Change in "day-to-day" cleaning fluid recipe.

twitch54 · « **on:** 31 Mar 2008, 09:52 pm »

For the past couple of years I've used plain old grocery store bought distilled water mixed with VPI's concentrated cleaning agent. I've noticed some inconsistencies in my last 'batch', so not knowing if it was the water or the VPI concentrate I'm trying the following change.........for water I've swithched to 'Reagent Grade water' along with L'Art du Son concentrate.

Has anyone else tried either or ?? if satisfied I'll add to the 'Cleaning procedure' post.

Wayner · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Mar 2008, 10:36 pm »

I say save your money. I have used 99% isopropyl alcohol mixed with distilled water in a 4:1 ratio (water 75%) and my records are super clean, slippery and noise free. There is zero buildup. For all of you that think that mild amounts of alcohol damage records, it just aint so. 40+ years of proof is good for me.

Wayner

andyr · « **Reply #2 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 11:27 am »

Quote from: Wayner on 31 Mar 2008, 10:36 pm

I say save your money. I have used 99% isopropyl alcohol mixed with distilled water in a 4:1 ratio (water 75%) and my records are super clean, slippery and noise free. There is zero buildup. For all of you that think that mild amounts of alcohol damage records, it just aint so. 40+ years of proof is good for me.

Wayner

Wayner,

A 4:1 ratio is 80%:20%.

If water is 75% then you have a 3:1 ratio (75%:25%).

I myself use a 2:1 ratio of alcohol (2/3rds) to water (1/3rd). Though I'm undecided as to whether it should be isopropyl alcohol or ethanol.

Regards,

Andy

Wayner · « **Reply #3 on:** 4 Apr 2008, 11:42 am »

Thanks Andy!

Wayner

twitch54 · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Apr 2008, 01:59 pm »

While I agree, to a point, with Wayner's saving of money, the only part of the mix I'm now using that's is relatively exspensive is the L'Art du Son concentrate. But given the fact that a gallon will last me probably a couple of years, it's cost is rather minor.

FWIW, so far, I'm more than pleased with the results.

blakep · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Apr 2008, 02:44 am »

Here's a simple test for you. Take a couple of records you are really familiar with that you have cleaned before and simply do two passes of the reagent grade water on it and play it again. My guess is that you will be very pleasantly surprised. I would not even involve the Art in this little experiment.

I think a decent surfactant based cleaner is the ideal first step but high quality water, in my experience as well as a few others, can make a pretty dramatic difference in cleaning records and need not be expensive.

Personally, I think that 1) it is no coincidence that the record cleaning fluids really getting the raves right now all use ultrapure water as their final stage and 2) DIY is false economy in terms of getting records really clean. Really, we're talking about 15 cents a record to clean one with very high quality cleaning/rinsing agents as opposed to fooling around with DIY. How much money is one really saving?

Wayner · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Apr 2008, 02:52 am »

Well, my fluid costs about 5 bucks and lasts for about a year and a half. Zero shipping costs, though I do have to pay stupid sales tax.

Wayner

blakep · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Apr 2008, 03:55 am »

Well I guess what I really should have written is: how much are you saving and what kind of results are you getting? Having used both diluted lab grade isopropyl and commercial fluids using alcohol in the past to clean records, I can say that what I currently use, which would cost about 15 cents a record if purchased commercially is far more effective in my experience.

If you're happy, though, there's obviously no reason to change if it's working for you.

Wayner · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Apr 2008, 11:51 am »

I think that's my point, too. I'm very happy with the results. The record surfaces are actually slippery (you can sure tell when they aren't clean) and they are noise free. I'm not going to say that other solutions are not an equal, or superior either. I think it's good that people are cleaning their LPs and recognized that at least this does need to be done. I also think that when you buy a new or used LP, it needs to be really cleaned. I go back to the simple method that I've used for 40 years washing my newly acquired LPs in the sink with mild dishwashing detergent, a paint brush and warm water. Rinsing is very important here, but I do use tap water for this (our town tap water has been run through the city water softener), to remove any soap residue. Then when ever I play an LP, I lightly spray my Discwasher brush and do a wipe on the record surface with the dampened bristles to pick up lint and help to continue the cleaning process. After a few plays, the surface becomes very slippery and the audible results confirm a nice clean groove.

Oh, I have the day off. Time to start spinning!

Wayner

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Apr 2008, 11:55 am »

Quote from: andyr on 4 Apr 2008, 11:27 am

Quote from: Wayner on 31 Mar 2008, 10:36 pm
I say save your money. I have used 99% isopropyl alcohol mixed with distilled water in a 4:1 ratio (water 75%) and my records are super clean, slippery and noise free. There is zero buildup. For all of you that think that mild amounts of alcohol damage records, it just aint so. 40+ years of proof is good for me.

Wayner

Wayner,

A 4:1 ratio is 80%:20%.

If water is 75% then you have a 3:1 ratio (75%:25%).

I myself use a 2:1 ratio of alcohol (2/3rds) to water (1/3rd). Though I'm undecided as to whether it should be isopropyl alcohol or ethanol.

Regards,

Andy

There's one in every crowd. Now how much Vermouth do I add?

andyr · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Apr 2008, 12:22 pm »

Quote from: Big Red Machine on 11 Apr 2008, 11:55 am

[
There's one in every crowd. Now how much Vermouth do I add?

As long as you shake the result and don't stir it ... as much as you like!

Regards,

Andy

andyr · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Apr 2008, 12:27 pm »

Quote from: twitch54 on 31 Mar 2008, 09:52 pm

........for water I've swithched to 'Reagent Grade water' along with L'Art du Son concentrate.

Has anyone else tried either or ?? if satisfied I'll add to the 'Cleaning procedure' post.

Yes, as a result of a couple of terrific posts on AudioGon by "Justin Time", who explains the various methods of treating water - and their resulting "purity" - I switched from "Water for Irrigation", bought from my local chemist, to "Reagent grade water" from a chem lab supplier.

Regards,

Andy

twitch54 · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Apr 2008, 01:10 pm »

Quote from: Wayner on 11 Apr 2008, 02:52 am

Well, my fluid costs about 5 bucks and lasts for about a year and a half. Zero shipping costs, though I do have to pay stupid sales tax.

Wayner

Wayner, five bucks of distilled water should last one a lifetime !! LOL !

The Reagent Grade water, while not exspensive, can be exspensive to ship. The supplier I bought from happens to be in route with my snowmobiling trips so it saves on the shipping !

Wayner · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Apr 2008, 04:19 pm »

Oops, the 5 bucks is for the 99% Isopropyl alcohol, my bad. I wasn't really even counting the water. Your right on that regard!

Just picked up Pat Matheny Groups' "Offramp" which right now is a little different than his other ones. I got it for $4 and it is in mint condition. Haven't heard a tic on side 1 (almost done) yet!

Happy spinning! aa

Wayner