ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Hello everybody,
do you use a machine for cleaning your vinyl? If so, which make do you use? Any experiences to share?
Thanks very much!
Cheers,
Kai
It's this one but I only paid 45 EUR on eBay for mine:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Spin-Clean-Record-Washer-MKII/dp/B008EBS9G4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1435770894&sr=8-5&keywords=vinyl+cleaner
The difference before and after cleaning is amazing - no pops, crackles etc so it does work really well. You can make your own solutions too rather than the ones you can buy - it's cheaper and just as good.
Dave.
I use the same one as Dave, it does the job but its far from perfect. The problem with it is all the contaminates from each record get added to the fluid in the disc cleaner so you have to change the fluid after half a dozen records (depending how clean they are could be more or less) and it uses a lot of fluid!
If you can afford it get a vacuum record cleaner like a Moth or a DiscDoctor V, they use much less fluid and remove all the residue from the grooves properly.
Lee
As for cleaning fluid I mix 4 parts distilled water to 1 part 99% isopropyl with a few drops of dishwasher rinse aid as a surfactant.
Lee:I use the same one as Dave, it does the job but its far from perfect. The problem with it is all the contaminates from each record get added to the fluid in the disc cleaner so you have to change the fluid after half a dozen records (depending how clean they are could be more or less) and it uses a lot of fluid!
A good filter paper removes those contaminants and you can re-use the fluid. I've done dozens of records this way with no real loss of performance or sound quality. You hardly waste any fluid that way - even what drains during drying on the rack. A good rinse with double deionised water helps too.
I have never used anything powered by electricity but have always wanted the one made by VPI or there is another one that I've forgotten the name of ($$$$). I have no idea if either of those are still being manufactured. I have always used a manual brush + fluid system called Discwasher (sp).
Dave
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
I use a Record Doctor V. Works great. If you're going to listen to garage sale records, you need something like this. It's amazing how well many records clean up (then again, it doesn't fix scratches). A little pricey for essentially a small vacuum in box, but it does work well. You really only have to clean your records once, then if you're careful, a simple carbon fiber brush is all you need before playing the next 10 to 20 times.
Stan.
Dave Farr: A good filter paper removes those contaminants and you can re-use the fluid. I've done dozens of records this way with no real loss of performance or sound quality. You hardly waste any fluid that way - even what drains during drying on the rack. A good rinse with double deionised water helps too. Dave.
I've tried that Dave (using several different filter papers) and while it does get rid of a lot of the debris it doesn't remove all and none of the mould release agent that they use in the pressing plant... this just gets more and more concentrated the more you use it.
Pro-ject are releasing a record cleaning machine early next year that will be very reasonably priced (around £200 IIRC)
As Dave I use the spin clean, with good results, I mix as Lee my own liquid, 1 part isopropyl alcohol, 5 parts distilled water, 2-3 drop of Kodak Photo Flo 200.
What nobody mention is that you will have to change your paper inner sleeves with these ones the paper sleeves accumulate static electricity and dust.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Stan: I use a Record Doctor V. Works great. If you're going to listen to garage sale records, you need something like this. It's amazing how well many records clean up (then again, it doesn't fix scratches). A little pricey for essentially a small vacuum in box, but it does work well. You really only have to clean your records once, then if you're careful, a simple carbon fiber brush is all you need before playing the next 10 to 20 times. Stan.
Same here, little machine is pricey for what little it is, but cheaper by far than some alternative vacuum machines, and it works well. And you do need to replace the inner sleeves with something good after you clean the album, if it's in good enough condition to warrant keeping.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
I never clean my records. I've had quite a few since 1977 and they are still clean.
Just a carbon brush for a slight wipe over when dust catches my eye!
Jacques
chartz: I never clean my records. I've had quite a few since 1977 and they are still clean. Just a carbon brush for a slight wipe over when dust catches my eye!
Jacques, if you put just one of your records in one of these machines, it will shock you with amount of 'stuff' that comes out of them. Even brand new records should be cleaned as they always contain waste vinyl, release agents and other particulates from the manufacturing process.
It's also the dust and dirt you cannot see within the grooves that is the problem, not just surface dust. If you see a scanning electron micrograph (which you can online somewhere) of grooves in brand new vinyl you'd be appalled atthe thought of what that could be doing to your stylus and music quality!
I recently got my hands on a Keith Monks Record Cleaning Machine (RCM). New in box - still i did not have time to try it out. This should be the Rolls Royce of RCMs so I look forward to have some fun with it. Anybody here who ever tried a Keith Monks? Maybe can share some tips?
kimchr: I recently got my hands on a Keith Monks Record Cleaning Machine (RCM). New in box - still i did not have time to try it out. This should be the Rolls Royce of RCMs so I look forward to have some fun with it. Anybody here who ever tried a Keith Monks? Maybe can share some tips?
3000 USD for a used one. It was the first commercially (and supposedly best) vacuum record cleaning machine. Their website has 2 good 'before' and 'after' pictures.
3000 USD is alot of money for a 30 year old machine... Maybe I should try and trade in my new one for a BV :-)
kimchr: 3000 USD is alot of money for a 30 year old machine... Maybe I should try and trade in my new one for a BV :-)
Yes, the first versions are considered a collectors item for vinyl purists.
we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.
I actually own a Keith Monks too, which I haven' tried yet. I have the KMAL MK 2 version from the early 90s. However, the hold for the brush is broken and has been glued. As a perfectionist, I have a hard time seeing this on an otherwise well-kept machine. Therefore, I've contacted Keith Monks and the German dealer who sells their parts. But prices are beyond ridiculous. Almost 600 Euros for a small plastic replacement part is something that I can't justify spending. Therefore, my machine currently stands idle in the basement of my apartment. They do spread charme, though.
How did you manage to get a new one? Most are heavily used since prices were always very high and people or institutions spending that amount of money were at least intending to clean a lot of vinyl on it. Although the mechanics are pretty robust, there are a lot of things on these machines that can easily break like the perspex lid or its hinges and also the decor tends to degenerate over time. New ones are well above 4000 Euros nowadays and used ones in decent shape hard to get below 1500 Euros I'd say. A lot of money for a cleaning machine.
Greetings,
As a serious record listener and restorer, I've found that 91% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and square cotton make-up pads work great. Plus, you can see how much gunk is coming off of the records. I've had some used records in which I had to go over them (6) times per side to get dirt off. Needless to say, I clean all "new" records to my collection before playing them.
D
Okki nokki 445 euro' s
If your collection is at all sizable, you would at least want to invest in a spinclean record cleaning system or check iRobot Roomba 650 vacuum cleaner. Anything less (besides a tedious handwash) will just push the dirt and debris into the grooves and into the path of your needle.
I have an early prototype Keith Monks Discovery One.
I wouldn't ever want to be without it again!