Record Cleaner Advice?


The recent refurbishment of my analog front end has me thinking it would be wise to get myself a new-fangled record cleaner.  My old Nitty-Gritty still works, but I'm sure you all have much to tell me about newer, better options.  Advice please!

Not that it matters much, but my front end: SOTA Star Sapphire with new bearing, SME V overhauled by Alfred Kayser in Canada (dismantled, cleaned, new ceramic bearings and shotgun Cardas gold litz cables from cartridge to preamp) and new Audio-Technica ART9XA.  I need clean vinyl!
keegiam
@pindac,

First good news that your getting good results (as expected).

Referencing -  Vinyl Record Manual Cleaning Process (thevinylpress.com), the pre-clean step (if using Alconox Liquinox) is where you can get some foam as noted Figure 15; and most of the foam should be in brush  The final clean step that uses only a non-ionic surfactant will not foam excessively as noted Figure 17.

I do not know what Ultrasound Solution is so unable to access what it may do or what harm it may do.  The noise between tracks is essentially the silent groove(s).  The background noise of the silent groove 'can' be inherent to the record material surface roughness - and this surface roughness can be specific to the specific pressing plant; or it  may be tightly adherent small particles

If you want you can try this very simple step as an additional pre-clean step to be performed after the first pre-clean with Alconox (or whatever detergent you are using).  Pre-clean with White Distilled Vinegar 5% acidity (use no other).  To 500 mL add 2-3 drops Tergitol 15-S-9.  The 15-S-9 makes the vinegar a wetting solution.  Gently spray each side of the record and then gently spread with the brush making sure the record is fully wetted; and then gently agitate for 2-4 minutes.  After which rinse with flowing tap water to remove and then follow with final clean and rinse as specified in Chapter V.

White distilled vinegar is a weak acid (acetic) but its also very pure - it comes from ethanol and is also known as ethanolic acid so it has almost no NVR.  The weak acid is used to dissolve small inorganic mineral salt particles that are attached tightly to the record that detergents may not remove (I discuss this Chapter IV Figure 10).   I now use white distilled vinegar (+ drops of 15-S-9) as the 2nd pre-clean step and have had good to  excellent results with over 50 records.  More details will be provide when the book 3rd edition is issued late this year or next.  

Good Luck

Neil

Thank You for this added incite to use the White Distilled Vinegar and the descriptions for the levels of noise being picked up on a 40ish year old LP.
I have the Amazon Recommended Concentrate Cleaner >DIW as the
Pre Clean Solution and Dehyphon >DIW as the Final Rinse Solution.

Will Dehyphon work with the Distilled White Vinegar ?
Is the mix approx 0.025 mg per 300ml or will more be required if Dehyphon is compatible. 

I am keen to put this added stage to use, before considering the
USB Rinse.
@pindac,

For the 5% Acidity White Distilled Vinegar  - this you buy at your local grocery store.  Its generally provided in 1-pint (~500 mL); 1-quart (~1L) and larger containers. The pint containers I buy have screw top threads that are used by many sprayers.

The Dehyphon will work just fine (its the EU/UK alternative to 15-S-9) - just add 2-3 drops/500 mL.  In this case, exact measurement is not critical, so to keep simple just add 2-3 drops/pint.  If you want to go the extra step of measuring it out - assume 20-drops/mL; so I am using ~0.1 to 0.15 mL/475 mL and 1-mL = 1000 mg; so 0.1 mL = 100 mg; and 0.15 mL = 150 mg (per pint = 475 mL).  

Amazon Recommended Concentrate Cleaner >DIW as the
Pre Clean Solution and Dehyphon >DIW as the Final Rinse Solution.
I am going to assume that this is your actual current cleaning process:

Pre-clean:   Amazon Recommended Concentrate Cleaner /DIW
Rinse:  Flowing Tap-water 
Final-clean:  Dehyphon/DIW
First Final Rinse:  Flowing Tap-water
Final Rinse:  DIW

Otherwise - what is  "Ultrasound Solution"; can you provide a link?

 
I’ve just ordered my first record cleaning machine: Record Doctor IV along with Audio Intelligent cleaning fluid. We’ll see how it goes!
Hi @antinn 
                    Thank you for the continued support and tutoring.
The Conversion to (mg) makes my life much simpler as I have invested in a Scale to support with producing the producing the recommended Solutions.

I will need to revisit your Aqueous Download to take confirm my recollections on the use of a Ultrasound with a Rinse Solution.
From recollection the Solution used in a Ultrasound would have to be more the Dehyphon with a increased dilution, producing a different to the Manual Cleaning  Applied Solution.

I live in a Hard Water Area, this produces collections of Lime Scale Deposits on Various surfaces over time.
My Cleaning is carried out with Rinses of DIW.
1, Amazon Solution applied from a Mist Nozzle Bottle,
Goat Hair Brush/ Fine Bristle Cradle Cap Brush. 
1a, Rinse Bruhes
2, DIW applied from a Mist Nozzle Bottle,
Goat Hair Brush
2a, Rinse Brush
3, Dehyphon Solution applied from a Mist Nozzle,
Bottle Goat Hair Brush/ Fine Bristle Cradle Cap Brush.
3a, Rinse Brushes
4  DIW applied from a Mist Nozzle Bottle,
Goat Hair Brush/  Fine Bristle Cradle Cap Brush.
4a, Rinse Brushes.
5, Flush the LP with a Squeeze Bottle applied DIW.

I am considering using a Gardeners Portable Pressured Pump Bottle to produce a powerful flow to mimic a Running Tap.
With a little bit of extra preparation it should be easy to get this bottles water Temperature up to 30ish Degrees Celsius to represent a Luke Warm Water.  
This method can be utilised as a Step 2b, 3b, 5.

I have found Multipack Fine Bristle Cradle Cap Brushes.
I intend on having a Brush set aside for each solution.

I have owned the Goat Hair Brush as a unused Wet Cleaning Brush for many years.
It has been given a chance to assist with cleaning, is it a necessary stage ??
It only adds a Minute to a Process so it is not too inconvenient.

My Implements are starting to arrive for my thoughts on how to improve the Vinyl Handling.
I am keen to try out the methods thought out during the initial cleaning experience undertaken, these have evolved a little in the past days and items were selected for the purpose.
I will update on the reassurances I feel are on offer through utilising the implements.