[low.pfile]

Hello
I've read the Cleaning Secrets Thread along with other writings online, including Zen and the Art of Record Cleaning Made Difficult and I am more thouroghly confused.

I want to make sure I properly clean my used albums so that a) they sound great b) I don't muck up my new Audio Technica cart. I want just a few steps. And no materials that cost more than the cost of my total record collection ; )

Context: First time TT owner (KAB SL1210), very modest vinyl collection 30? - half are used

My plan for dirty vinyl only:

  Dry sweep brush #1> hand wet pre-wash > machine wet wash/vac > Dry sweep (differnt brush than #1) 

1. Dry sweep with a basic carbon fiber brush (Brush-1)  [[Yet to purchase]]
2. Wet wash with MOBILE FIDELITY RECORD BRUSH link < this brush has replaceable cleaning pads with Mobile Fidelity Super Deep Cleaner liquid [[Yet to purchase]]
3. KAB-EV1 manual record cleaner machine w/vac [ordered], using MOBILE FIDELITY SUPER RECORD WASH liquid [[Yet to purchase]]
4. Goldring Exstatic Deluxe Carbon Fiber / Felt Brush- Same as Hunt EDA [on order]

Question: Is there anything missing in this process? For now I want off the shelf materials. the mad scientist stuff can come later. I need to order the missing liquids and brush now. The TT is due in 1-2 weeks!! Thanks.

enjoy your music ~ed

[Clay W]

Your steps three and four will do the trick for the records.  If your steps one and two make you feel better about the effort you're putting forth, then go ahead with them, but they're overkill on anything except records so grungy that you shouldn't have bought them at any price.  Some used stuff is just beyond repair.

[woodsyi]

Question: Is there anything missing in this process? For now I want off the shelf materials. the mad scientist stuff can come later. I need to order the missing liquids and brush now. The TT is due in 1-2 weeks!! Thanks.

enjoy your music ~ed

Yes,

You may want to get more than 30 LPs unless you want to brush and stroke the 30 over and over.   

BTW, what you got is just fine but you may want to order some new inner sleeves while you are at it for the cleaned records.

[low.pfile]

Your steps three and four will do the trick for the records.  If your steps one and two make you feel better about the effort you're putting forth, then go ahead with them, but they're overkill on anything except records so grungy that you shouldn't have bought them at any price.  Some used stuff is just beyond repair.

yeah that process plan I described is only the process for the grungy ones. Though I really don't know what grungy is. I doubt if any of mine are grungy. I really have to go through the process of playing used vinyl to understand what is acceptable condition. I am guessing at this point with my visual inspections. shiny black with clean grooves,  without scratches is my main criteria. I won't buy crap no matter how cheap. thanks for the reply

~ed

[low.pfile]

Question: Is there anything missing in this process? For now I want off the shelf materials. the mad scientist stuff can come later. I need to order the missing liquids and brush now. The TT is due in 1-2 weeks!! Thanks.

enjoy your music ~ed

Yes,

You may want to get more than 30 LPs unless you want to brush and stroke the 30 over and over.   

BTW, what you got is just fine but you may want to order some new inner sleeves while you are at it for the cleaned records.

yes I plan on getting some new sleeves too. OK I'll shoot for 40 albums by the end of the year! ; )

[woodsyi]

If you don't have a lot of LPs at the moment, it may be a perfect time to pick up somene's collection at less then 50 cents an LP.  If you peruse Craig's list or newspaper classified, there will be people getting rid of their collections.  You just have to stay patient enough for the right type of collection to come up and then go for the whole collection.  Also, let all your friends and relatives know that you are really into vinyl.  I got some great oldies this way for free.  OK, you may have to treat them for dinner and wine.

Good luck.

For example, look at this listing. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/emd/425020304.html If you can salvage 100 out of the 3000, that's $3 a record.  I would go for it except my wife put a moratorium on my record collection and I mostly look for classical/opera and jazz records.

[Wayner]

I wouldn't put any brush on my vinyl "dry". I think the carbon fiber brushes are worthless...I have one and I wish I had the $20 insted. Dry brushing is a source for annoying static and frankly doesn't clean worth a hoot. I've been using a Discwasher brush for many, many years, lightly misting the bristles with a H20/alcohol solution, 75/25 to help reduce static and lift the lint and dust. This method works great. All of my vinyl is noise free and nice and shiny as well as slippery. Good that your think about all of this cleaning stuff though!  aa

By the way, I wash my used records I buy in the laundry sink with dishwashing detergent and a horse hair brush. rinse with clean tap water and use old Cannon hand towels to dry them off. They usually come out very nice.

You also have to be picky when buying used vinyl.

W

[sjg]

Hey there, I am unfamiliar with MOFI cleaning products but a spray bottle filled with distilled water could help on either end of the cleaning process as part of a pre wash and as part of a final rinse.

With really dirty records(some of what you get on Craigslist and at the thrifts), I start out with a wash under tap water so that I don't push any debris into the vinyl and I don't want to contaminate my Disc Doctor brushes that I use.  For this pre-wash step, natural sponges will do the trick.  I get mine at Trader Joes.  For the pre-wash I use a gentle enzymatic cleaner in order to get rid of any mold or grime.  There are enzymatic cleaners designed for vinyl but I use an off the shelf product available at Whole Foods:  BioKleen. It is gentle and rinses off completely. 

Here is a link to my cleaning process in detail.  I am now also using Disc Doctor fluids and brushes for 78s and for some vinyl (anything of value or older discs)

http://www.stephsrecordsale.com/cleaning.html

Carbon fiber brushes are great -- I prefer them to the Hunt brush for a quick preplay sweep.  I have both, see which one you like best. 

[twitch54]

Your steps three and four will do the trick for the records.  If your steps one and two make you feel better about the effort you're putting forth, then go ahead with them, but they're overkill on anything except records so grungy that you shouldn't have bought them

Actually, Step TWO is VERY important, especially on NEW records for it is the most effective way to get 'up' the mold release, and other nasties from the pressing process. Remember it's the deep cleaning that will in the long run offer you the best sonic results, and besides your collection is small so going forward with your procedure will be easy !!

[low.pfile]

Thank you all for the feedback! I posted this mainly to see if I was missing any of the tools. I imagine the steps will be modified accordingly and once I figure out the the heck I am doing.

enjoy your music ~ed