Ultrasonic cleaning issues... any advice?

[multirock]

Hello everybody.
I'm looking for your advice about my record cleaning method.
I made my self an Ultrasonic record cleaning system, and bought a Project vacuum cleaning machine to dry my records after all the process.
I had read a lot about this subject and I think I'm doing all right, but I have some issues.
After all the cleaning process the records sounds very clean except for some light but constant clicks mostly on left channel. Sounds like static, but I don't think it is. I have a zero stat gun which its very efficient removing static. It isn't in all the records but in most of them.
What do you think I must be doing wrong?
Here is my method:
1. Remove the dust from the records with an "antistatic" carbon fiber brush.
2. Put 1, 2 or 3 records inside the 6 lt. ultrasonic tank with this home made solution:
a) 4,8 lt. of distiled water
b) 2,4 ml. of Triton x-100 (0,05%)
c) 240 ml of isopropylic alcohol (5%)
3. Heat the water at 35º
4. Start a 15 min ultrasonic cleaning cicle at 1 revolution per 1:30 min.
5. Rinse 1 record at a time in an old spin clean bath without brushes and full of distiled water
6. Vacuum dry the records in the Project machine.
7. Rinse again
8. Vacuum again.
9. Dry at air for 20 minutes.

Any advice, recommendations will be appreciate!
Thanks!
Esteban

 

[soundmig]

I'd skip the carbon fiber brush step. For a time I was using one of those, and my records all seemed to pick up a good number of pops and clicks. I'm not sure why, but those brushes seem to (if the record has any dust or debris on it) drag the dust and debris across the surface and create some small imperfections that start adding up to additional pops and clicks. I do basically what you are doing above, except that I don't do step number 1 of your process, and I can take a new album, clean it and have an absolutely silent click free surface.

Also, be sure that you don't dry the record too long on the RCM. Too many revolutions on one of those and you end up scraping your record across a dry pad - which isn't good for things - usually. Just take it around on the RCM 1 or 2 revolutions and then let it air dry for another 10 minutes or so.

That's my two cents worth. I hope that it helps

 

[multirock]

Also, be sure that you don't dry the record too long on the RCM. Too many revolutions on one of those and you end up scraping your record across a dry pad - which isn't good for things - usually. Just take it around on the RCM 1 or 2 revolutions and then let it air dry for another 10 minutes or so.

That's my two cents worth. I hope that it helps

Thanks!
Maybe that could be the problem. I usually leave the record on the RCM for 4 or 5 revolutions. Maybe dust or debris from the pads are in the records grooves..
By the way, what are you using to remove the dust from the records instead the carbon fiber brush?
Best regards

 

[soundmig]

Thanks!
Maybe that could be the problem. I usually leave the record on the RCM for 4 or 5 revolutions. Maybe dust or debris from the pads are in the records grooves..
By the way, what are you using to remove the dust from the records instead the carbon fiber brush?
Best regards

First, I clean the RCM pad that touches the record often by brushing it with a record brush that I only use to clean that RCM pad. As for removing dust before I clean via U.S. I really don't. If it's a really dirty record (thrift store buy, etc.) I may rinse it with my rinse tank (a Spin-Clean that I keep with 5% OH and a few drops of Spin-Clean cleaning concentrate in it) and vacuum it for one revolution. I use a bit of the Spin Clean cleaning concentrate because it has a flocculant in it that helps precipitate dust particles out of the fluid solution. But normally, I don't remove dust before U.S. cleaning.

 

[eiraved]

I'm looking for your advice about my record cleaning method.

Use the search function on this page and type in "ultrasonic". Select "Search this forum only" to restrict your search to the Turntable forum and you'll find loads of information on ultrasonic cleaning methods.

 

[kirk57]

I can't think of any way that record cleaning methods would result in light but constant clicks mostly on left channel.
This only happens after you clean a record?

 

[multirock]

I can't think of any way that record cleaning methods would result in light but constant clicks mostly on left channel.
This only happens after you clean a record?

I know it’s strange. I can’t find an explanation. There are soft clicks like the one from static mostly on left channel. Before the cleaning method there weren’t.
I think after a few listens the clicks decrease.
I made a new cleaning cicle for one specific record and the clicks are still present.
I’m worried that I may be damage the groove somehow…
Thanks!

 

[twitch54]

I utilize a VPI 16.5 RCM and a Degritter ultra sonic RCM. The VPI is no only used as a 'pre-clean' on used and or new LP purchases and then followed up with a 'dip' in the ultra sonic. After which subsequent cleanings are with the ultra sonic.

I'm more than happy with my procedure .....

 

[multirock]

I utilize a VPI 16.5 RCM and a Degritter ultra sonic RCM. The VPI is no only used as a 'pre-clean' on used and or new LP purchases and then followed up with a 'dip' in the ultra sonic. After which subsequent cleanings are with the ultra sonic.

I'm more than happy with my procedure .....

So, you don’t rinse after the ultrasonic?

 

[twitch54]

So, you don’t rinse after the ultrasonic?

no, it's all part of the cleaning process of the Degritter.........

https://degritter.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQ...QIAEf7fNKHVoXS_lJ-VgkkqOqhWiwNGMaAhUOEALw_wcB

 

[imready]

i know this is an old thread but I'd check cartridge alignment and anti-skate. Possibly when you clean, you may be removing some dirt tha was keeping any noise from being apparent. I anti-skate is out of adjustment, it may cause more pressure on one side of the grove in a limited area.

 

[Hajidub]

Imready has good advice, I wanna say; try skipping the vacuum drying and see if it improves.

 

[mcgjohn]

Hello everybody.
I'm looking for your advice about my record cleaning method.
I made my self an Ultrasonic record cleaning system, and bought a Project vacuum cleaning machine to dry my records after all the process.
I had read a lot about this subject and I think I'm doing all right, but I have some issues.
After all the cleaning process the records sounds very clean except for some light but constant clicks mostly on left channel. Sounds like static, but I don't think it is. I have a zero stat gun which its very efficient removing static. It isn't in all the records but in most of them.
What do you think I must be doing wrong?
Here is my method:
1. Remove the dust from the records with an "antistatic" carbon fiber brush.
2. Put 1, 2 or 3 records inside the 6 lt. ultrasonic tank with this home made solution:
a) 4,8 lt. of distiled water
b) 2,4 ml. of Triton x-100 (0,05%)
c) 240 ml of isopropylic alcohol (5%)
3. Heat the water at 35º
4. Start a 15 min ultrasonic cleaning cicle at 1 revolution per 1:30 min.
5. Rinse 1 record at a time in an old spin clean bath without brushes and full of distiled water
6. Vacuum dry the records in the Project machine.
7. Rinse again
8. Vacuum again.
9. Dry at air for 20 minutes.

Any advice, recommendations will be appreciate!
Thanks!
Esteban

it likely is not a static charge. There will be tons of opinions on what the cause is. If you want to get past speculation, you may want to consider buying a better USB microscope and take some photos before and after your cleaning process treatments. Compare the groove photos before our cleaning process and after your cleaning steps. See if you can spot any groove damage, particles trapped in the grooves. Either may be causing your tics and pops. Depending on the level of contaminants in the grooves, you may have to do an additional cleaning step to get the bottom of the grooves really clean. Also don't forget to double check your anti skating setting on your arm when playing the cleaned record. If you are using a project record vac machine to dry them off afterwards, be sure to dump all the water/solution mix out of the machine when you are done for the day. Don't leave the moisture in the pro-ject, you will shorten the life of the vacuum motor bushings (already pretty short at an expected life of 500 hours).