The "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation"


The "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation"

 

I am providing this formulation for all who are interested in the very best, and can be proven and demonstrated to be the "Very Best". It can easily be made from available ingredients. On the surface, it appears to be very simple. However, it is based on extensive complex chemistry along with precise mathematical calculations and verifiable data.

 

You may use it with absolute confidence and be truly assured that it is beyond doubt the "Very Best". You may use it for your personal needs. Or, archival entities may use it for their purposes with confidence. Or, you may choose to start an enterprise that makes and packages quantities as either a "ready-to-use" or a "Semi-concentrated" version for sale and distribution knowing that nothing better exists. You have my blessings and encouragement with one condition. And, that is, that the pricing represents a "fair margin", and, not an obscene gouging, typical for such products.

 

Initially, I had prepared a presentation that briefly introduced myself, and provided the thought processes, design parameters, and the necessary basics of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to assure you and allow you to be absolutely confident in this formulation. I made a considerable effort to keep it as simple, but, also as thorough enough to achieve this confidence. However, that presentation entailed 5,239 words, typical of such a requirement, however, unacceptable in length by this website forum.

 

I have no option other than to offer the formulation as a 100% parts by weight version suitable to produce 1 Kilogram of the cleaner, and, invite you to question me about any aspect of the formulation.

 

Professionally, I am a Chemist, more specifically a Polyurethane Chemist. I have a Doctorate in Chemistry as well as two other Doctorates and a M.B.A.. I held prominent positions in significant corporations before being encouraged to start our (wife and I) manufacturing facility servicing those I previously worked for. We started, owned, and fully operated this business. We eventually obtained 85+% Market Share in our sector in Medical, Automotive, Sporting Goods, and Footwear areas before retirement.

 

The Audio Industry is extremely technical and many brilliant minds have contributed their talents over the decades in order that we may enjoy music today as we choose. Like many other technical industries, those of lesser minds and values invade the arena with their "magical" inspired revelations and offer their "magical" ingredients and items to all at extremely high prices. They promise that if only we are willing to part with our money - they can provide these items to you that make your audio system sound as if the orchestra, or vocalist, is in your room with you. And, after all, "magical items" must be expensive, otherwise, they would not be "magical".

 

This disturbs me enormously, and, it is for such reasons, I feel compelled to provide realistic and truthful information that conforms to basic Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematical Principals in those areas with which I am very knowledgeable and familiar.

 

          "Ultimate Record Cleaner Solution"

 

   Ingredient                                          Amount by Weight (Grams)

 

Distilled Water                                     779.962

 

Ethyl Alcohol                                       220.000

 

Tergitol 15-S-7 (Dow Chemical)            0.038  (Approx. = 2 Drops)

                                                         1,000.000

 

Important and/or Relevant Criteria

 

1.)  Distilled Water ONLY. Do not use deionized, tap, rain, or spring water. Distilled Water is readily available in most grocery stores. Check labeling to be certain that it is distilled and not deionized. The pricing is comparable.

 

2.)  Ethanol must be purchased at a "Liquor Store" or a "Liquor Control Board" that is suitable for human consumption, and the appropriate taxes must be paid. This assures that the alcohol consists of only Ethyl Alcohol and water. You need to purchase the 95+% version, also known as 180+ Proof. NOTHING ELSE is acceptable. (100% Ethyl Alcohol is not available under "normal" circumstances). Denatured alcohol from a Hardware Store or elsewhere is PROHIBITED, as well as ANY other alcohols.

 

3.)  Tergitol 15-S-7 is made by Dow and is available on the internet in small quantities from Laboratory Supply Houses such as Fisher and Advance, etc.. I have no affiliations with either Dow Chemical, or Fisher, or Advance. You MUST use Tergitol 15-S-7 ONLY. No other Tergitol product is acceptable for this designed formula, and you need to acquire the undiluted form only.

 

4.)  The above cleaner formula will result in a non-foaming (VLF) Surfactant Formulation that exhibits the following:

            Surface Tension of 28.5 dynes/centimeter @ 20 C. (68.0 F.)

            Surface Tension of 28.2 dynes/centimeter @ 25 C. (77.0 F.)

 

5.). A Surface Tension of 28.5 dynes/centimeter is Remarkable and will properly clean records of all organic soilings, and all oily substances, as well as very significant amounts of inorganic soilings.  This available Surface Tension coupled with the Azeotropic Characteristics of very rapid evaporation and spotless drying occur because of the selection of Ethyl Alcohol and the very specific concentration determined as 22.00% p.b.w., further improves the products abilities.  The "Ease-of-Use" and "Spot-Free" results are to be accepted.

 

6.). Be aware that an "ideal temperature of use" also exists for this formulation.  And, that reasonable temperature is 40 C. (104.0 F.). Further increases in temperature offers no improvement, therefore, confirming the proper use of the term "ideal". I mention this not because of of any substantial improvement, but, only to be aware of its’ existence. And, if you have a choice to utilize a room that is warmer than another, select the warmer room closer to 104.0 F. There is no need to elevate the temperature of the records or the materials. Simply be aware that 104.0 F. Is ideal.

 

If interest is expressed in this submission, I am willing to provide additional submissions regarding other materials, and, other areas of interest.  Such as"Best Contact Substance", "Best lubricants for turntables", " Better Dampening Materials" for turntables and tonearms, and, most significantly, "Best" material for "Turntable Platter/Vinyl Record Interface" usually called "Record Mats". The last item will certainly disturb many individuals and anger many suppliers.

 

Whatever I may contribute is substantiated by Science and Testing, and Verifiable. Science has no Opinions. Opinions in these matters are best reserved for those who rely on their imagination and wishful thinking.

 

Also, I have no vested interests in this Industry. Simply possess some scientific knowledge that also relates to some aspects of the Audio Area, and I am willing to share that information if requested!

128x128wizzzard

Greetings to all,

@wizzzard So glad your surgery went well and you are back posting. I have had 3 back surgeries and know back pain sucks. 
Thank you and all the other good people that have contributed to this informative thread. I have enjoyed the learning experience. I look forward to using the cleaning solutions as described. Some chemicals can be restricted in being sent to me. I live in Alaska and companies are restricted in sending hazardous materials here for the general public’s usage.

A note about LAST record care products. I started using LAST 35+ years ago. Never seemed to have a problem. After read numerous articles and this forum I have almost stopped using them. The other day one of my albums got something stuck on it. My needle didn’t appreciate it. I inspected the album and it looked like a small thin film of plastic wrap? I keep my room meticulously cleaned. I cleaned the the album on my VPI RCM. It didn’t remove it. Into the US cleaner for 5 minutes. It didn’t remove it. I had nothing to lose so I put a few drops of LAST Record Preservative on the album. Waited about 30 seconds and tried to wipe it off. Didn’t get it off. Put a few more drops on the album. Waited 20 minutes and it came off. I’m glad I have my album back. 
When LAST came out my years ago they claimed that the Preservative when applied would evaporate down to 1 or 2 molecular layers. As it evaporates down it would work at lifting  any impurities that your cleaning process missed. I always thought that people who complained about getting gunk on their needles after using LAST were missing the point. That’s what it was meant to do? At least to my ears it has done no harm. 
I looked forward to input on platter mats. I have been think about the leather mat that ClearAudio sells. It would be for my CA turntable with acrylic platter. 
Wizzard please take care and a quick recovery. 
Respectfully,

Joe Nies

@mijostyn 

Have you had any success in obtaining the higher percent Ethanol from your Liquor Stores?

Also, with regard to the Larostat 264A, did you obtain any?  If not, you stated you reside in New Hampshire - how long of a drive would it be for you to get the the following three locations, and, would you be willing to drive to pick some up.  I ask this because of "The Border Situation", and, I do not wish to upset the apple cart at either the US Customs or Canada Customs.

The locations are:  Sherbrooke, Quebec.  -   Lowell, Massachusetts.  -   and, Lewiston, Maine.  I am thinking of calling those that I know that use this Larostat and ask them if you could pick some up.  There would be no charges of course, I just need to know if one is close and I can phone and see if I can make some arrangement for you.  My other option would be to send you some when we are in Western New York, and I can send some to you from there.  We may very likely be going in late November if that becomes the case.  Another option is to see if I can have BASF shif you some from Michigan.  It has been some time since I dealt with BASF in the US, but, they "should" be able to speak with someone and get "some" attention after I remind them that we did buy over 4 million dollars worth of polyether (Pluracols) from them.  It depends upon a number of things and hit certainly is worth a try.

I hope you understand that I do not want to risk having Customs intercept a parcel to you without all the required.  Now, I can supply all the necessary paper work, but, for me, I am legally obligated to do an extensive amount of filing and submissions for something that is essentially worth almost nothing, perhaps a dollar, and is perfectly safe to ship.

I hope you understand.  That is why I thought of the other alternatives.  So that you know my contact here in Canada also can not send you the sample directly.  He need to contact the US, and, he thought that I would have more luck than he would.  And, in all these cases, there would be no charges, because that would only open another, but different, can of worms.

Wizzzard

@mijostyn @lewm @cleeds @bdp24 

I am requesting some advice.  As I stated at the onset I would like to share the knowledge that I have in certain areas in which I am qualified.  I had stated record mats, lubricants, dampening fluids, contact agents for any electrical contacts, etc.  I have also been receiving "private messages" from those who have their reasons for not exposing themselves to certain individuals that contribute to this forum.  As you well know, I can certainly relate to that.  Rather than repeating myself, I would like this to be known on one sight.  Having a forum that starts by revealing a record cleaning formulation, is not conducive to attract attention to other areas.

I am sending this post to you because you all have "been around" and have extensive experience and are very capable of supplying me some appropriate titles.  So I am asking you this favor.  I know there are others that are as capable, and, I hope I had not offended anyone by ignoring them.

I do have a sense of humor, so if you have some sarcastic suggestions, please feel free to include them as a joke if you wish.  "Mister Know-It-All-Speaks" immediately came to mind as I was writing this.

I sincerely appreciate your input.  I have already received some suggestions privately, but, I thought it best to open up this question to those that have already been publicly involved.

Thank you for any and all suggestions in advance.  You should know the nickname "Wizard" and "Wiz" well given to me by the C.E.O. of the first company I worked for, and, it has stuck with many others ever since.  So, this name was given to me.

@wizzzard 

I am not far from Lowell at all. I can drive there or you can send me some. I am perfectly happy to pay for it. 

Did you get your Sonic Pro yet??

"Wizzzard Banter."  Here is your first question. What do you think a tonearm wand should be made of?

Dear Wizzzard, You might start by taking a look at the topics of long-lasting threads here on the Audiogon Analog forum.  You probably would note that the same or very similar issues arise over and over again.  For some topics there is seemingly an insatiable appetite for commentary or for making comments.  Any of those is a good bet.