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What is your record cleaning regimen?

I am just getting into vinyl, and inheriting records, buying some used and most recently a few new. 

I have only a few hundred records so far, but I have invested in cleaning supplies.

Specifically, I have various pre-set solutions (groovewasher, Tergikleen, distilled water, simple green), a goat hair brush, micro fiber cloths, a baby scalp scrubber and a DeGritter machine (extravagant at this stage, but a huge time saver).

Here is my regime at this point. For any new record, whether inherited or bought, used or new, I wipe it with a dry cloth or the goat hair brush to remove any initial dust. Then I cover the label and spray some solution on it and use the baby scrubber to distribute the liquid around to cover the surface. Then I use a padded microfiber to wipe it off. Then I Degrit.

Btw, I tried WD-40 once, which does work to remove crackles, but subsequent cleanings cause those crackles to come right back, which to me indicates that WD-40 is leaving a residue on the record which I suspect is not helpful in the long run.

Likewise, the goat hair brush is so far disappointing as it seems to shed hair on the record which somewhat defeats its purpose.

Interested in other people's processes and I have a question. I have some older records that have persistent crackles. Will cleaning ultimately make those go away or do I just need to get over it?

I have ordered a record label protector that will allow me to wash in the sink with soap and water in the hopes of getting the ultimate clean.

Any thoughts from the analog folks here would be great.

saulh
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,679 posts
 

...a 'scaled-down' pressure washer....

Just kidding... 😏

bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,205 posts
 

@saulh 

Ultrasonic cleaner. Distilled water with a very small amount of cleaner solution and a small amount of Kodak Photo-Flo 200. This is very important as it lets the water sheet off and dry without deposits. I let the discs dry completely standing upright, about 30 minutes and then into a good quality record sleeve. I like the Rice Paper/Anti Static sleeve from Invest In Vinyl, sold on Amazon. Then the LP jacket goes into a resealable sleeve. Idealplast from Amazon is very good. The main takeway for me is NEVER touch the surface of the vinyl with anything after it has been cleaned. No brushes or cloth. Anything wiping accross the surface of the record is only going to push crap back into the grooves. Simply blowing off any dust that somehow finds its way onto the surface should be all you need to do. Try it and see if you don’t get the best results yourself. Less work, better sound.

terry9
2,341 posts
 

15 minutes US at 80 KHz and 75W per record, three rinses, air dry. Re-clean after 25 plays or so.

I wouldn't blow on the record - saliva has both dissolved solids and oils.

 

clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 

Typically I get half a dozen plays before an album goes back to the record machine.

@ghdprentice 

6 plays?   Are you sure you're not eating dinner off them?

I have records I bought new 50 years ago and have play dozens of times.  I just run the microfibre brush over them to clear loose dust before I play.

kinross
28 posts
 

I use an Audio Desk Vinyl Cleaner Pro - makes a fabulous job of cleaning records and improves sound quality - I wonder if it removes static? Anyway I use it on all my records - new vinyl get 2 x treatment for the sonic improvement. It is a bit pricey but is a simple 2 minute job as it cleans and dries both sides simultaneously.

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