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Used a Spin Clean, record sound worse no matter what

C

CravenCorvo

New Member
I used a Spin Clean, and now the vinyl that I cleaned sounds horrible with pops and clicks and best way to describe it, campfire. I tested this vs. records that haven't been cleaned using the Spin Clean, honestly night and day. The records themselves were clean, and I mean NM- to brand new. Yes. I did brand new as the internet has said that newer vinyl has a lacquer that gets applied that could possibly trap in dirt and debris that can cause pops (which I heard in my sealed records) and now I get even more pops and cracks and I'm not happy.

So. I would like some help with the cheapest and most effective way to either a) cut down or b) eliminate this problem.

I would like anyone to rule out the vacuum and steam clean method as either way is out of the budget at this point and time. Alternatives would be great.
 
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Sounds to me like the problem you're experiencing probably isn't in the wash cycle, but in the method of drying.

Vacuuming is the best way to make sure there's no moisture or debris left in the grooves. I realize you said that that type of machine is not in the budget at the moment - I understand, I'm I the same boat.

The next best way is with a lint-free cloth. For me, I've had great results using old terry cloth bath towels - ones that have softened up from years of washings. After hand drying, let the records air dry for another 1/2 hour or so to make sure all the moisture has evaporated from the grooves. Finally pass a record brush over to remove any lint traces left from the toweling.

If you notice a lot of lint build-up on the stylus after playing, you may want to consider a carbon fiber brush and/or switch to a microfiber towel for the drying - though my experience with those towels is that they end up leaving more staticky lint than the terry cloth.

Good luck!
 
You could try drying the records with cheese cloth , you can buy/ make your own towels from a fabric store. How long did you let the records dry after spin cleaning them ?
 
I use a microfibre towel underneath the record when I remove the record from the spin wash. I use the soft cotton cloth the spin wash comes with to wipe down the record. The I do Maybe 5 or 6 loops around the record on each side with the second soft cotton cloth. I never switch this one out, but I will switch out the bottom cloth and the first drying stage cloth after about 10 records. I don't get any ticks or tocks if the record is in good condition. I'm quite happy with the results I get.
 
Make sure your using distilled water in the Spin Clean! Always dry the record completely after you washed it. Dry the record in a clockwise motion!
Clean records (new or excellent condition) you need to only spin 3 times each way. I use cloth baby diapers to dry my records, lint free and absorb water really good! Microfiber cloths left fibers on my stylus when I dried with them. I only use microfiber cloths to dry clean my records before I wash them, keeps the water cleaner in the Spin Clean.
 
Without knowing all the details of how you are cleaning your records ... it's hard to tell. However I would guess that you are experiencing a residue issue (cleaner is leaving trace elements in the grooves).

Try several rinse cycles ... distilled water if possible ... even tap could work. Leave the records a good long time to dry. Good luck.
 
I had this problem at first with Spin Clean also. Came to find out I was doing the drying cloth thing in the wrong direction. Drying in the right direction fixed the problem. Read the directions very carefully and make sure that you are going in the correct direction as you dry the vinyl.
 
I used the Spin Clean, dried them with microfiber clothes, put them back in paper sleeves, behind the jacket. Put the record on turntable, noisy. Try to clean it with a handmade solution, still noisy. I even tried to use the handmade solution, wipe it with a microfiber cloth, then dry it with another. Then use just distilled water, use 2 more microfibers, one to wipe, and then one to dry, still noisy.

Then on two records, tried the wash with Dawn and warm tap water, still sound the same. Honestly, I'm lost. I know that you're supposed to let the records air dry, however in my tiny, roach infested apartment, I'm afraid to leave them out overnight and let them dry. I'm afraid roaches will get legs/arms stuck in it, scratch up the vinyl, and **** in it. Plus, I'm not for sure if I'm supposed to wipe with handmade solution, dry, then dowse with distilled water and let sit, or try to dry that and let it sit and dry.

Also, are there wrong microfiber cloths that you can use?
 
My method is much like Ilikevinyl's. Distilled water, cloth diapers. I'm not super picky about direction of drying. It does sound like you may have a static problem, especially after all the cleaning methods you've tried. I find I get static problems with the plain paper sleeves. I use poly-lined inner sleeves and don't really have static problems anymore. Also, make sure it's your records and not a ground issue with your record player or anything like that. Blind suggestions, I know.
 
I don't like microfibre for drying anything. Cotton works better, but as others have mentioned it's best if as lint free as possible. Old towels or well loved flannel sheets could work well.

Do not dry before rinsing with the distilled water. If the record dries first the dirt which might still be on the surface could have settled back in the groove. I find that after rinsing with water direct from my undersink filter and then placing in the dish drainer the records are usually dry pretty quickly.
 
And if you have a ceiling fan it helps speed up the drying process. As others have mentioned drying towels tend to leave lint, I tried microfiber, cotton, didn't work, tried a real chamois, even worse, so back to the tried and true air drying.
 
Montycat is right - use a distilled rinse and for drying purposes use a *clean* cotton towel followed by air drying.
 
If you google the issue the OP is having, it is actually a common Spin Clean complaint.

I would say this issue happens to me personally, every 3 Spin Clean batches. There is no rhyme or reason - I follow the instructions 100% and use the supplied clothes. When it happens, all I have to do is play the LP front to back and the spin clean "crackle" disappears.

I don't know how to prevent it, but I have a clue as to what is causing it. Recently, I ended up with a batch of records made noisier by the SC. I re-filled the SC bath with distilled water and NO cleaning fluid. I spun each of the noisy LP's 1X in each direction in the clear water, dried them with the clothes and placed them in a rack for one hour. Noise completely gone............
 
I've washed approximately 350 records in my Spin Clean since I got it and have yet to have one become noisier afterwards. I use two towels to dry them and only dry clockwise. Records cleaned for the first time get new poly sleeves as well.
 
Agreed, reydelaplaya. My suggestion would be to buy a shop vac from wallyworld for 25 or so, and then contact AK'er hi*ball and get his econo-wand for about the same.

Voila, done. Oh, and would need a broken tt for maximum effectiveness.
 
onwardjames said:
Agreed, reydelaplaya. My suggestion would be to buy a shop vac from wallyworld for 25 or so, and then contact AK'er hi*ball and get his econo-wand for about the same.

Voila, done. Oh, and would need a broken tt for maximum effectiveness.
Click to expand...

I saw the ad on that site. Has anyone here tried one of those econo-wands?

BTW: There are two available in that price range. One has a hole for the TT spindle the other doesn't.
 
I have hi*ball's prototype, the hole is perfect for alignment. Keeps the labels safe, gives you a pivot.

Since using the Spin Clean/Econowand method, my gluing has dropped considerably. It just works. He's sold at least 50 I think. Very cheap, very good.
 
I think what the OP is experiencing may be due to static. Unless you have an anti-stat in the wash solution and avoid anionic detergents, you can get a static issue that leads to pops and clicks even though the record new and clean. This is why dish soap is not recommended. The Dawn you are using is mostly sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS). The head group of this detergent is negatively charged. Use a non-ionic like Tergitol NP40 or Triton-x100.
 
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