[DVV]

After two months, I can now safely say you can forget fancy machinery and consult your own local audio expert, your wife.

I took several old CDs, and for testing purposes, several btand new ones. I took them to the bathroom, turned on the tap and mixed a nicely warm, but not hot, water flow, so when you put your hand into it, it feels pleasantly warm. I dipped all the CDs. Next, I sprayed them with an agent called "Keo" (Italian, a spray bottle with a yellowish liquid used specifically for degreasing, but it'll wash things you wouldn't believe, but most important, it is not aggressive to plastic). 5 minutes to have it work, then a thorough rinsing in the same warm water.

Last but not least, I used Cleenex tissue to wipe the disks clean. This is generally preferred because of the fact that Cleenex or similar tissues have practically zero oil/grease on them by deafult. But they leave small particles - these were removed with a small air jet.

CDs which were previously troublesome in all of my several resident CD and DVD players were no longer such; all played faultlessly. The sound actually "improved"; obviously, it didn't really improve, I was simply given back what was gradually taken away from me over time by dust and airborne dirt deposits. Best of all, the water also degaussed any charges on the disks as a free gift (before anyone starts an argument whether this is degaussing, or if it's possible at all, try short-circuiting your hot water boiler and seeif it electrocutes you, which it won't if it's not conductive).

Anyone else tried this? Any other experiences?

Cheers,
DVV

[Dan Banquer]

This is just great Dejan; does this mean I have to start handling my CD's with latex rubber gloves?  
This sounds like an Eastern European plot to get CD's to be an inconvienent as records    
Seriously; It really doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.
Now remember when you come back in from changing the oil on your car; wash your hands before you put in a CD.    
              d.b.

[Bob Wilcox]

I use a less elaborate procedure when discs get dirty. I did not invent washing discs in the kitchen sink but here is how I do it:

I coat the shiny side with Ivory liquid and gently rub the disc. I rinse throughly with hot water using the kitchen sink spray attachment. Then I lay the disc face down on a Viva paper towel and use another to gently blot the shiney side. Then I use a 3rd paper towel to gently rub the shiny side radially and remove any remaining moisture.

The Viva paper towels are recommended by Walker Audio to use in lieu of their Vivid clothes. These paper towels are the closest I have seen to a soft cotton cloth and have a similar feel to the cloths shipped with Auric Illiminator. Normal paper towels are too abrasive to be used rubbing the shiny side of a disc.

[DVV]

This is just great Dejan; does this mean I have to start handling my CD's with latex rubber gloves?  

Yeah, just imagine you're a gynacologist. That's usually an uplifting thought (pun intended).

Seriously though Dan, no, of course that's not what I meant. Use them as usual. My point was that being plastic coated, CDs naturally attract dirt, and a fter a while, nothing but mechanical cleaning will help, here aided with some simple home chemistry.

BTW, I wash my PC motherboards and cards in EXACTLY the same way, only after rinsing, I work them over with a jet of air. Then they sit for 72 hours to really dry off. I've been doing that for years now, and not once has anything gone sour.

Come out shiny, like new.

This sounds like an Eastern European plot to get CD's to be an inconvienent as records    

East European? I don't live in East, I live in Southern Europe. I'll overlook the political background - just this once.

Well, you wanted clarity, you wanted putirty, you wanted great dynamics, you wanted outstanding signal to noise ratios all on one CD - so sweat some for it.

Seriously; It really doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.

It really isn't, Dan; go ahead, try it on a sample or two, if anything goes bad, I'll make it up to you. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

Now remember when you come back in from changing the oil on your car; wash your hands before you put in a CD.    
              d.b.

Not me, Dan - I have people do it in the service station. I just hand them a printed check list.

But there is one real possible caveat. If by chance the plastic coating on a CD has gone bad, water will get to the aluminium alloy inside, and it's possible it will "rust" as alumnium does, evetually turn darker. It's never happened to me, so I can't relate what happens then, but I imagine that CD will be unusable thereafter.

Cheers,
DVV

[DVV]

I use a less elaborate procedure when discs get dirty. I did not invent washing discs in the kitchen sink but here is how I do it:

I coat the shiny side with Ivory liquid and gently rub the disc. I rinse throughly with hot water using the kitchen sink spray attachment. Then I lay the disc face down on a Viva paper towel and use another to gently blot the shiney side. Then I use a 3rd paper towel to gently rub the shiny side radially and remove any remaining moisture.

The Viva paper towels are recommen ...

We have a slight problem here, Bob - I don't know what Ivory liquid is, nor do I know what Viva paper towels are. I imagine I have direct equivalents available, but under different trade names.

Anyway, I assume Ivory liquid is something typically used to degrease and/or wash dishes with, which corresponds with the liquid I use. Paper towels are the equivalent to Kleenex napkins (large size), I imagine. Hence, it appears that we are in effect doing the same thing, despite slight differences in performance.

What are your conclusions? Do you think/hear any differences?

Cheers,
DVV

[Bob Wilcox]

DVV

I find that clean and reflective discs track better - finger prints can cause skipping or difficulty with the cd player reading the discs table of contents.

Ivory Liquid is a dishwashing liquid. The label says "Mild on Hands, Hard on Grease." There are much stronger products that are sold here as 'degreasers' for laundry and industrial use. When you

Paper towels are sold on a roll. They are perforated to tear off the roll. Most of the napkin products sold here are also too rough to use.

Bob

[DVV]

DVV

I find that clean and reflective discs track better - finger prints can cause skipping or difficulty with the cd player reading the discs table of contents.

Same here. Also, I don't know if I'm imagining this or not, but I have a feeling that some (but not all) CDs give a touch more clarity after washing.

Ivory Liquid is a dishwashing liquid. The label says "Mild on Hands, Hard on Grease." There are much stronger products that are sold here as 'degreasers' for laundry and industrial use.

Yep, I reckon that's about what I'm using.

Paper towels are sold on a roll. They are perforated to tear off the roll. Most of the napkin products sold here are also too rough to use.

Bob

Same thing, only different format. I prefer Kleenex large napkins because they are indeed very soft, thus minimizing danger from scratches. Odd, this difference in softness, but I guess we write it off to global marketing differences.

Thank you, Bob.

Cheers,
DVV

[randytsuch]

Here is my method
Wash with dishwashing soap, with a cotton ball.  I also move perpendicular to the tracks.
Rinse with tap water
Final rinse with filtered water (so as to not leave any deposits on your CD, especially if you have hard water)
Dry by patting with paper towel, not rubbing the towel on the CD.

Randy

[Dan Banquer]

I use Windex, from what the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" says it will get rid of gout also. Nothing like a multi purpose cleaner.
                       d.b.

[DVV]

Here is my method
Wash with dishwashing soap, with a cotton ball.  I also move perpendicular to the tracks.
Rinse with tap water
Final rinse with filtered water (so as to not leave any deposits on your CD, especially if you have hard water)
Dry by patting with paper towel, not rubbing the towel on the CD.

Randy

Improves tracking, this perpendicular movement, eh, Randy? Less skid on the inner groove?

But seriously, I'm glad to note people are taking care of their music collections. All too often, we talk of technology, new this, new that, but hardly ever on taking care of our software carriers.

Cheers,
DVV

[DVV]

I use Windex, from what the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" says it will get rid of gout also. Nothing like a multi purpose cleaner.
                       d.b.

Come on Dan, don't skimp on the WHOLE story.

After doing that, you measure the LRC components, right? Next, you calculate the transconductance of the outer groove, to make sure the slew rate is OK. Following that, you compare notes on distortion before and after.

Admit it; it won't get you forgiveness, but it'll make you feel better.

Not that I'm any better ....

Cheers,
DVV

[Dan Banquer]

"After doing that, you measure the LRC components, right? Next, you calculate the transconductance of the outer groove, to make sure the slew rate is OK. Following that, you compare notes on distortion before and after."

Yep: That's what everyone should do for optical media
               d.b.

[randytsuch]

Improves tracking, this perpendicular movement, eh, Randy? Less skid on the inner groove?

Cheers,
DVV

There is a reason for that, if I scratch the disk, I do not want the scratch to be parallel to the tracks.

Randy

[Gordy]

Hi All,

Has anyone tried the microfiber dusting cloths or lens cleaners?  They are very soft and absorbent, totally lint free and reusable/washable.  I've been using them for some time now and love 'em!

Gordy

[DVV]

Hi All,

Has anyone tried the microfiber dusting cloths or lens cleaners?  They are very soft and absorbent, totally lint free and reusable/washable.  I've been using them for some time now and love 'em!

Gordy

I did. After cleaning up, I put the CD on a strong light and discovered it was full of microfiber scratches. And I used a Vileda cloth, they invented the microfiber cloth, figuring they were the safest buy.

Cheers,
DVV

[DVV]

Yep: That's what everyone should do for optical media
               d.b.

And your famous CD potability test - the one where you pensively hold the CD in one hand, while doing analog testing of a glass of John Adams brew in your other hand. If the brew is good, there will be less distortion, right?

But seriously, a question for all - how long have you been washing and/or cleaning your CDs?

I ask because if something works for a long time, then your experience is improved, and chances are you may have come up against and odd trick or two.

For example, I find that washing silver discs provides somewhat better overall results than washing those with dark data surfaces.

Cheers,
DVV

[Gordy]

Strange, your finding lint remains!  I'm not sure of the brand I'm using, but they have  certainly left the discs pristine.  I haven't used them in a full soap and water routine though, only with Optrix, perhaps there's a difference.

Gordy

[DVV]

Strange, your finding lint remains!  I'm not sure of the brand I'm using, but they have  certainly left the discs pristine.  I haven't used them in a full soap and water routine though, only with Optrix, perhaps there's a difference.

Gordy

I assume Optrix is a cleaning agent? One for viewing surfaces?

Cheers,
DVV

[Gordy]

Sorry!  Optrixs is one of the commercial CD cleansers / treatments.  I use it on new CD's to remove any remaining mold release agent, or what have you.  I'll be trying the "tough on grease" dish soap, it should be just as effective at silicon(?) removal and one heck of a lot cheaper!

Thanks, Gordy

[DVV]

Sorry!  Optrixs is one of the commercial CD cleansers / treatments.  I use it on new CD's to remove any remaining mold release agent, or what have you.  I'll be trying the "tough on grease" dish soap, it should be just as effective at silicon(?) removal and one heck of a lot cheaper!

Thanks, Gordy

Gordy, by all means try other agents, but my advice to you is to stick to liquids only. Things you can spray over the surface, let them work a minute or two, then gently rub the surface with a soft cloth or some such (make sure they are 100% natural fabric, cotton is best), and finally rinse them generously in luke warm water.

Whatever you dry them with, make sure it has no oil or grease components; paper tissue or towels are perfect examples, but by no means the only ones.

Cheers,
DVV