[drphoto]

Ok, this may seem like a stupid post, but I've gotten some feedback that a number of fellow vinyl newbs (or wannabes) have been following my adventures, so I thought I'd comment on my new (to me) vac system.

Ok, as most of you know, my last vinyl adventures were 30+ years ago. Back then, record cleaning meant the Discwasher, that wood handle, velvet covered thing w/ a bottle of fluid. Well, we all know how that well that worked. "Rice Krispies" (snap, crackle and pop) were the result. When the little silver disk came along, we all thought Hallaluha!

Well, I finally got my vac system set up. It is an old Disc Doctor unit I got from Sonny. I replaced the velvet pads and got some fluid from the needledoctor.

Now this a manual unit, it has a puck that fits over the spindle that you turn by hand. This is not the best unit for the scrubbing part. The puck thing doesn't really grip the disk very well. But one can make it work. The vac portion however,  really does it's job.

Wow does it work!  While I've noticed that w/ a much better rig than I owned all those years ago, surface noise seemed to be pushed to the background, now.... there is virtually no noise at all. I mean it's as quiet as a CD (for the most part....there's still an occasional 'click', but were talking used records here)

So for you fellow newbs, there are some new options for cleaning that make a huge difference, especially if you have bad memories from the old days. And they don't have to be expensive. I think that Spin Clean looks solid, even though it's not a vac unit, and then there's the entry level KAB unit.

I may mess around w/ steam, as I have a portable clothing steamer. Will post if it makes a difference.

[Letitroll98]

Glad you like your NG/RD machine, I have one too.  Here's a fabulous mod for very cheap, get new bearings from KAB for the spindle.  They call it the KAB GLIDING PLATTER, $15, and you can turn your records with a finger even with the vacuum on.  You'll find the knob grips just fine with new and improved bearings. 

I would also advise experimenting with various cleaning fluids, the real meat of VCM's effectiveness.  You have a good one to start with there, but you might find a reasonably priced three step process like Audio Intelligent Solutions does a bit better job on tougher records.  There's no right answer here, just what works for ya.  Enjoy.

[wywires]

Guys...Get the VPI 16.5. Does a fab job, easy to use and your grandchildren will enjoy it too. Built to last 10 lifetimes. I've had mine for 15 years and it shows no signs of wear at all.

[Sonny]

Joe, glad the old disc doctor works for you.  The puck grips find, just don't put too much pressure on it.  the bearing (plate) the record sits on is better than the stock, make sure it's centered... it could have moved during shipping.

I also found that since the disc doctor is not good for scrubbing you can put the LP on a towel, over a flat surface, scrub then put it on to vacuum it out!

Be careful with steam...it can warp the LP...it's hot no???
tuan

[Sonny]

Guys...Get the VPI 16.5. Does a fab job, easy to use and your grandchildren will enjoy it too. Built to last 10 lifetimes. I've had mine for 15 years and it shows no signs of wear at all.

Yep, I upgraded to a used VPI 16.5 as well...
 

[95Dyna]

Guys...Get the VPI 16.5. Does a fab job, easy to use and your grandchildren will enjoy it too. Built to last 10 lifetimes. I've had mine for 15 years and it shows no signs of wear at all.

+1

[woodsyi]

I got a used 16.5 with a cosmetic dent (shipping) and extra wand for a great price if anybody is interested.  It's about 3 years old and working just fine.  I upgraded to a Typhoon.  I still squirt cleaner with a bottle and use the dispenser on Typhoon to hold distilled water for rinsing cycle. 

[Stu Pitt]

Be careful with steam...it can warp the LP...it's hot no???
tuan

That was a concern of mine before I started.  Haven't warped an album yet, and haven't had any other issues either.  I've never heard of anyone on any forum ruining anything.   

The difference is pretty dramatic.   Steamers are cheap enough to try it IMO.   

Addendum - I don't have any shellac albums, just vinyl.  I'd be a bit apprehensive about those. 

[TONEPUB]

Just grab a 16.5 and call it a day.  The posts here about cleaning solutions are all excellent.  While there are arguments about which one is "best" there are a number of good ones and once you get into a routine, consistency is king.

I'd also suggest if you get a 16.5, get a spare wand so that you can do a second rinse/clean with very pure water.  That has been the biggest improvement I've noticed in cleaning, it gets the last bit of crud out of the grooves as well as any residual fluid left behind.

[rklein]

Hi woodsyi:

What would ask for your VPI 16.5?  I am in the middle of purchasing other gear but might be able to swing it if your price isn't too much.   I tried to PM you but your mailbox is full.  Just PM me with a price.

Thanks,

Randy

[drphoto]

I can snag 'sterile water for irrigation' from the pharmacy. That should be clean enough for rinsing a record!

I discovered a local independent record dealer here in town yesterday. Everything I looked at appeared pristine. Then I noticed he had a VPI 16.5!

Looks may be deceiving however. The copy of Genesis "Trick....", though appearing clean is noisy as hell. Using my machine didn't help either.

However the other 3 disk I bought from this guy (for $5/ea) are superb. The copy of the 'Dan's "Can't Buy a Thrill" would probably fetch over $100 on some of those online sites. Dead quiet, and the sound just explodes out of the speakers. I've never heard my rig sound better!

[Wayner]

The Genesis LP may have had pressing problem in that the press was too set too hot and actually bubbled the vinyl. This is non-repairable damage. I had a Genesis LP with the same problem, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, which I eventually threw away.

Wayner

[MaxCast]

Do you have to clean a record every time you play it?

[TheChairGuy]

Do you have to clean a record every time you play it?

Nope, MaxieRich...the benefits of cleaning can be heard for perhaps hundreds of hours of playback afterward.

Yes, dust, soot, bacteria may settle in to the grooves again after a time....but, the sticky grunge in the grooves that was probably there from the original pressing is removed, and that seems to be among the most beneficial things to rid the record of.  Once that's gone - it's gone for perpetuity.

I've tried all manner of hand cleaners on my records....and nothing ever bettered a record cleaning machine.  Reduction or destruction of static cling is something I have had no success with hand cleaners...but it's just wiped out using wet chemicals and an RCM.

John

[PMAT]

it's gone for perpetuity Oh my, for perpetuity? That gave me little vinyl goosebumps. I have been blowing the dust off my records with my lips. "Perpetuity" gives me leverage to get a cleaner past my wife. John, you're the best.

[vinyl_guy]

I still squirt cleaner with a bottle and use the dispenser on Typhoon to hold distilled water for rinsing cycle.

That is what I do with my VPI 17. I use Disc Doctor fluid and brushes for scrubbing and use the dispenser for rinsing with RO dionized water I buy from Culligan in 5 gal containers. I have extra wands and use a spray bottle of dionized water and a rinse only DD brush for a second rinse. If I have a really dirty used record I will use the AI 3 step process. I don't have the patience to use it on every record and the DD fluid does an excellent job. The LAST fluids do a good job too, but are more expensive. I do not care for the VPI fluid.

[TheChairGuy]

it's gone for perpetuity Oh my, for perpetuity? That gave me little vinyl goosebumps. I have been blowing the dust off my records with my lips. "Perpetuity" gives me leverage to get a cleaner past my wife. John, you're the best.

Hey PMAT - long time no hear

It's the stuff you don't see in the grooves (unless you're used to looking thru high powered optics as a rule ) that you get rid or with a wet clean on an RCM.

It's a pretty good leap in sonics if you've not tried one before.  Experimenting with the chemicals gets it relatively better or worse from one another...but just the leap to some chemicals to clean your records on the RCM the first time is where most of the benefits lie

It's just one of those shitty, tweeky things about vinyl that helps it a a lot...but, fortunately one cleaning in a lifetime for each record is usually good enough for folks.

I've done a couple experiments with cleaning...cleaned well initially, played back for dozens of hours and cleaned again.  At least in my limited tests - I didn't hear benefit of cleaning again.  But, the original cleaning is often quite illuminating to one's enjoyment of vinyl.

John

[pumpkinman]

I met a guy (we've since became fast friends) at the local record shop and we were talking about LP's
when he asked "do you clean your records" and I promptly replied Yes. He then asked do you vacuum
your records. I had a mental picture of a lp on the carpet with the Hoover going back and forth over
it. Bill helped me to build a DIY record cleaner which consisted of a broken TT, a small shop vac and a pedal
from a old sewing machine. We used a hockey puck, brass bushing and a wooden handle has a hold device
I purchased a Nitty Gritty record brush and made some home brew solution.  I was in buisness  !! The
difference was remarkable. Since that time I aquired a VPI 16.5 and I do not play a record without cleaning it
Pumpkins need clean vinyl...............Bill

[woodsyi]

That is what I do with my VPI 17. I use Disc Doctor fluid and brushes for scrubbing and use the dispenser for rinsing with RO dionized water I buy from Culligan in 5 gal containers. I have extra wands and use a spray bottle of dionized water and a rinse only DD brush for a second rinse. If I have a really dirty used record I will use the AI 3 step process. I don't have the patience to use it on every record and the DD fluid does an excellent job. The LAST fluids do a good job too, but are more expensive. I do not care for the VPI fluid.

Hello Laura,

I do the wand switching when I am really in the assiduous mood for cleanliness.  Most of the time I just rinse with the brush on the dispenser and use the same wand to suck up the water.     I don't like VPI cleaning fluid either. 

[Rob S.]

Woodysi and vinyl lady:  I'm also not really liking the VPI solution, it barely touches any smudges, fingerprints and other crud.....   Been using a homebrew solution which is better (3parts distilled h20, 1 part isopropyl alcohol, few drops photo flo).....   I still need to do more scrubbing for the hardened crud on used records.    I follow up this first step with a distilled h20 rinse wiped around the record with the disc doctor brush,   then I vacuum off the water with a clean arm (used for rinse only)

What do you like for the 1st step of dirty record cleaning?.   I'd love to spend less time scrubbing.

Rob S.