I use the Zero Dust as well. I have heard of some people using Blue Tac also , never tried it myself but seems interesting.
Audiofreak71
Audiofreak71
Stylus cleaning, what do you use?
Blue Shadow
Waiting for Vintage Gear from this century
An audiophool and his money easily parted. Nothing wrong with the free brush that came with the cartridge to clean the cartridge of dust and a Discwasher SC for cleaning the stylus. Never need anything more than that especially something in the 50 buck range that might leave schmutz on the cantilever.
I've been done needing anything else for cartridge/stylus cleaning since 1977. Just don't use alcohol on the SC or many cartridges, distilled water if needed.
Similar to Taketheflame, I give all records purchased a good cleaning (I use a Nitty Gritty), then I just use a basic brush on the stylus after each record side. I believe the brush I'm using was included with a Sumiko cartridge.
I find that the easiest way to clean the stylus is the method recommended by Peter Lederman of Soundsmith. Get some Blue Tack, or Fun Tack as it is also called and dip your stylus into it a few times before playing a record. After each side, check your stylus and dip again if it collects anything from the record surface. I also have some Magic Eraser on hand but have found the tacky stuff is so effective and easy, let alone very safe in my experience, that I'm using the ME less and less frequently. I made a small stand that is the proper height so that when I dip the stylus in it using the cue lever it becomes a very simple and effective operation. I cut a piece of quality mirror to the dimensions of the top of the stand so the thing doubles as a great way to see azimuth configuration when I am doing a cartridge setup. After cutting the blue tack to about 1/2 by 1/2 inch, I stick it to one corner of the stand and leave the paper on it so it can be covered when not in use. See here:
It stores underneath the shelf of my table and is out of sight until needed.
It stores underneath the shelf of my table and is out of sight until needed.
First, I don't want to confuse record cleaning with stylus cleaning. All of my records are cleaned using my Spin-Clean before going into my record rack for storage and then with my Hunt EDA Mark 6 brush before every play.
Now, to address stylus cleaning -
At the beginning of every listening session I examine the stylus using my 40x illuminated jewelers loupe. This determines the necessary level of cleaning that is indicated.
Sometimes, no stylus cleaning is needed.
At other times a swipe with a dry brush (modified as per Peter Ledermann's instructions) or I use one of the carbon fiber stylus brushes referred to in earlier posts in this thread.
The stylus sometimes has some stubborn built-up crud on it that requires more aggressive cleaning and that's when the Magic Eraser or the MoonGel comes out. That usually does it - at least 90% of the time.
On the worst case scenario, after all of the above doesn't take care of the crud completely, I resort to using AT607 liquid. But very carefully (I think I know how to use it) except for my Ortofon SPU where the manufacturer strongly warns against the use of any liquid cleaner. Quite frankly, my SPU stylus has never had the kind of crud build-up that might warrant resorting to a liquid cleaner - at least not as of yet
Now, to address stylus cleaning -
At the beginning of every listening session I examine the stylus using my 40x illuminated jewelers loupe. This determines the necessary level of cleaning that is indicated.
Sometimes, no stylus cleaning is needed.
At other times a swipe with a dry brush (modified as per Peter Ledermann's instructions) or I use one of the carbon fiber stylus brushes referred to in earlier posts in this thread.
The stylus sometimes has some stubborn built-up crud on it that requires more aggressive cleaning and that's when the Magic Eraser or the MoonGel comes out. That usually does it - at least 90% of the time.
On the worst case scenario, after all of the above doesn't take care of the crud completely, I resort to using AT607 liquid. But very carefully (I think I know how to use it) except for my Ortofon SPU where the manufacturer strongly warns against the use of any liquid cleaner. Quite frankly, my SPU stylus has never had the kind of crud build-up that might warrant resorting to a liquid cleaner - at least not as of yet
Stephen300
Active Member
I've used the little Discwasher stylus brush that came with the DW record cleaner and Zerostat kit I bought 30+ years ago. Never had any need for anything else.
Doug G.
Lunatic Member
Hi Norm,
I didn't answer you on V.E. re BIC's because I got kicked off there.
I have used the Discwasher stylus brush for many years and it works perfectly. I occasionally use a bit of alcohol because a film can develop from dirt and dust getting compressed into that, over time. Sometimes, a little more aggressive approach is needed.
My old Shure V15 stylus was sounding dull and lifeless and I thought it was worn but, looking under magnification, I could see a build up of an almost transparent material. I cleaned that off and it was like new again.
Doug
I didn't answer you on V.E. re BIC's because I got kicked off there.
I have used the Discwasher stylus brush for many years and it works perfectly. I occasionally use a bit of alcohol because a film can develop from dirt and dust getting compressed into that, over time. Sometimes, a little more aggressive approach is needed.
My old Shure V15 stylus was sounding dull and lifeless and I thought it was worn but, looking under magnification, I could see a build up of an almost transparent material. I cleaned that off and it was like new again.
Doug
Final_Baton
Well-Known Member
I've been using magic eraser for the last year but since a couple of weeks I've had a lil' round container of moongel pads here I ordered for $10 CAD and been using that. I stick one pad on top of the container and take said container out of the drawer only when needed, to not get any more dust on the moongel. the container is just the right height for allowing stylus being dipped unto it.
seems to work well enough, it definitely grabs those little dust specks there sometimes is on the needle. I have no idea if magic eraser is better than this method or not (does it ''polish'' the stylus?)
seems to work well enough, it definitely grabs those little dust specks there sometimes is on the needle. I have no idea if magic eraser is better than this method or not (does it ''polish'' the stylus?)
schleif
Active Member
So, I have the onzow, the discwasher, cartridge stylus cleaning fluid and brush now. I have tried them all and not sure what I think at this point. On one hand, sweeping a brush along the diamond and cantilever, seems risky on the more delicate stylus's. The onzow only removes the crud on the bottom side but not dust that can creep around to the topside and parts of the cantilever. The fluid and brush combo, well is the fluid emulsifying the dust and dirt so the brush can rub the loose dirt across the diamond? I almost feel like they should make a mini steam cleaner for the stylus tip, as if you were cleaning a diamond on a ring, but then you would have to deal with the bonding of the diamond to the stylus. I wonder exactly what the manufactures do when they manufacture these stylus's and test them.
you don't want to get liquid inside the back of the cantilever tube so no immersing eh?
I've been using the brush and cleaner I posted for decades with no ill affect, and it cleans very well, I use it each time I flip the record.
look at the magnified cleaned stylus pictures I posted in post #15, supposedly it lubricates the stylus as well and doubles stylus life.
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schleif
Active Member
well, clearly in those pics are very convincing, the diamond looks like it just came out of the diamond cutter's room ready for installation on to a cantilever. But I was just throwing those questions out there as curiosity to get all sides. But your pics are very convincing, I must agree!
I don't know if it actually extends stylus life, but as NOS Grace stylus don't grow on trees I'll keep on using it lol.
schleif
Active Member
LOL, I just find it interesting that a diamond is one of the hardest naturally forming substance on the planet, and they wear out when riding on spinning vinyl. Meanwhile, they will cut through glass. Oh boy!