[dminches]

I have been cleaning a lot of vinyl recently using the Audio Desk cleaner and have been notices that the very edge of the label is getting wet with soapy water. I can't tell if the water is too soapy or if the barrel brushes are pushing the liquid to too high a level.

Has anyone had this same issue?  Any suggestions?

When you clean records with this should you see some suds in the vinyl when the barrels are spinning and wetting the record?

[orthobiz]

Sounds like too much water in the machine.
During the spinning brushes phase the ultrasonic unit is working so some bubbling is normal.
I believe you can see a little light deep in the water when the U-S is on.
Between this and the SpinClean, I still don't understand how the label doesn't get entirely wet!

Paul

[vinyl_guy]

I think Paul is right about too much fluid in the reservoir. I've cleaned about 400 with mine and have not had a problem with wetting the labels. I keep my fluid level at just enough to change the low fluid flashing red light to green. I do not get "soapy suds." I only use the cleaning fluid supplied by Audio Desk with distilled water and while there are some bubbles when the rollers are scrubbing, I wouldn't call it soapy or sudsy.

[shaizada]

I have the water level all the way till I can't see the water level through the window.  I've never had a wet label issue yet.  I get a nice amount of sudsing action sometimes and other times the water is pretty clear.  Only issue I have sometimes is that SOME LP's have a few water droplets left, usually thinner LP's.  Quick blot with a microfober towel and all is well.  Records come out in pristine shape.

[woodsyi]

I checked it out last night and no suds while cleaning.  I also use just distilled water and the Audio desk fluid .  I had the label coming out wet the first time I used it and it was due to too much water.  I now fill it just past the light going to green.  I cover the top with a plastic wrap when not in use to keep dust from getting in and water from evaporating. 

[orthobiz]

I bought some reagent water in a 5 gallon box, NERL. You can get it on eBay but I bought it through a medical supplier. Anyway, I started freaking out because some say it's too harsh. Visions of damages seals and a nonfunctioning unit not covered by warranty, etc. etc.

Can't understand it, like water ought to be water, right? I wound up switching back to Aquafina à la Fremer. I think Laura uses this also.

Unrelated to the specifics of this topic, but it does have Audio Desk content!

Paul

[dminches]

Thanks for all your comments. I will drain some water and add back only enough to get the green go light to go on.

[vinyl_guy]

I also put a piece of plastic wrap on top of the unit to keep the water from evaporating when not in use (Thanks Woodsyi). I met the distributor, Robert Stein, at RMAF and he recommended using distilled water. He said the cleaning concentrate was designed and manufactured for mixing with distilled water. He cautioned against using ultra pure or deionized water for the reasons Paul mentioned.

[dminches]

Plastic wrap is a good idea. I having just been putting the audio desk cloth in top but that is porous.

[orthobiz]

Go ahead and wrap it, although somehow I think the Audio Desk is not the most watertight thing around...

Paul

[vinyl_guy]

Go ahead and wrap it, although somehow I think the Audio Desk is not the most watertight thing around...

Paul

I have had no leakage issues. My plastic is the flat side of a piece of bubble wrap placed on top of the machine to cover the slot and then a book on top of the bubble wrap to help "seal" it.

[dminches]

Things have been working nicely since I drained some of the liquid out.

Has anyone removed the fans screens and cleaned them of the accumulating dust?  They are easy to remove but I am not sure they should be run under water.

[dimkasta]

Also make sure that your liquid is not used for many more records than specified.

The surfactant in it could be losing its strength and water does not slip on the vinyl as it should

[dminches]

Some more issues...

I did get the top replaced but this has led to some new issues. I am wondering if anyone with the newer top experiences the same thing, described below.

When the cleaning cycle ends and the water returns to the tank the fans start blowing. What is happening is that the underside of the sleeve that the rubber wipers sit in is wet and the fan is blowing moisture onto the record run out and the label. The drying cycle never eliminates it. So, the groove part of the record is dry, but the label and run out are wet.

Attached is a picture of the final product:





Does anyone else have this issue?

Finally, Robert Stein has been very responsive to my questions and is working hard to solve this problem.

[vinyl_guy]

I have not had a problem with the label getting wet.

[dminches]

I have not had a problem with the label getting wet.

Do you have the newer top?  Here's a picture of mine:




Also, when the cleaning cycle is over is there any moisture left on the underside of the wiper sleeve?  That triangular sloped piece under the wiper is wet and blows on the record.

Thanks for responding.

[vinyl_guy]

I'm traveling and will look when I'm home.

[dminches]

Thank you.

[woodsyi]

I will look tonight.  I didn't get any water on the label when I cleaned a record last night.  Solvent level came up about 3/4" short of the lable.  It never got touched with the liquid.  I will look to see if the fan blows any residual liquid onto it after the tank trained.

[orthobiz]

I haven't been posting a lot lately but I'm still around! Anyway, my Audio Desk upgrade arrived from Gene Rubin. If I can get off my duff, I hope to post a couple pics and a review of the differences. The old unit is going back To Gene.

Paul