Best way to clean vinyl ???

Check out the NOV/DEC issue of Listener Mag. There is an article that covers your first question in great detail, collating eighteen reponses from thier contributing reviewers. The mag is down to earth and keeps the hobby fun! Highly recommended!

heres' another wote for washing w/soap-n-water. this, in combination w/a watts dust-bug, recently replaced w/a keith monks record-sweeper, has always worked yust fine for me. doug

get a cheap nitty gritty, a manual model. I am simply reporting results here: records I have washed WELL with soap and water, from thrift stores and the like, still remained unplayable. A good soaking and vacuuming, and problem solved. There is no substitute for a nice wet vacuum wash. none. period. This is what archivists use, don't tamper with a known formula. pcanis

I have found some success with the Orbitrac II unit. Available from Needledoctor. com, Acousticsounds.com and/or elusivedisc.com. Cost is $35.00 plus shipping. I agree with all above on the NittyGritty/VPI, but much more expensive. When they come on Ebay they sell used for 3/4 original MSRP.

An ultrasonic cleaner will blow off any sh*t (VPI, Nitty Gritty, Keith Monk,...) out there! The "bristles" that come with those sh*ts are wider than most record grooves. You essentially rely on the cleaning solution. Check out any industrial supplier and look for "ultrasonic parts cleaner".