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Which record brush do you use?

db297

db297

Active Member
I did a search on "record brush" and "brush" and didn't find any threads with that as a main subject. I thought I saw more than one before.

Anyway - I bought the most expensive record brush from Sleeve City. It was like $16 or something. No matter what though, it seems like the brush does not actually pick up the dust. When I'm done brushing the album a couple of revolutions I just have a thin line of all the dust it gathered. I then use a micro fiber towel to "lightly" wipe off the dust.

Does anybody own a brush that actually "picks up" the dust????????

Thanks,
db
 
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I'm beginning to think that all brushes are merely devices to push dust/dirt around your vinyl. I have used at least ten different makes of these "dust distributors" and they all do the same thing...NOTHING! My plan is to make some sort of brush device coupled with a vacuum. Not exactly a full-blown RCM (record cleaning machine), but something that will actually take crud off of the vinyl.
 
db297 said:
...Does anybody own a brush that actually "picks up" the dust????????

Thanks,
db
Click to expand...

I use the AudioQuest carbon fiber brush. Works fine. I'm not sure any brush is going to "pick up" all the dust. There is a technique involved.

You hold the brush lightly against the record as it's revolving, and after a few revolutions you angle the brush slightly towards yourself and slowly move it off the record. It pushes the dust "line" along ahead of itself and as you move it off the edge of the record the dust sticks to the brush.
 
Use a Milty Carbon Fibre brush, pretty sure they all come out of the same factory anyway. As for the line of dirt, I just get rid of it by gradually removing the brush rather than just pulling it off in one go. So whilst the platter is spinning I'll just gradually ease it away horizontally so that line doesn't stay.
 
I use a combination of a carbon fiber brush and the Mobile Fidelity brush.

First, I use the carbon fiber brush, holding it straight (from edge to label). This will get a lot of dust but usually not all. Then, as Fisherdude suggested, I place the brush on the record the second time for a few revolutions, then angle like a snowplow, then slowly slide the brush off the record. This will get about 98% dust off the record.

I then use two or three drops of Nitty Gritty fluid on the leading edge of the Mofi brush. After enough revolutions for the fluid to spread and then be picked up by the brush, the record is usually dust free.
 
I've been using a Discwasher brush for cleaning for the past... 20 years now I guess. Having gotten back into vinyl and vintage audio heavily again I've learned a lot lately about record care. I find the Discwasher does a pretty ok job keeping an LP clean once it's already cleaned up pretty well. For light dusting I use an LPGear X3 carbon brush that does ok -- although unless I work hard to keep it clean it will add dust instead of take it away. Lately I haven't used the Discwasher. I either vacuum or use the carbon brush.

Michael

PS: Technique -- place brush across all groves, make a few revs, then slowly pull brush outward while spinning and angle brush slightly with innermost edge of brush forward of outermost edge... ths kind of sweeps the dust off. I don't have a line of anything when done, but do have trace dust specs if I look close and haven't cleaned the carbon brush
 
Could one clean LP's with the brush commonly found on vacuum wands as long as they are clean?(the brush that is)
 
Fisherdude said:
You hold the brush lightly against the record as it's revolving, and after a few revolutions you angle the brush slightly towards yourself and slowly move it off the record. It pushes the dust "line" along ahead of itself and as you move it off the edge of the record the dust sticks to the brush.
Click to expand...

This is what I do as well and it works fine for the most part.
 
I use 'Goldring's' Super Exstatic, works fine. BUT:nono: I try to keep my disc washed, ( I use a Spin Clean) I feel brushes do not clean dirt and grime, they're only good for dust and the odd hair:yes:
 
For many years...

I have three. The Watts Disc Preener (love it), the Discwasher System and a dust bug. I also use a Rec-o-ton cloth I really like for dusting off now and then. It picks the dust right off.

I have to say the Discwasher is a bit cumbersome but it works. The Watts is very effective and probably my favorite. The dust bug is for overkill :yes: and the cloth is for whatever I spot when it hits the platter.

I don't have or collect dirty vinyl so I primarily remove dust from the surface.
 
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All my records when first in my possession are cleaned with a RCM, in that process I just use a Nitty Gritty velvet record brush. And before each play on the turntable itself I use the Audioquest carbon fiber brush for a couple rotations. Seems to work fine.
 
BigManAndy said:
All my records when first in my possession are cleaned with a RCM, in that process I just use a Nitty Gritty velvet record brush. And before each play on the turntable itself I use the Audioquest carbon fiber brush for a couple rotations. Seems to work fine.
Click to expand...

Perfect.
 
ZAZ13 said:
Could one clean LP's with the brush commonly found on vacuum wands as long as they are clean?(the brush that is)
Click to expand...

I'm guessing these would create a huge amount of static, even more than the ones that these carbon fibre brushes produce.
 
Back in The Day, when vinyl was the undisputed best sounding music source, (that was before CDs and their claims) I got a carbon fiber brush from Radio Shack. It's instructions said it was for static removal and to angle the brush toward the spindle, push toward the center of the platter, and run the bristles across the spindle, which we assume was grounded. Twenty-five or so years have since passed and we are now brushing toward the outer rim of the platter. Carbon fiber brushes are no longer used to transfer static to a convenient ground but are now used to push the collection of record surface debris that used to end up in a heap next to the spindle out over the rim of the record to lie in a heap on the turntable's plinth. The accumulated static in the brush's fibers apparently now goes nowhere and just builds up until I discharge it by touching the brush to the tip of a cat's tail. Brush in, or brush out, which technique to use? I could compromise and move the brush neither in or out, but then I would spend all night pushing a ridge of record surface debris across the surface of my record and never get to listen to it. I am confused. What is the proper way to use a carbon fiber brush?
 
Audioquest

I have the audioquest, picked on needle doctor and it works really fine.

Anyway I agree with rega's philosophy that the needle is cleaning the record while playing. I only use my brush when a lot of dust is visible. I actually see the gray dust accumulating on the brush. Great brush.
 
hifi_nut said:
Same here. I´m on y third, I believe.:yes:
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Yeah I'm on my third also , 38 years or so . but since I started with the RCM cleaning I just use a Deca CF brush .If I play one of my old records that has not yet been through the RCM , I use the discwasher brush with some Nitty Gritty on it . All purchases go through the wash first and am working my way through my old collection a few at a time . After a wash any carbon fibre brush is all I need and that is maybe just habit of cleaning before play ?
 
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