2. analog
  3. 132585-105919

VPI 16.5 Cleaning Machine - Drying Question

Not sure if this is the right forum to pose this question so moderator, feel free to move to appropriate forum if I'm wrong.
I have a question about the drying of the VPI 16.5 machine. I will try to be brief, but that is not a strong suit of mine. :)
So i have a 16.5 and have had one for about 5 years. I started out using one step cleaning solution and didn't really have any issues other than hearing that multi-step solutions did a better job of cleaning records. I recently bought Disc Doctor Miracle Wash and have been using that in my cleaning process. I normally clean multiple records in one session (2-6 per cleaning session usually).I start by using a small amount of distilled water and use the VPI brush to lightly cover the record and vacuum with wand.Then I use the disc doctor cleaning solution and spread it using a disc doctor brush. Then I vacuum that with a different VPI wand.Then I apply another round of distilled water and vacuum with the original VPI wand and the VPI brush.

I've read to not be sparing when using water for the final rinse I use enough to fully cover the record in water.
After about the 2nd or 3rd lp, I start having some moisture still on the record after the final pass with the wand. I vacuum for two cycles and not more because of the static that can happen for longer vacuuming. The pads on the wand are usually pretty damp to the touch by this point which leads me to believe that is why there is still moisture on the record surface.
I've read other posts that say it should be completely dry and that leaving them out to dry invites dust and whatever to attract to the vinyl, defeating the purpose of the cleaning.
So my question is, am I using too much water? Do I need to alter my process? How much water should be used in that final stage? HELP!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
fitzzy72
whart's avatar
whart
3,057 posts
 
When I used a VPI with multi step fluids, I was unsparing in the amount of liquid I used; I suspect the problem is, as @sevs alluded to, the position of the vacuum tube in the upright post. Look up the VPI instructions and experiment a bit; the vacuum slot should be at a slight angle, not perpendicular, to the record surface. (frankly I forget which direction i think the slot should be slightly facing the record, but may be wrong).
I also kept a fresh tooth brush and some purified water by the machine to clean off the vacuum lips during a cleaning session. This also had the effect of stripping off any excess moisture off the wand.
The timing of when you kill the vacuum motor in the process is also a bit of a trick- so that it naturally lifts due to lack of vacuum by the end of the rotation, rather than leaving a line on the record surface where the vacuum lip "stopped" when shut off. It’s been a while since I used the VPI, but I got very good results from it using a two step process- AIVS No 15 and some high grade water, along with two sets of brushes and vacuum wands pre-mounted in the upright posts.
theo's avatar
theo
2,694 posts
 
I owned a 16.5 for years and tried a number of solutions. I think the Walker 4 step did a great job but was tedious and time consuming. So I settled on MoFi enzyme with a pure water rinse. But as far as  volume of water and the surface being left wet, I found that the wand needed to be adjusted down slightly to form a better vacuum and surface contact. But if it still felt the surface of either the records or wand were too wet, I used the SpinClean cloths to absorb the excess and it did help drying the wand felt.
pryso
1,939 posts
 
I suspect sevs may be right.  My 16.5 is old enough the manual didn't specify the pick up tube setting.  But checking with VPI it was recommended to set the slot at 185 degrees when viewed from the outer end (on a 360 degree circle of course).

After washing or rinsing I run the vacuum for two revolutions, then shut it off.  I see nearly another full revolution before the tube lifts off.  My records are completely dry, even when doing multiple cleanings with 6-12 records.
thepreludeimplicit
27 posts
 
My routine is much like Pryso’s. I use a triton/hepastat cleaning solution, and rinse with distilled water from a 4 oz spray bottle. My vac routine is identical to pryso’s. My records are dry and ready to play.

Have had good luck with this method for 5 years. I get my records plenty "wet" during the clean cycle and after the solution has been soaking on the record for a minute or two, I scrub back and forth with the platter turning for about a minute, I use the Mo-Fi brush for the scrubbing. Didn’t like the VPI brush for record cleaning, but have found it to be excellent for preening the vacuum tube, and my original Discwasher’s. On most records the tube remains in contact with record for a full revolution after shutting off the vacuum. YMMV
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,858 posts
 
In my experience you can use too much water. Once the lp is wet and the wand pads are wet, when the vacuum cycle is over (2 revolutions) you’ll still have wet wand pads to some degree. I’ve noticed the slot in the wand really isn’t long enough toward the outer edge of an lp. If just 2 more mm, I suspect that would cure some of the issue. On my machine (16.5) the wand moves outward during the cleaning process and I have to be aware of it and push it back into it’s holder every 3-4 lps. Don’t push too hard as I’ve cracked several this way.
More to discover