RCM fluid VPI vs Nitty Gritty

[ARJohn]

I started my DIY rcm project with a bottle of VPI solution and it has worked great . I picked up a bottle of the Nitty Gritty stuff last weekend as I went through the VPI . It seems to me that the NG stuff doesn't pick up as well . Have to spin and spin to get it all off and the LP nice and dry . anyone else try these off the shelf brews with a DYI ? I will be going down the home brew route , waiting on some lab grade distilled water that I'm picking up at xmas .

 

[op135]

When vacuuming with the Nitty Gritty, I rotate the record about 6 rpm for two revolutions, then when the two cycles are complete, I stop spinning it, but let the vacuum suck for another 2-3 seconds to dry any residual moisture left on the Vac-sweep pad, and it usually gets the job done.

 

[meggy]

I use the VPI made from concentrate as one of my first steps in my cleaning routine. I think the concentrate works better than the pre-mixed. It's less expensive, too.

 

[Holst]

I've had good luck with NG and Phoenix brews.

 

[ETI_5000]

While I haven't had problems with the NG solution vacuuming off records, it's not the strongest cleaner I've used, and some dirt it just won't remove. Fingerprints, for instance... Not that I put my fingers anywhere near the playing surface of any record I own, but a lot of second hand records need them cleaning off, and the NG fluid just isn't good enough.:thumbsdn: I've been thinking of trying out the Disc Doctor Quick Wash solution - apparently his products are good.

-Don

 

[RickB]

While I haven't had problems with the NG solution vacuuming off records, it's not the strongest cleaner I've used, and some dirt it just won't remove. Fingerprints, for instance... Not that I put my fingers anywhere near the playing surface of any record I own, but a lot of second hand records need them cleaning off, and the NG fluid just isn't good enough.:thumbsdn: I've been thinking of trying out the Disc Doctor Quick Wash solution - apparently his products are good.

-Don

If you are thinking about the Disc Doctor's fluids and want to remove the greasy fingerprints, don't look to the Quick Wash....his Miracle Record Cleaner, on the other hand, has enough of a surfactant base to be able to dissolve the greasy fingerprint residue...the quick wash is good for cleaning brand new records, or ones previously cleaned, but not for the typical used records I see...

I've used the Disc Doctor's fluid for at least a decade, and while I now prefer the Audio Intelligent Vinyl Solutions more, I still feel like Dr. Duane's Miracle Record Cleaner is a great 2-step process....it really DOES beat any one step process I've tried on used records...and, yes, I have tried all the single step process stuff available today.....

 

[markd51]

I started my DIY rcm project with a bottle of VPI solution and it has worked great . I picked up a bottle of the Nitty Gritty stuff last weekend as I went through the VPI . It seems to me that the NG stuff doesn't pick up as well . Have to spin and spin to get it all off and the LP nice and dry . anyone else try these off the shelf brews with a DYI ? I will be going down the home brew route , waiting on some lab grade distilled water that I'm picking up at xmas .

No, I have never used Nitty Gritty Products, but have a good friend who has, is actually a competitor of Nitty Gritty, and has told me that thier products are exceptionaly good, hold the majority of the record cleaning market share, and probably for good reason.

To the original poster: I honestly think you might be taking a large step backwards going to a DIY Brew, unless you are going to concoct this formula with the highest quality ingredients, and paying strict attention to mix percentages, etc. There's no magic, no snake oil, or luck involved, it is pure science.

I am a very happy user of the AIVS cleaning system, and will continue it's use. With that being said though, I don't feel anyone should rely on any one, or even multi step cleaner, and expect a residue free surface. A final follow up rinse with high quality pure waters will make a substantial improvement with any cleaning product.

Lastly, many times, these fingerprints, grease, and other contaminants have been deposited on the record's surface when Ronald Reagan was in office. They often have left damage from acids, where they have literally eaten into the record, and nothing, no matter what a product will claim to do, will remove this damage. It is permanent.

It can be at times, be only just a visual defect, and may, or may not have an impact on the sound. Mark

 

[ARJohn]

No, I have never used Nitty Gritty Products, but have a good friend who has, is actually a competitor of Nitty Gritty, and has told me that thier products are exceptionaly good, hold the majority of the record cleaning market share, and probably for good reason.

To the original poster: I honestly think you might be taking a large step backwards going to a DIY Brew, unless you are going to concoct this formula with the highest quality ingredients, and paying strict attention to mix percentages, etc. There's no magic, no snake oil, or luck involved, it is pure science.

I am a very happy user of the AIVS cleaning system, and will continue it's use. With that being said though, I don't feel anyone should rely on any one, or even multi step cleaner, and expect a residue free surface. A final follow up rinse with high quality pure waters will make a substantial improvement with any cleaning product.

Lastly, many times, these fingerprints, grease, and other contaminants have been deposited on the record's surface when Ronald Reagan was in office. They often have left damage from acids, where they have literally eaten into the record, and nothing, no matter what a product will claim to do, will remove this damage. It is permanent.

It can be at times, be only just a visual defect, and may, or may not have an impact on the sound. Mark

I was hoping to avoid the 2 step routine . I did find the VPI seemed to dry up better than the NG solution . And it did appear to leave a cleaner surface , visually at least . I think it was cheaper also ? Will have to do some more with the NG and see , but thank you for the advice on the home brew , I am a bit a'feared about that actually , lest I screw up . Maybe stay with the ready made for the peace of mind .

 

[markd51]

I was hoping to avoid the 2 step routine . I did find the VPI seemed to dry up better than the NG solution . And it did appear to leave a cleaner surface , visually at least . I think it was cheaper also ? Will have to do some more with the NG and see , but thank you for the advice on the home brew , I am a bit a'feared about that actually , lest I screw up . Maybe stay with the ready made for the peace of mind .

Hello John,
I can sympathize with the monotony of using a multi-step cleaning process. With the AIVS (Audio Intelligent) cleaning system I use, and while it isn't absolutely necessary) I actually use all four of thier products on each, and every LP, whether it's brand new, or a 40 year old LP.

It's tough for me to say why you notice one brand fluid picks up better? It could be the fluid removal efficiency of your RCM, it could be more surfactants in the NG Solution?

With my VPI 16.5 RCM, no matter what AIVS product I use, it is off the LP within two revolutions, the LP is then dry. I'm sure Meggy can chime in, saying that fluid pickup with the other Cleaners he has used, hasn't been a problem with his own VPI 16.5 RCM.

Dependent upon how good the qualities are of this "Lab Grade Water" you wished to try, perhaps the follow-up step of a pure water rinse will help you in this regard of better fluid pickup, and better drying?

It should be noted, that with VPI's Vacuum Wand, the Vacuum slot is not exactly perfectly perpendicular to the record surface. The Slot is angled ever so slightly towards the direction of rotation by a degree, or two, to aid better efficiency of the vacuum process. Mark

 

[meggy]

With my VPI 16.5 RCM, no matter what AIVS product I use, it is off the LP within two revolutions, the LP is then dry. I'm sure Meggy can chime in, saying that fluid pickup with the other Cleaners he has used, hasn't been a problem with his own VPI 16.5 RCM.

Yeah, as far as effectiveness goes I do use AIVS 3-step as my primary cleaning solution. But I also use additional steps of a DYI, plus VPI (made from concentrate), plus Phoenix to first "get the mud off".

Revolutions I don't count. I'm a firm believe in elbow grease with used vinyl. However, maintaining brand new LP's takes a lighter hand.

 

[Art K.]

I have an NG machine and very much don't like their fluids. Poured the last of mine out last week. I use the MoFi products...not because they are the best but because I tried them and they were so much better than the NG that I have stuck with them. The Audio Intelligent products have a very good rep as well.

 

[jazzwolf]

I've used both and I really like the NG fluids. I have never had a problem with removing any finger prints with it as a little scrubbing gets them right out. I also use the Phoenix fluid just like Holst and really prefer that as I found that there isn't anything it won't clean. I definitely don't care for the MoFi cleaner as I find it a waste of money and really overrated. I had bought 2 bottles of it and actually used them as a rinse just so I can get rid of them and reuse the bottles.

 

[ARJohn]

Hello John,


It should be noted, that with VPI's Vacuum Wand, the Vacuum slot is not exactly perfectly perpendicular to the record surface. The Slot is angled ever so slightly towards the direction of rotation by a degree, or two, to aid better efficiency of the vacuum process. Mark

I actually do that , place the vacum pick up at a very slight angle after the first or 2and go round as it picks up better that way and is easier to spin . Mind you I am spinning by hand and holding the vacum with the other , and I have a small hole in the end block to keep the air flow going. Interesting that posters have tried the different brands and some love 'em or hate 'em . I am very happy with the sonic results of the both I have tried but may go back to the VPI as it seemed to be easier and faster , I still have an almost full bottle of the NG so no big rush . thanks for all the tips folks .