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Vinyl Owners -- Question v.Record Cleaning

post #1 of 8
2/12/10 at 4:55pm
Thread Starter 
I was reading a few threads in Summit Fi last night, and most of the vinyl users in there seem to agree that using a cleaning device makes a world of difference in their sound. Unfortunately for me, most of the devices they were discussing were $500-3500, which is well above what I could afford at the moment. Anyhow, I'm curious as to what you do to keep your vinyl collection clean, and hopefully I can find an affordable alternative. Typically, I'll wipe them down using a solution of rubbing alcohol and distilled water with a microfiber cloth. But I'm rather new to the scene (got my first table late last year) and could be doing it completely wrong.
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post #2 of 8
2/12/10 at 5:37pm
I use a Nitty Gritty machine with Pure2 solution for cleaning once in a while, and using a carbon fiber brush each time I play a record. I was on the fence for years about using a RCM, but decided to take the plunge a few months ago... and wow, what a difference. It was equivalent to a source upgrade.
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post #3 of 8
2/12/10 at 6:19pm
I use a vpi 16.5 and have had it for yrs.... I also use a carbon fiber brush and carefully clean my cartridge sty. before each play.....You could pick up an "ORBITRAC 2" a hand held spray then wipe unit.....I use one inbetween wet vacin' LPs. They might be 49 to 60 bucks and do a good jod.....try "music direct" maybe even "Todd the Vinyl Junkie".. There was a post last week on a "SPIN CLEAN" System that michael fremer (stereophile) did a review on and said it really worked $59.99...so look for that post and good luck
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post #4 of 8
2/12/10 at 10:53pm
Steam cleaning is supposed to work well too, although most use the steamer while on the record cleaning machine. Small steamers are $ 50 ish.

I would think you could steam, then handwash the records in the sink.

I love my VPI 16.5 and agree that I could not listen to vinyl without it now.
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post #5 of 8
2/12/10 at 11:34pm
Used Nitty Gritty 1.5 is the least expensive *effective* means of cleaning a record. I have moved on to a VPI 16.5 for most use, but part of me still thinks the manual Nitty Gritty vacuum machine is still better for deep cleaning.
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post #6 of 8
2/13/10 at 5:14am
I'm still in the initial stages of the vinyl experimentation and I like it so far. My cleaning routine used to be to use a soapy liquid (home brew with Dawn) to wash; and water to rinse the vinyl followed by a microfiber to wipe off the moisture.

Recently I bought a 1 gallon shop vac from walmart and use it to vacuum off the soapy liquid and rinsed water from the vinyl. Made a slit on the flat part of the long nozzle and padded it with soft Velcro strips so as not to scratch the vinyl surface. Close the nozzle end with sticky tape. The result seems effective to me. Its probably the equivalent of an RCM minus the cost.
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post #7 of 8
2/13/10 at 7:30am
You could get a KAB EV-1 of Kabusa.com, which is surprisingly nice. I haven't owned or used a automatic record cleaner, so can't tell you how it compares to these. Though, to me the KAB EV-1 does a good job.
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post #8 of 8
2/13/10 at 1:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rjoseph View Post
I'm still in the initial stages of the vinyl experimentation and I like it so far. My cleaning routine used to be to use a soapy liquid (home brew with Dawn) to wash; and water to rinse the vinyl followed by a microfiber to wipe off the moisture.

Recently I bought a 1 gallon shop vac from walmart and use it to vacuum off the soapy liquid and rinsed water from the vinyl. Made a slit on the flat part of the long nozzle and padded it with soft Velcro strips so as not to scratch the vinyl surface. Close the nozzle end with sticky tape. The result seems effective to me. Its probably the equivalent of an RCM minus the cost.
Do a Google search for more recipes. Most include a drop or two of clear dishwashing detergent like Dawn as a surfactant, alcohol , distilled water and Fotoflow as a sheeting agent. There were a lot of decent home-brews, but I go commercial these days.
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