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Rushton's DIY approach to ultrasonic record cleaning published by Positive Feedback

Over the past several months I’ve invested a fair amount of time exploring ultrasonic cleaning because I’ve fallen way too far behind in my record cleaning. With over 6000 LPs, I needed a faster way to clean than my trusted multi-step manual wet/vac cleaning process. That manual process got the best results I’ve ever found, but I was not keeping up with my collection and it is just painful to me to play a record that I’ve not cleaned.

In exploring ultrasonic cleaning, my hope was to find that I could complete multiple LPs in a single US cleaning cycle and greatly speed up my rate of cleaning records. My goals were to FIRST do no harm and then SECOND see how close I could get to the results of my manual cleaning regimen.

My past experiences with ultrasonic cleaning demonstrations were completely underwhelming. What I heard did not approach the excellence I was achieving with my multi-step wet/vac cleaning regimen.

What I’ve learned, and now apply in my new ultrasonic cleaning regimen, are multiple elements to the cleaning process that must be used in combination to achieve the best possible results. And these results have far exceeded my expectations.

I’d thought of posting here on Audiogon the summary of what I’ve learned and am now applying as my new record cleaning regimen, but the inability to post images and to apply formatting here caused me to send my summary to David Robinson at Positive Feedback who has graciously published my comments as a guest essay. Please read that essay, and then come back here to Audiogon with comments and to share your experiences:

http://positive-feedback.com/audio-discourse/rushton-paul-diy-approach-ultrasonic-cleaning-lps/


I look forward to some further discussion and sharing of experiences.

.


128x128rushton
bcowen
68 posts
 
@rushton

Glad I could contribute just a fraction of a percent to your body of work. :) 

@terry9

Thanks for that info.  1 and 2 were an unknown to me, so appreciate the information.  I'm a bit leery with the 50c temperature.  Seems a bit on the high side?  I'm assuming you've run at that temp without damage or warping?  I'm running 15 minute cycles myself...10 minutes didn't work as well, which I chalked up to a less powerful machine on my end than what Rushton is using.  I haven't noticed any ill effects from that length of time, and it seems to do the best job of cleaning with my tank.  Agreed for sure on the rinsing, although I'm using distilled for a first rinse/vacuum, followed by a pure water ** and 5% ethanol second rinse/vacuum, and finally a straight pure water rinse/vacuum.  Probably a bit on the overkill side, but I tend to be anal about a lot of things. :)

**The "pure" water I get from one of my suppliers at work for $6 a gallon....it's deionized water that's UV sterilized and filtered at .05 microns.  Not quite reagent grade, but close enough for me. 
terry9
2,353 posts
 
re: 50 C

Yes, BC, it's a bit disconcerting to see two fine records warp by .25 inches, but it's temporary. After 15 minutes, the records come out nice and straight - at least that's been my usual experience.
terry9
2,353 posts
 
Further to your concern BC, I sampled 6 records done at low temperature  (<30C) and 6 at 50C. In three cases in each group, there was a small dishing effect, of about .01 to .02 inches. Since the two samples seemed similar, I find no evidence of warping.
rushton's avatar
rushton OP
2,445 posts
 
terry9, how did you come to choose 50 degrees Celsius as you optimum temperature range?

I have to admit being concerned going beyond 36 degrees and generally clean in the 31-35 degree range with good results. I've never attempted to compare results at 50 degrees, but I gather you must believe you are getting better results than with a lower temperature.

dgarretson
2,600 posts
 
Hello Terry & Rushton, I have used both the Chinese and Elmasonic models and find the Elmasonic a step up in effectiveness. At temps above 48-49C I have warped records. Some LPs return to shape as they cool and others require flattening. The digital temp gauges on these unit are not always accurate, and should be confirmed with a quick-read thermometer. Also, independent of the heater the ultrasonic action will naturally raise the bath temperature as it works-- sometimes rather quickly. I begin cleaning at 35C and give the system a rest when it reaches 48C. At some point I’m going to add cooling fins to my DIY filter circuit to keep temps linear at a safe level.
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