Mechans: It definitely doesn't add "considerable weight." Teflon tape is extremely thin and light. I s'pose I could tear off a length similar to what I wrapped and weigh it on my food scale, but I'll bet it's no more than a couple of grams. When I put it on I barely had to re-adjust the downforce and the sonic changes were all related to quelling resonances, not changing the arm/cartridge relationship.
As to ultrasonic cleaning, I first saw that in 1972 when I went to an audio engineer's house. He had a full quadraphonic setup with four EV bookshelf speakers. He had an ultrasonic cleaner for tableware, made to handle large dinner plates, so LPs fit right in. He'd fill it with distilled water and turn it on. When he lowered the record into it you could see the ultrasonic waves dislodging gunk from the record. I have no idea what that would have cost in 1972, esp. when adjusted for inflation, and when I search for ultrasonic cleaners today I never find one in that form factor.
As to ultrasonic cleaning, I first saw that in 1972 when I went to an audio engineer's house. He had a full quadraphonic setup with four EV bookshelf speakers. He had an ultrasonic cleaner for tableware, made to handle large dinner plates, so LPs fit right in. He'd fill it with distilled water and turn it on. When he lowered the record into it you could see the ultrasonic waves dislodging gunk from the record. I have no idea what that would have cost in 1972, esp. when adjusted for inflation, and when I search for ultrasonic cleaners today I never find one in that form factor.