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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.

.


rushton
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,394 posts
 
The pump & filter part of this whole equation is that something I am working thru right now. I just ordered a 1micron filter and housing from allfilters.com and am close to pulling the trigger on a "PonicsPump PP40006: 400 GPH Submersible Pump with 6' Cord - 25W… for Hydroponics, Aquaponics, Fountains, Ponds, Statuary, Aquariums & more." The idea of building a pump housing didn't appeal to me and the the suggested pump is no longer available at surpluscenter.com. I am trying to get a good answer regarding pumping power to get thru the 1micron filter and the allfilters lady thought I picked a winner with the one. If I order the pump, it will be via amazon so I can easily exchange for a more powerful one if need be. It should be easy to run the submersed pump in the tank between cleaning sessions with the filter/housing the only component that would need to be outside the tank.
Thoughts on this approach? Cheers,
Spencer  
rushton's avatar
rushton OP
2,445 posts
 
@sbank  - here's an option for a pump from Amazon that several people have reported good success with. Nice thing is that is it fully self-contained and already has 3/8" tubing barbs.

https://www.amazon.com/attwood-6126-7-Attwood-Potable-Water/dp/B0002F66WY/


nkonor
635 posts
 
Rushton 

Have been reading this thread and appreciate your efforts and others who have contributed.
Bought an AD in January after using Dave Burton's ; "Record Genie" service. My VPI 16.5 still works as good as when my wife bought it as a Christmas gift in 89' All my records have been cleaned at least once by it and then put in a new MoFi record sleeve and then a plastic sleeve on the jacket. Started to use only the AD. But after following this thread; I bought a delrin tube for the VPI and use RO water for a final rinse w/ the VPI. I like the result !!  Thanks.
Came across another thread this morning, where people are cleaning there records "once" with their VPI and calling it good.
As with everything in this hobby. To each his own.

Best Wishes on your Journey 

rushton's avatar
rushton OP
2,445 posts
 
@nkonor - thank you! And thanks for sharing some of your experience with the AD and adding the VPI rinse step. I really enjoy getting data points from other people's experiences.
totem395
390 posts
 
Just a note regarding pumps in general, using a bigger pump with higher 
GPM is not always the best choice because each model
is designed to operate at its highest efficiency in the middle of its
output curve.
Run it at the upper end of its curve [least efficient, highest output] due to lack of head, it can over heat and shorten its operating life.
If you happened to have a pump larger in output than needed throttle 
it down with a valve and you can watch the current draw drop as it runs more efficiently.
 Now back to cleaning records.




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