as that is being shipped directly here.

Ideally I'm looking to spend no more than $30.

ilovemusic

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#938880 22-Nov-2013 11:34

Stretch the budget a bit and get these;

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/turntables/auction-664510631.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/turntables/auction-665345778.htm

At the very least you need a wet cleaning system and a stylus cleaner.

The MoFi brush is more effective than a "cleaning cloth" but best used with a suitable cleaning fluid.

Put fluid on brush, never directly on record, clean.

Dry with cloth.

quentinreade

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2degrees

#938897 22-Nov-2013 11:38

This stuff is cheap, and works pretty well
http://www.realgroovy.co.nz/Product/4636175/Real_Groovy_Record_Cleaner_-_1_Litre

Comms chap

2degrees

dclegg

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#938899 22-Nov-2013 11:38

ilovemusic: http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/turntables/auction-665345778.htm

Yeah, I saw that one. I'm wondering how it compares to products like this one, which has felt brush which is meant to be able to get into the grooves of the record.

EDIT: Ah! I see you recommend a combination of both now (didn't you originally only link to the STYLUSCITY pack, or am I going mad?)

KevinL

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#938908 22-Nov-2013 11:47

PVA glue?

http://andrewdubber.com/2010/07/gluing-my-records/

dclegg

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#938913 22-Nov-2013 11:51

KevinL: PVA glue?

http://andrewdubber.com/2010/07/gluing-my-records/

Yeah nah, I think I'll pass thanks.

ilovemusic

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#939657 23-Nov-2013 21:46

dclegg:
ilovemusic: http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/turntables/auction-665345778.htm

Yeah, I saw that one. I'm wondering how it compares to products like this one, which has felt brush which is meant to be able to get into the grooves of the record.

EDIT: Ah! I see you recommend a combination of both now (didn't you originally only link to the STYLUSCITY pack, or am I going mad?)

not going mad, added the mofi brush link after seeing styluscity didn't include a brush.

:)

geekiegeek

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#939678 23-Nov-2013 22:40

Spinclean. Google it, you can pick one up new for $199. I have used mine for second hand 80s records and heard a huge difference. If a record is worn no matter what you do it wont get much better but if its just old dirt noise the spinclean will sort you out.

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ilovemusic

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#939851 24-Nov-2013 13:25

that would be my recommendation too but op doesn't want to spend that much.

dclegg

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#939871 24-Nov-2013 13:53

geekiegeek: Spinclean. Google it, you can pick one up new for $199. I have used mine for second hand 80s records and heard a huge difference. If a record is worn no matter what you do it wont get much better but if its just old dirt noise the spinclean will sort you out.

Thanks for the recommendation, but I'm looking for a far cheaper solution to start off with. But yeah, I know I can't do much about scratches. I'm more interested in ensuring my records can be cleaned up a bit.

nzjez

52 posts

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#939890 24-Nov-2013 15:09

good clean warm soapy water and a cloth, then rinse under a luke warm tap

ilovemusic

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#940156 25-Nov-2013 10:28

a timely reminder that new records also need cleaning.

they often leave the factory covered in detritus like mould release compounds that can have a negative impact on sound quality.

gundar

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#940242 25-Nov-2013 12:14

If that all fails and your record is truly too scratched to clean, I recall this trick straight out of the 80's:

At high school, I used to run a mobile disco (the days before CDs), we played records 'live' and put on a mix tape every now and then to take a break or look for a beverage. The records would get destroyed after while and eventually, get binned, but one day, this guy taught me this trick to making great cassette recording of old records.

The trouble is, this trick is messy without care, so only good for making 'backups to tape'.

While the scratched record is playing - run your finger on the outside edge with a small bit of vaseline such that the outside edge of the record has a thin, even bit of vas, but don't let the vas on the actual tracks. Then, using a syringe or spoon, very slowly drip water onto the tracked area of the record such that the water builds up a mean meniscus across the tracks. The water will naturally want to leave the record due to centrifugal force, but the vas is there to stop that happening easily - the meniscus is only a mm or so deep, so the vas only is a thin layer, not a wall. Once the water is backed up to the label, it can be played into your cassette recorder (or PC) with considerably reduced scratching, static and popping sounds - suitable for a final recording before the bin.

It was always explained to me that the water tension would get the needle to 'leap' over the serious scratches and I suspect it somehow changed the way the record generated static.

Totally this worked for me, absolutely I make no warranty, implied or otherwise. Be aware that this trick involves water and electric machines - don't be 'that guy'.

ilovemusic

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#940634 25-Nov-2013 20:29

classic wet playing !

once played wet, always play wet.

wet playing also has the potential to kill your cartridge too.

many phono cartridges use hollow cantilevers that can suck up liquid like a straw.

dusty42

117 posts

Master Geek

#940785 26-Nov-2013 07:27

$3 shaving brush cut down a little and your sink will work fine - the bristles will safely shift your dirt, grease, and dried beer with a little fluid. You can even add a bottle of the good Real Groovy fluid if you like, or just use a spot of mild detergent in water.

Rinse well with water, allow to dry thoroughly. Probably best to drop your records into some new liners while you're at it.

The spin clean is great - but it's massively overpriced for what is a $15 plastic tub with some $4 brushes inside. Only worth buying if you have a habit of regularly acquiring dirty vinyl - it's the cheapest disk cleaner on the market and it does a decent job.