Record clean

Hi-Fi Corner
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This will probably make your hair stand up;

I used to have an Ultrasonic before moving to Spain. Since coming back I have not got one. My collection is small but I will get another one. It’s a space issue. Although I either buy new or VG+ minimum I had no issues. However, a recent acquisition of a lovely classical box set, a 1950’s pressing, revealed considerable dirt and noise on playing, accumulated over years.

I have some isoprop spray alcohol and magic sponges. Quick spray, wipe followed by a dash of fairy. Rinse under tap and rinse from Britta water filter. Dry with kitchen paper. 30 minutes later play.

Have to say, whilst I wouldn’t recommend this way of cleaning replay was almost silent, very few crackles far in between. Sounds lovely.

If you have nothing else at hand, this will do.

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I have long used the opposite. Fairy solution first, rinse, dry. Alcohol, dry. The reason is that I think the soap leaves a film that the alcohol removes.

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DM1

After witnessing the damage I inflicted on a pair of glasses using kitchen paper (admittedly cleaning daily for several months!), I have never used it for anything other than its intended purpose. It contains tiny wood fragments which are extremely abrasive. I think you may have ‘got away with it’ on this occasion but I would strongly caution you to use a new clean micro fibre cloth for future record cleaning sessions.

Peter

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Broom
Broom2144×1174 201 KB

I’ve used these and nothing else dry for over 40 years.
Thousands of records and no Rice Crispies. :wink: :+1:

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My thinking was the alcohol will act as a wetting agent but your way could be better, I really don’t know. Result was superb though, surprised me.

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Ps. It took about 2 minutes/record at negligible cost.

USC on the way :wink:.

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I’ve used isop and magic sponge a few times on some grubby records which seemed to work fine but my grubbiest record ever is Tusk from the 2nd hand shop on Bury market. Big blobs of black crud scraped up by the stylus. I’m on its 3rd play now and the grooves are now clean. Probably not the best use of an expensive stylus but it does appear to work :grimacing:

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Going back to last century, a camera club member was an industrial chemist. He warned us not to use washing up liquids for anything other than the intended purpose. Typically the hand softener might be glycerine so leaves a coating on film, records or car windscreens. A preservative might be common salt, so might cause corrosion.

That said, if diluted correctly, the amount on your record would be very small. I am cautious, having for years tried to explain to dearly beloved and her family that you do not have to have bubbles piled so high above the washing up bowl that you cannot see a thing.

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