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Help With Nitty Gritty Mini-Pro 2

artsybob

artsybob

Active Member
I just bought my first high-end record cleaning machine, a secondhand Nitty Gritty Mini-Pro 2. After it came in the mail, I went down to one of my local record shops and bought a bottle of Mobile Fidelity Super Deep Cleaner, the only brand they had on hand. Is this compatible with the Nitty Gritty, or should I mail order the proprietary Nitty Gritty cleaning solution? Is this enough to pour into the record cleaner, or is this the "first step cleaner" and I need to combine it with the "Record Wash"? This is very confusing and after doing a Google search there doesn't seem to be a lot of helpful information regarding this problem. I posted this on the General Discussion forum but got no response. Thanks!
 
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My recommendation is to try it and see what the results yield. You don't have much to lose. I have never used the MF solution so I can't comment specifically on that product. However I can recommend the product line up from Audio Intelligent Vinyl Solutions. I use a three step process from them.

Enzymatic Formula-first step in the process
Super Cleaner Formula-second step
Ultra-Pure Water-final cleansing step

Has been my go for many years. Very pleased with the results. If you search for posts on AI products you find many favorable reviews.
 
artsybob said:
. . . This is very confusing and after doing a Google search there doesn't seem to be a lot of helpful information regarding this problem. I posted this on the General Discussion forum but got no response. Thanks!
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I recommend contacting Mobile Fidelity for clarification. I agree that it's confusing--on the one hand they say to use it as a "first step," but they also say "leaves no residue and does not damage the surface of your records." I've never used anything but Nitty Gritty's Pure 2 cleaning solution in my Nitty Gritty machine.
 
I have 3 different NG machines here and have been using my own mix, changing the formulation over the past couple years. It’s working very well. Mine is similar to others posted on AK and other places, using Triton X-100, a “quat”, some alcohol and some distilled white vinegar - balance distilled water. It leaves no residue on the stylus, records come out clean and have shine.
If anyone would like to see my current recipe (for record vac machines), I can post it here.
 
My current mix. This will cost you around $5 per gallon, once you have the Triton and quat.

~ Record Cleaner Solution ~ (one gallon mix)

To empty 1 gallon bottle add:

- 1 pint 91% isopropyl alcohol

- 1 pint distilled white vinegar

- 8mL (diluted, ready to use - not concentrate) Hepastat 256 or similar

- 2mL Triton X-100 concentrate

Balance of gallon bottle filled with distilled water.

Shake well and use.
This recipe is for use in my Nitty Gritty record cleaner machines - vacuum it off, no rinse.

I’m presently using Sparquat 256, which is the quat. Adding the quat does seem to lessen background noise.
 
MisterDK said:
My current mix. This will cost you around $5 per gallon, once you have the Triton and quat.

~ Record Cleaner Solution ~ (one gallon mix)

To empty 1 gallon bottle add:

- 1 pint 91% isopropyl alcohol

- 1 pint distilled white vinegar

- 8mL (diluted, ready to use - not concentrate) Hepastat 256 or similar

- 2mL Triton X-100 concentrate

Balance of gallon bottle filled with distilled water.

Shake well and use.
This recipe is for use in my Nitty Gritty record cleaner machines - vacuum it off, no rinse.

I’m presently using Sparquat 256, which is the quat. Adding the quat does seem to lessen background noise.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recipe! Where would I find Hepastat 256 and Triton X-100?
 
MisterDK said:
My current mix. This will cost you around $5 per gallon, once you have the Triton and quat.

~ Record Cleaner Solution ~ (one gallon mix)

To empty 1 gallon bottle add:

- 1 pint 91% isopropyl alcohol

- 1 pint distilled white vinegar

- 8mL (diluted, ready to use - not concentrate) Hepastat 256 or similar

- 2mL Triton X-100 concentrate

Balance of gallon bottle filled with distilled water.

Shake well and use.
This recipe is for use in my Nitty Gritty record cleaner machines - vacuum it off, no rinse.

I’m presently using Sparquat 256, which is the quat. Adding the quat does seem to lessen background noise.
Click to expand...

very good info. i'd like to try that when i run out of my stock of Nitty Gritty Pure 2 fluid.
 
cdfac said:
very good info. i'd like to try that when i run out of my stock of Nitty Gritty Pure 2 fluid.
Click to expand...

No problem; I think you’ll like it.
Not too much different than what other folks are mixing, except most don’t add any distilled vinegar. I probably should go back to adding more of it (used to add 2 pints). The vinegar is supposed to help break down and disperse mineral deposits, left by prior cleanings. I buy lots of used records, many cleaned before by others.

Some folks use the alcohol in their mix (but - never for 78’s!), others prefer not to.. Alcohol aids in both cleaning and evaporation, as well as making the Triton dissolve faster into the mix.

My recipe has been evolving over the past couple years and will likely continue to.
You may want to adjust it to best suit your needs. Works well for me though, as I posted it.
 
i should probably double check that vinegar is ok in a Nitty Gritty Mini-Pro, though... there are some things you aren't supposed to use in one.
 
cdfac said:
i should probably double check that vinegar is ok in a Nitty Gritty Mini-Pro, though... there are some things you aren't supposed to use in one.
Click to expand...

The acid is so mild, it shouldn’t be an issue. I’ve been using it for a couple years at double the strength in my posted recipe (2 pints per gallon) with no problems. My main NG machine is an old 3.5fi, BTW. I also have used it with vinegar in a 2.5fi-xp and an old 1.5. Have had no trouble with it at all.
If you have concern, leave the vinegar out.. Triton and the quat do most of the actual cleaning, anyway.
 
artsybob said:
Well.....yeah, what I meant was if there was a specific place that was good to buy it from rather than me doing the regular Amazon/Google search
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Seems that the Triton I bought on ebay has increased in price, from memory. It’s now about $25 shipped for the 16oz size I bought. 16oz will last you a long time though, at just 2mL per gallon. Look at item # 193690336545 for the Triton X-100. For Hepastat 256, see item # 254753167411.
 
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