Interesting information from Analog Planet on Stylus Cleaner Onzow Zero Dust.

@rickd1225, God Bless You for your expertise on this!

I have no idea what all the technical polymer chemistry stuff means but, like you, I've been using the Onzow Zerodust stylus cleaner for a while, now, with no unsavory effects I can discern. No problems with sound quality and nothing of any concern I can see on the stylus. However, the magnification I've been using to observe the stylus is pretty pedestrian. I also agree that Mr. Fremer, WAM Engineering/Wally Tools and J.R. Boisclair have gone off half-cocked on this. Strictly based upon what has been reported, thus far, however, I have to say, regrettably, that the brunt of responsibility, here, rest squarely on Mr. Fremer's shoulders.  WAM/Wally Tools/J.R. Boisclair are simply reporting on what they're seeing, thus far, and what the styli owners have, it would seem, reported to them, regarding these styli deposits. It wouldn't surprise me, at all, if Onzow Labo, DS Audio and maybe some other manufacturers of some of these gel-type cleaners consider litigation if their sales are negatively affected by this half *** reporting. It would behoove Mr. Fremer to do everything within his power to get to the bottom of what these deposits really are and where they are really coming from and do it FAST!

Also having no dog in this fight, I will continue using Onzow.

As many have pointed out, there is nothing wrong with occasional brushing & flossing so to speak. Occasional use of a compact brush as supplied by Ortofon/Benz/Lyra/MoFi/Disc Doctor etc as an addition to regular correct use of the aforementioned gel is highly advisable. Gentle lossy brushing of the cantilever could also be considered from time to time.

I agree that hard clear substances can build up on styli. I have seen it and cleaned it. Not rocket science but it does require great magnification and a steady hand (along with support of the cantilever using MacGyver inspired well placed removable scotch tape with the unsticky back side supporting the top of the cantilever). Clear buildup is indicative of cleaning “treatment” fluid whereas brown gunk would relate to wet record playing trash which is typically not as tough to remove.

The clear crust I’ve removed via an exacto knife (Metal blade) & plastic pick were determined, by user/owner query, to be stylus treatments over applied and built up over time. The brown gunk, removed with just the plastic pick, was one of my pickups grunged up after trying to relive my youth using a wet Discwasher record brush - turns out they don’t effectively dry after moistening the brush’s leading edge!

In spite of a potential warranty claim reported for a mistracking cartridge, I completely fail to see how such a soft cleaning gel can cause audible damage despite referenced “deposit” photos.

Just my $0.02 worth . . . Let’s go buy more records!

@rickd1225 

Thank you! Expertise over speculation 100 times out of 100 !

Yes, fantastic post @rickd1225 !

Everyone who missed it - scroll down and read it.

Update: Here's a little ditty I found interesting on this subject on Youtube:

Is The Onzow Zerodust RUINING Your Stylus? - YouTube