Wet Cleaning records makes things worse?

@leemaze If you are willing to invest $199.00, just pick up a Record Doctor wet vacuum machine. You will not see dust on that needle ever again.http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=RDV

I've used the Nitty Gritty record cleaner with pretty good results. I eventually sold it because it was manual and replaced it with a Hanss record cleaner, which is the same product but with a different color being sold by Music Hall in the US. I later purchased an Ultrasonic V-8 cleaner sold by David Ratliff, which I thought was pretty revelatory. I think that cleaner cost me about 1400 bucks altogether at that time. Well, last year on a lark, I decided to try the Gem Dandy record cleaning system, which is only 169 bucks and involves the use of faucet water. My purpose was not to use it on new records but rather older records that needed more attention and because of that, I didn't care so much if they would become unplayable due to the treatment. Well, the Gem Dandy blew my mind. Beat the pants out of the Ultrasonic, which I now use only as a final rinse after the Gem Dandy. I'm not even sure that's necessary. The Hanss sits unused. I'd far recommend the Gem Dandy over any of the alternatives being mentioned here. It is that good, and counterintuitively so. I use it on *all* of my records now.

2nd on the Record Doctor.  Maybe not the last word on record cleaning, but works great for me.  I use both the cleaning fluid that came with the machine and MoFi Super Record Wash (both one-step cleaners).  Some day I will experiment with rinsing (and other solutions), but I will wait until I run out of the stuff I have now.

I too use the Gem Dandy Hydraulic LP Cleaning System as part of my LP cleaning process. First I clean the record with the Gem Dandy system - using the Gem Dandy cleaning solution and then I wash it with tap water using the Jet Hose. I then put the record on my Pro-Ject VC-S Vacuum Record Cleaner and spray it with distilled water and brush it. Then I vacuum it dry. This procedure really does a great job!!! I have had/used an Okki Nokki, and an ultrasonic cleaning system. The Gem Dandy combined with the Pro-Ject VC-S produces the best results of all of the systems that I have tried. For info on the Gem Dandy system see - http://www.hifigem.com/hydraulic-lp-cleaning-apparatusMKII.html

After collecting records for over 40 years i have experimented with all type of cleaning solutions and cleaning devices. My previous cleaning machine was a Loricraft (pricey) the most effective record cleaning machine that I have owned until I replaced it with the George Merrill's Hydraulic Cleaning Syst. This thing is the best record cleaner devices I have ever used when combined with a Spin Clean record cleaner. Here's my record cleaning regime. Spray both sides with George's cleaning solution (use it in a well ventilated area) I spin the LP a few times  scrubbing lightly ONLY if the record is filthy let the fluid do its thing (don't let it DRY) and blast it with water as explained in the you tube tutorial. Rinse the record with distiller water in the Spin Clean record cleaner and dry. This method is cheap, fast, and extremely effective. No residues left, no potential cross contamination. works like a charm. Thanks George!

Disclaimer: I'm not in any ways or means related to GEM Dandy products
                   just a thrilled customer
                   No, no previous experience with ultrasonic machines.