Cleaning Vinyl

Alastair · June-30th-2003, 09:26 AM

I've just been going through my old LPs after neglecting them for too long and am amazed at how dusty they get despite being stored well. Has anyone got any hints for good methods of cleaning records? Products to buy? Ones to avoid?

Chris D · July-2nd-2003, 10:12 AM

Alastair,
This comes up from time to time. Here's my standard advice.

A record cleaning machine that uses fluid such as those made by VPI (very pricey) or Nitty Grity (more reasonable).
I have the manually operated Record Doctor, made by Nitty Gritty. It goes for about $200 new with shipping. That includes a little fluid. You wet the record with fluid, loosen crud with a brush, and it all gets vacuumed away.

Some people swear by brush and fluid only methods, which can be cheaper.

But I love the vacuum power that leaves vinyl shimmering.
If the pressing is good and the LP hasn't been hacked, a whole new soundstage and a much quieter soundfloor emerge.

shrugs · July-3rd-2003, 07:58 AM

I like the Record Doctor as well but there is also a great product called Disc Doctor. Great brushes and cleaning fluid. Combine that with a vacuum cleaner and you will get great results.

Gentle Giant · July-3rd-2003, 11:33 AM

I've always relied on the simple Discwasher system. Not sure if they even sell it anymore. A key to keeping your records dust free is to remember to insert the inner sleeve with the opening at the top. A lot of people keep it facing out so they don't have to remove the inner sleeve, but that just lets dust and dirt in. Keeping the whole album in a plastic outer sleeve is helpful, too.

Alastair · July-7th-2003, 08:12 AM

Thanks for the tips - my budget means that I probably won't go for the machines (nice though they look). I've looked at the Disc Doctor and Discwasher (still available!) and will probably experiment with whichever one of those I can find that has UK distribution (their websites haven't been too helpful on that count).

The idea of keeping my discs with the inner sleeve facing out fills me with horror! Who'd do a thing like that?

shrugs · July-7th-2003, 10:47 AM

Go with the Disc Doctor. As the resident vinyl freak, trust me on this.

Disc Doctor in the UK

Alastair · July-7th-2003, 12:21 PM

Thanks shrugs! I'll get my order in.

Tubemeister · July-23rd-2003, 09:39 AM

I've tried the Disc Doctor fluid and it leaves a white film on your records unless you employ 2 or 3 rinse cycles after the initial cleaning. I also noticed that it made the lower frequencies sounding slow and muddy, reduced dynamics, and attenuation of higher frequencies.

I have since used Record Research Super Vinyl Wash with great results. There is no film, no need for rinses, and it saves so much time in comparison. The Disc Doctor brushes are great, so I still use them, but the Disc Doctor fluid was thrown out. With the RR fluid I noticed increased dynamics, tighter focus with darker black area around each instrument in the soundstage, and deep tight bass. Also noted is that I now hear minute details within the recordings that were previously unnoticed.

For the record, I use a VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine. I highly recommend the use of a record cleaning machine to everyone. The $200 unit from Audio Advisor works well, though it is a striped down version. Generally, the more that you spend, the easier the RCM is to use.

shrugs · July-23rd-2003, 05:12 PM

No film here after a good rinse. Lot's of people swear by Disc Doctor. But I guess there's always bound to be a few complaints.

Tubemeister · July-23rd-2003, 10:33 PM

While the Record Research fluid does not leave a film if allowed to dry with the same conditions. The difference? The active ingredient. The water base evaporates and leaves behind what active ingredient is held within suspension, in case of the DD fluid, it is most likely a phosphate ingredient. Hmm, the Disc Doctor fluid sounds great if you rinse it off well enough... My fluid of choice is fine right out of the container.

As far as what is heard, considering the sonic siganture of each fluid, (or lack of in Record Research's case), I guess the results would depend on factors such as the resolution level of the audio playback system and the acuity of the listeners hearing. For myself, I can and do hear what the Disc Doctor fluid does to a record, which is why I do not use it.

I'm not starting a fight, just stating my humble opinion. My complaint with the Dick Doctor's fluid is well stated in my earlier post. I stand by my observations.

Tubemeister

shrugs · July-23rd-2003, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tubemeister
. Dick Doctor's fluid

Freudian slip?

I'll take your word for it and try some out. I was using Torumat fluid before but apparently the man who made it is no longer in business due to an illness. That said, I don't clean everything. IO have between 2500 and 3000 records by my last estimation and only clean what seems to be very bad. A good number of my lp's play with no surface noise w/o any cleanings. I am usually not bothered by minimal surface noise or even a pop every now and then.

The few lp's I have cleaned with the DD fluid all sound just fine on my audio playback system. It's not a Rockport but it is a full tilt LP 12.

shrugs · July-23rd-2003, 11:10 PM

Weitzel?

Tubemeister · July-23rd-2003, 11:27 PM

Please allow yourself adequate time to view my post subject above. I have just joined today, shrugs, so any posting that you dredge up from archives here are of course, not from me. If neccessary, I will re-registure so that you do not make this mistake again. I'm new here, you tell me.

The last LP12 that I owned was back in the mid 1970's. I had an SME arm and a Winn Labs Strain Gauge cartridge installed on the end, do you remember those? I also own well over 10K records, primarily bop era jazz, bought throughout the past 30 years. I haven't had the need to buy any large quantities for the past 15 years, as I was over the 10K mark by then. You are making quotes that do not belong to me, Shrugs, do you understand?

For your information, I have tried both Disc Doctor and Turomat and have found that I strongly prefer Turomat over Disc Doctor. In fact, if not for Record Research Labs, Turomat TM/7 would be my fluid of choice.

I have owned the original Rockport in the past, and now own a highly modified Mapleknoll Airiadne Signature, which is what the $27K Walker was designed around. If you couldn't guess,I'm quite happy with my modified Airiadne Signature, otherwise I'd still own the original Rockport. The truth is, I can't afford Andy's third series of turntables, not for $70K plus.

Cartridges that I currently use include a Clearaudio Insider, a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum, a Benz Ruby 2, and 4 various vdH Grasshoppers. I have 2 new Grasshoppers for sale, new in the box. Are you interested?

I'm sorry that you and I don't see eye to eye regarding our preference of cleaning fluids. I do, however, have a high resolution system and have the hearing acuity to go along with it. My stating this obviously brought forth mental anguish to you, for which I apologize. You may use what ever record cleaner that you feel appropriate, as will I, for stated reasons. Hopefully this clears up the issue and sooths any anguish that I may have caused.

Best of luck,
Tubemeister (Joined on this 23rd day of July, 2003)

Tubemeister · July-23rd-2003, 11:29 PM

The Weitzel's are friends of mine. I own Tube Research amps and preamps. I use their cleaning fluids.

shrugs · July-24th-2003, 06:30 AM

anguish!

shrugs · July-24th-2003, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tubemeister
You are making quotes that do not belong to me, Shrugs, do you understand?

I really don't know what you are talking about. I think you may be delusional.