[BigMeanPunk]

I have always had vinyl, but recently (mostly due to Death Waltz releases) I have gone full tilt into collecting and most importantly listening to my records. I sold a ton of other collectible junk on ebay and luckily made enough to buy my first quality turntable. So I want everything to sound as good as it can.

So what do you do to clean your vinyl?

Do you clean brand new records before first play?

How do you make your thrift store finds sound the best?

[freshoj]

I have a VPI 16.5 that I love. So far I haven't gotten in the habit of cleaning new LPs or even used ones that appear clean.

[monsterworship]

I have a record doctor V, cleaning machine. For $200 it's well constructed.

Just got a giant bottle of audio intelligent cleaning fluid #6?

[jgibbs4053]

i saving up for one, but i have heard good things about the Spin Clean and its like 70 bucks. you should clean all your new records.

[tim28212]

I have a VPI 16.5 also and clean everything before putting it on my turntable, new and used. I use either MOFI Plus Enzyme cleaner and rinse or audio intelligent 3 step cleaning. My cartridge is a sumiko blackbird and I want it lasting as long as possible. After cleaning I put the records in an anti static inner sleeve and then the jacket with some sort of protective outer sleeve.

[static14]

I use a Nitty Gritty with one of Record Doctor's enzyme fluids, rinse with distilled, and put into new mofi sleeves. Same for used and new records.

[unpopular_poet]

I like to get that old record sound -- I rub them down with paper towels and lemon juice. That way, it crackles like a fire. Seriously though, I have a Spin Doctor and a nice brush -- I brush every record before playing and try to clean as often as possible -- I am saving up for a VPI Cleaner...

[philball1974]

All records get a brush with the Super Exstatic before every play which keeps them clean, even new ones.

if I've not played it for a while i clean them with Peerless -AV and a lint free cloth

[hncreature]

[quote=18665]I have a VPI 16.5 also and clean everything before putting it on my turntable, new and used. After cleaning I put the records in an anti static inner sleeve and then the jacket with some sort of protective outer sleeve.[/quote]

Almost the same...I'll add two steps to that with a Hunt Mark VI carbon brush first...then finish it with a light Groove Glide application

[jdubtxn]

@static14 How do you like the Nitty Gritty? I was thinking about snagging one. I need to sell some records first but I figure it's worth the investment.

[static14]

I've got the vaccum master model and it works well. the vaccum is kinda loud but it definitely does the job. You may want to consider getting the version made by kabusa, it's cheaper, smaller footprint and you just plug in a shop vac or standup. I got mine used a number of years ago for a great price otherwise i would have gone the kabusa route myself. The KAB cleaner also uses official nitty gritty parts so you wouldn't have to worry about stuff going oop.

Just a thought

[hncreature]

[quote=18691]I like to get that old record sound — I rub them down with paper towels and lemon juice. That way, it crackles like a fire[/quote]

I'd lose my f@#kin' mind


...and why am I laughing so hard at UP's post?

[BigMeanPunk]

I have some fleabay auctions going and I am leaning towards the VPI 16.5. I got a spin cleaner and while it seems to do an ok job I am just not in love with having to do 10 or 20 records every time to make it worthwhile. I like the idea of just being able to do 1 and then get right to listening.

To those with the VPI... Do you just do it by the book or do you have your own methods. I see that people will use the fluid/scrub the record/vacuum it and then put it away. Other people will fluid/scrub/vac/rinse/vac. When they rinse they will change the suction tube to one that is dedicated to the rinse. How easy is it to change it on the fly?

[freshoj]

> How easy is it to change it on the fly?

very! (assuming you have a second one)

it just rests in the unit using gravity.

[tim28212]

@hncreature, I finish with Groove Glide also and instead of a Hunts brush I use a discwasher brush

[tim28212]

I use the same tube for wash and rinse, I just use a soft bristle toothbrush after a clean cycle before use it for a rinse cycle. I have had my machine probably close to 20 - 25 yrs and still use the original tube but I do change the velvet strips every 6 months.

[hncreature]

tim28212 - Discwasher over Hunts? You're old school and that's what you always been using? Thanks for the reminder that I REALLY need to change the velvet strips on the tube! Do you do a 10-15min drying step too or do you think the vacuum takes care of it?

BMP - I have the Disc Doctor brushes that I juice up directly on the brush and scrub the Lp then the vacuum...3 rotations - Flip the Lp and do the second side - I don't use the brush that was provided...while doing research when buying the VPI I read about the brush method so I went that route - I haven't used the two step cleaning method just the one

This is where I read how to clean...again I haven't done a rinse...but that my change - http://www.elusivedisc.com/DISC-DOCTOR- ... DDMCLEAN3/

[tim28212]

hncreature-yep, Discwasher is what I have always used, and yes, I am old school. (51 and counting ) That being said, I've been wanting a Hunts but just never spent the money for one. I use the Discwasher on the record before the wet wash. When the album goes on the turntable I use an Audioquest carbon fiber anti-static brush before the needle hits the record. I don't do a drying step, I think the vacuum gets the job done. If I have been cleaning alot of records then sometime the brushes on the pickup tube will be wet and the vacuum isn't enough. I might wait or sometimes I use a spare (I have a few) Groove Glide application pad to finish drying it. Here is a little more detail to my routine...

-record goes on VPI and I use the Discwasher brush for a few spins to get the loose stuff off
-use Mofi Enzyme cleaner applied directly on the record and using either an Osage or disc doctor brush I spread the cleaner over the record and into the grooves, I usually let it sit 3-5 minutes to break up and loosen the tough stuff, then vacuum off for 3 rotation
-use a soft bristle tooth brush to clean the pick-up tube
-use Mofi Record Rinse applied directly to record and spread with a different disc doctor brush, 4 or 5 rotations and sometimes some light scrubbing, then vacuum off for 3 rotations
-apply groove glide
-flip and repeat
-put on turntable platter and use Audioquest brush for a few spins & enjoy
-if not spinning, the cleaned record gets put into a new anti static sleeve and the jacket goes into a protective sleeve

this routine has worked well for me for several years. Occasionally a record will be really bad and I will repeat the routine, sometimes a second cleaning helps but most times it turns out to be the record and no amount of cleaning helps it.

a few other cleaning formulas I have used, 2 step Disc Doctor, AI Vinyl Solutions 3 step, and VPI. AI and MOFI are my favorite and I flip between the two. Currently using MOFI.

[hncreature]

tim28212 - I'm right up there at old school at 47 - I used the DW back in the day...who didn't right! Did some research and found the Hunt's got good reviews

I've had great luck with the one step cleaning but like you said sometimes it isn't enough - I think 2nd stepping starts soon and I'm liking the reviews on the MOFI juice you're using

The Osage is the type that came with the VPI and haven't used it - The only vid on YouTube showing how the VPI is used he used the Osage brush application...and made me nervous about so much fluid hence my direct to brush application - How many oz. are you using per record side? I'm at about 3/4 tablespoon as suggested in the above link

Zero Stat gun?

...and thanks for the back and forth here it's much appreciated

[BigMeanPunk]

A lot of good insight!

[tim28212]

hncreature - no Zero Stat gun yet. Static can sometimes be an issue in my listening room, especially during Winter so I have been giving it serious consideration lately. The Osage brush is very similar to the VPI and I like it, especially when I need to do a bit of scrubbing. It's funny because originally I did not like the VPI brush and switched to the Disc Doctor brushes and now I am back using one. Not sure how much fluid I am using per side. Since I am letting it sit and soak on the record I am probably a bit generous with the amount. I don't want the fluid drying on the record while soaking. I am in my second year of working at the goal of getting all my vinyl cleaned and sleeved, both inner and outer. On average I have been cleaning about 7 to 10 records per week and the last two bottles of MOFI have lasted me a little over six months. This last bottle I got back in November and I am getting close to placing another order for it and some more Groove Glide. I usually try to order when they, Music Direct or Elusive Disc, have a 10% off sale. On a side note, I have also used the Last Record Preservative but it has gotten too expensive and I like the fact that Groove Glide is not permanent like the Last treatment.

[Re-animated Cat]

My dad used to use Permastat on all of his new records. It's amazing stuff - his 30-40 years old records still look brand new. It doesn't seem like anyone uses it anymore though.

[tim28212]

@animated, I have never heard of that but it sounds like it's similar to Last. Do they still make that?