Stylast compatibility ZYX cartridges

I've never seen liquid wick its way up a drinking straw. I wonder how this occurs with a hollow cantilever shaft? If we are talking about a flat roof, I'll buy into capillary action, but not with a hollow tube.

I have used liquid stylus cleaners for nearly 30 years and have never had any problem. I'd say that the cartridge manufacturer is most likely concerned that there will be premature mechanical failure due to improper Stylast application and that they are using the capillary action statement as an excuse to address their warranty concerns. From a manufacturers standpoint, I'd want as many end users as possible away from the stylus tip. Denying warranty if cleaners are used reduces the likelyhood of early shaft breakage for those that may not know how to properly clean their stylus tip, break the shaft, and then try to make their mishap a warranty issue. How do you come across looking like a good guy if you deny a claim, even if you know it is a scam?

You can destroy a cartridge if you aren't applying the Stylast properly. It sounds like you haven't had any problems in the past ...

You don't "buy into" capillary action in a tube? What do you think a capillary is? Hint: check the circulatory system chapter in any anatomy textbook. The distance a liquid can travel due to capillary action is a function of its viscosity, the diameter of the capillary, molecular pressure and gravity. The drinking straw example is absurdly different from the cantilever of a MC cartridge.

I'd take ZYX's advice at face value. They don't say, "never clean your stylus". They say, "don't clean your stylus with liquid cleaners." That leaves the Zerodust, ExtremePhono and Twl's matchbook striker as viable, warranty-safe options.

As far as Stylast goes, if your technique is good enough to ensure it dampens ONLY the stylus and NEVER the cantilever, why not? Otherwise, proceed at your own risk.

So what is the viscosity of Stylast? What is the specific gravity? What is the molecular pressure? Can you prove that capillary action is indeed taking place or to what effect?

By the way, the match striker idea was around in the 1960's and is not a new idea by any means.

I, too, have used Stylast and other liquid cleaners for many years (at least 25) without a problem. Every time I read one of these warnings I stop for a while, but always return. My current cart (Grado Reference) has had at least 4 years of heavy use duing which i've gone through at least 3 botles of Stylast. But as they say, YMMV.

I have a Lyra helikon. I use Record Research #9. When I apply it, and get a little careless...you can see it moving up the cantilever. Darkens it slightly as it moves. Fortunately, it seems to evaporate quickly and never really goes inside the coil area (I hope).

I'll have to respectively disagree with jes45.