Jazz Junkie
Super Member
We have an AudioQuest, but it is only so-so. The Levin Design Dry Cleaning Brush is the one we settled on. It’s made in Germany using hand-pulled horse or Chinese goat’s hair. It does an exquisite job.
What Record Brush do you use?
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I use a goat hair brush (Revolv brand) but only for scrubbing a record that is wet with cleaning fluid. I've found that dry brushing records (no matter what type of brush) tends to (over time) increase the number of pops and clicks. If a record looks like it may have dust or lint or ??? particles on it, I'll rinse it in distilled H2O with a drop or two of spin clean concentrate and about 5 ml of Isopropyl in the Spin Clean and vacuum it with my Record Doctor V. Then let it dry thoroughly before playing. When albums are new or newly purchases used, I clean them via UltraSonic Cleaning, rinse, vacuum and dry before playing. If on first play they still have some lead-in groove dirt, I'll scrub the outer 1/2 inch or so with cleaning fluid and the Goat Hair brush - before yet another US clean, rinse then dry.
Nice Brush!!! All of your "stuff" appears to be top notch!
Jazz Junkie
Super Member
That’s interesting. Sounds like a great system.
I use a DeGritter for wet brushing and drying. It works well. On good records I do not have any - absolutely none - Rice Krispy effects. Of course I have records that are 40-60 years old and they do have some snap, crackle and pops. Our home is dusty. So the brush is a necessity.
B Side
Member
Looks well crafted @Jazz Junkie !
For a quick clean, I have tried different brushes. I have an ultra-fine (50 micron) brush that is supposed to fit inside the grooves. I also have the velvet pad type. Both types just push the dust around into a line, but does not really take them off. Then I tried a 'sticky' roller that does the best job at removing dirt and dust (outside of a thorough cleaning).
The sticky roller (the one in blue) seems to be very effective for cleaning out surface dirt and dust. But I don't find a lot of vinyl aficionados using it. Any particular reason why it is not popular? Might it be harmful to my records?
For a quick clean, I have tried different brushes. I have an ultra-fine (50 micron) brush that is supposed to fit inside the grooves. I also have the velvet pad type. Both types just push the dust around into a line, but does not really take them off. Then I tried a 'sticky' roller that does the best job at removing dirt and dust (outside of a thorough cleaning).
The sticky roller (the one in blue) seems to be very effective for cleaning out surface dirt and dust. But I don't find a lot of vinyl aficionados using it. Any particular reason why it is not popular? Might it be harmful to my records?
Jazz Junkie
Super Member
Perhaps the sticky roller may be leaving residue behind which may be picked up my your stylus and thus effect playback and even damage it. At least this would be my reasoning on it.
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) and a 2" velvet covered plastic bar.
Coolhandjjl
Embiggened Pompatus
I use the Kirmuss brush that came with my Kirmuss RCM. One side is a parastatic felt cloth, same as the Watts Parostatik Disc Preener from the 70’s, the other side is carbon fiber bristles.
I give the LP three rotations using the parastatic side, then the brush flips in the handle and I give it three more rotations on the carbon fiber side.
But the first step is the Zerostat!
I give the LP three rotations using the parastatic side, then the brush flips in the handle and I give it three more rotations on the carbon fiber side.
But the first step is the Zerostat!
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likebike23
Addicted Member
I've got a discwasher brush that I mostly use dry before playing records. On records that have a lot of static I will use a few drops of the D4 that came with it to "wet" clean.
For deep cleaning I have a Spin clean, but it is kind of a pain to use. I've settled on a homemade system with a lazy Susan with a spindle inserted into a drilled hole. I use a solution of alcohol/distilled H2O with a drop or 2 of dawn in a spray bottle. I spray the record and rotate it with a paint brush applied for a little while followed by a vacuum wand made by AK'r hiball.
For deep cleaning I have a Spin clean, but it is kind of a pain to use. I've settled on a homemade system with a lazy Susan with a spindle inserted into a drilled hole. I use a solution of alcohol/distilled H2O with a drop or 2 of dawn in a spray bottle. I spray the record and rotate it with a paint brush applied for a little while followed by a vacuum wand made by AK'r hiball.
twitch54
Super Member
IMO 'on TT cleaning' is no longer the best approach. Far better is the use of actual RCM's. I have a VPI 16.5 which has proven to be adequate over the years but last year I added a ultrasonic Degritter and it has taken Lp cleaning to another level. I therefore believe 'brushes' are for a quick swipe prior to playback. With that being said, any brushing of ones Lp that does not aide in conducting static electricity from the surface is useless.
As I said over on the WBF where this is also being discussed, my favorite all time brush...........
![IMG_0011[1].jpg](/forums/data/attachments/2322/2322811-bc4c57025b6edc61fef8a6a05a517f0b.jpg?hash=vExXAltu3G "IMG_0011[1].jpg")
I use a Mapleshade it’s the best brush I have used that actually takes the crackles pops static etc out of less than optimal records. Of course as said above, an RCM and or USC is first and foremost ideal for cleaning your vinyl properly.
Audiofreak71
Audiofreak71
twiiii
Lunatic Member
I use a Discwasher brush too. I use mine with VPI's cleaning fluid. If that isn't enough I fire up the 17.0 cleaning machine. If I played records more often I might update machine. But I am happy with it and with proper care of my records I only have to use it most of the time when I purchase pre-owned LP's. replacing old record jackets really reduces the record from being compromised.
Jazz Junkie
Super Member
Yes about inner sleeves. I do away with the inner sleeve of even new records and use a new sleeve that reduces static. I also use outer covers as well. Full protection for the entire record this way.
Jazz Junkie
Super Member
