• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Cleaning Old Vinyls?

Originally posted by SX-980
Hey Jack, you're not referring to that one
" Ronco product " I remembering seen it on TV about 25 years ago. That was a joke! That's a good way of scratching up your best vinyls.
SX-980
Click to expand...

You really don't have a clue do you?

I was refering to a VPI 16.5 machine.

It does a very good job-no dirt, no scratches.
A big improvement on my system-I always wash recently bought used LPs. Its quite noyicable on high resolution systems.
It's not for folks using a close and play or have a low res system.
Jack

BTW, The library of congress uses the VPI 17 (the auto version).
 
Last edited:
Hey Jack, just what did you mean by this remark "It's not for folks using a close and play or have a low res system." It's this kind of snobbery I was referring to in an earlier post.
SX-980










Originally posted by Jack G
You really don't have a clue do you?

I was refering to a VPI 16.5 machine.

It does a very good job-no dirt, no scratches.
A big improvement on my system-I always wash recently bought used LPs. Its quite noyicable on high resolution systems.
It's not for folks using a close and play or have a low res system.
Jack

BTW, The library of congress uses the VPI 17 (the auto version).
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by SX-980
Hey Jack, just what did you mean by this remark "It's not for folks using a close and play or have a low res system."
SX-980
Click to expand...

Did I confuse you?
BTW, Tap water isn't very good for your albums. I used to use it 25-30 years ago, but distilled is better.
Believe it or not, things HAVE changed in the last 25 years.
You may wish to become more up to date.
Jack
 
Nah...my tap water is filtered and been doing this for about 25 years or so, my vinyls are in excellent shape.
SX-980




Originally posted by Jack G
Did I confuse you?
BTW, Tap water isn't very good for your albums. I used to use it 25-30 years ago, but distilled is better.
Believe it or not, things HAVE changed in the last 25 years.
You may wish to become more up to date.
Jack
Click to expand...
 
Clean Old Records

A number of interesting posts. It shows just how innovative we can be.

For dirty records purchased at thrift stores or the local used record stores I use the following procedure:

1. Wash the record in tap water with added liquid dish washing detergent.

2. Rinse with tap water.

3. Dry with clean soft towels.

4. Immediately re-clean using a VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine. The cleaning fluid I use with the VPI is 25% pure isopropyl alcohol and 75% distilled water.

Some of the grit in the groves still does not want to come out easily and will remain after cleaning. The process of playing the record will cause the stylus to knock loose some of the grit which can then be removed by cleaning again with the VPI. Unfortunately scratches can not be removed by cleaning.

tcdriver
 
Rolling Cleaner

Has anyone tried this device?

Nagaoka Rolling 152
CL - 152
BRAND NEW in Box!!
MADE IN JAPAN

You are bidding on the legendary (and hard to find) "Nagaoka Rolling Cleaner" (Rolling 152 - CL 152) vinyl record cleaner. Made in Japan by Nagaoka. Recommended by audiophiles the world over, this cleaner is absolutely awesome!! This item is BRAND NEW in it's original box (still shrink-wrapped). It works by running a roller made of a patented tacky rubber-like material over the record. The material is soft and pliable and gets down into the grooves to lift out dirt and debris which sticks to the tacky material. The roller is easily washable using a mild detergent and running water.


The Nagaoka Cleaner is a revolutionary new product that represents a major breakthrough resulting from the joint research by Nagaoka and Shinetsu Chemical Industry Company.

WHAT IS A ROLLING CLEANER?

It is a completely new type of record cleaner. Conventional record cleaners attempt to wipe away the dust and dirt. The Rolling Cleaner uses a special grade of rubber-elastomer which never loses its original surface "tackiness". Just rolling it lightly over the record surface is enough to remove all dust and dirt in the grooves: the rubber literally sticks to it like a limpit. It has absolutely no ill effects on the record or grooves and can be used with complete confidence.

FEATURES:

1. The soft rubber surface readily molds itself to the shape of the groove, reaching the bottom.

2. The inherent "tackiness" of the rubber means that all dust and dirt will adhere to it, even at the hard-to-reach bottom of the groove.

3. The inert rubber causes no potential damage to the record label (unlike certain cleaning products).

4. Any stains that accumulate on the rubber surface may readily be removed by simply washing with a neutral detergent. Washing will completely restore the adhesiveness of the surface, which can be washed over and over again with no deterioration.

5. It retains its original effectiveness virtually unchanged over the years, and can withstand all normal extremes of heat and cold.


 
Vacuuming is a great way to clean Lp's IMHO. I know a few guys who have built their own using an old DD platter and motor with a old vacuum cleaner and the crevice tool. Now if you're more "inspired" you get that VPI 16.5 or even better the 17. NOW THOSE ARE RECORD CLEANING MACHINES!!! In a pinch I use a mixture of distilled water and IPA but most of the Lp's I play are brand new or close to it. Cleaning hasn't been a big issue for me so far.
 
I used to get some records from the library, that looked like they were used for plates, as in someone put their food on them. I would rinse them under the tap, and squirt them with windex. Then, gently wipe them with my fingers, (no rag). Rinse them, blot dry with a cotton t-shirt. Then go over them with a discwasher. If the records were whipped, (pops, crackles, scratched), I'd play them WET, for recording. I would dribble some alcohol (50%) on them. Doing this made them sound a lot cleaner. It never hurt the old pickering or stanton, that I could tell.
 
Personally I never liked the idea of applying ANY type of chemical on the soft vinyl surface but that's me.
SX-980




Originally posted by rek50
I used to get some records from the library, that looked like they were used for plates, as in someone put their food on them. I would rinse them under the tap, and squirt them with windex. Then, gently wipe them with my fingers, (no rag). Rinse them, blot dry with a cotton t-shirt. Then go over them with a discwasher. If the records were whipped, (pops, crackles, scratched), I'd play them WET, for recording. I would dribble some alcohol (50%) on them. Doing this made them sound a lot cleaner. It never hurt the old pickering or stanton, that I could tell.
Click to expand...
 
When you blot or wipe with ANY kind of rag or cloth you are just further embedding contaminants in the grooves. This in turn makes it even hard to remove when you are ready for some serious listening.
 
Nope, sorry grumpy can't buy that...LOL
I have vinyls dating back as far as 30 yrs and they are still in MINT condition because of my technic, and I'm the original owner of these 30 year old vinyls. The famous vinyl cutting engineer Bob Ludwig had suggested this idea and works for me.
SX-980





Originally posted by grumpy
When you blot or wipe with ANY kind of rag or cloth you are just further embedding contaminants in the grooves. This in turn makes it even hard to remove when you are ready for some serious listening.
Click to expand...
 
The "Contaminants" would have to be pretty tuff to stay behind after the massaging they would get with the DIAMOND stylus. Think PSI force applied by the FINE stylus. By "Blot" I meant a gentle intersection of cloth and record, to remove the water.
 
980

Wake up dude and get with it. Your buddy gave you advice thats old. Things change and all old is not good. I have vinyl dating back nearly double your 30 years and My VPI is why it sounds the way it does.

Do me a favor and quit quoting EVERY post you reply to Its annoying as hell !

REK50

If you blot you still push dirt or whatever into the grooves. No amount of wiping will get that dirt back out. Once you run a stylus through a dirty groove all you do is wear your stylus and embed the contaminants even more.

Grumpy
 
OK Grumpy, I see your point. I just thought I cleaned the dirt or whatever away. I really didn't clean it. When I thought I was blotting the water away, I was actually embedding dirt, or whatever, and not ready for a serious listening experience.
 
I am not saying you are not ready for serious listening all I am saying is that there are many levels to Vinyl play. It really just depends on how picky you are.
 
Originally posted by ProAc_Fan
... but most of the Lp's I play are brand new or close to it. Cleaning hasn't been a big issue for me so far.
Click to expand...

New records can benefit from a good clean too.

They all leave the factory covered in a variety of contaminants, most notable the mold release gunk used to allow the record to slip easily from the press.

With a vacuum RCM it's easy to give everything a clean prior to playing.


cheers,
 
Grumpy wrote;

" Do me a favor and quit quoting EVERY post you reply to Its annoying as hell !"
:banana: :grnbounce :rockon:

Nag...Nag...Nag....LOL Reminds me of my Ex...Nag, nag, nag....sheeeez!
gotcha grumpy
SX-980
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom