The "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation"

The recipe above is 22% of 95% ethanol, which ends up as:

0.95 x 220 = 209ml pure ethanol in 780ml + 11ml (the 5% of Everclear that is water) = 791ml water, which is 26.4% ethanol in the final solution.

The only reason not to use a higher volume of standard vodka (ie 40% ethanol, of which you would need 330ml in 670ml distilled water) is if you believe the water in the vodka is of poor quality. I have had no problems (hic!) using Iceberg vodka (which really is made with icebergs!), but then I’m used to dual-effect pharmacology in palliative care. I have seen no evidence that either isopropanol or ethanol interacts negatively in these concentrations with vinyl. Ethanol is theoretically easier to rinse off, but is more expensive. If it didn’t give me an excuse to keep a bottle of vodka in the house I’d use isopropanol.

By the way, the ethanol will evaporate away over time on a shelf at room temperature. Wizz didn’t mention that. So if you’re anal about the ethanol concentration, you’d best make a fresh solution for each cleaning session. I personally will continue to use isopropanol or propanol. 98%. At a final concentration of about 25%.

One trick I use to prevent evaporation is to put two layers of thin clear plastic over the opening, then screw the cap shut.

Works on gas cans also.

kind of like teflon for pipe fittings. In fact, for some, like rubber restorer and liquid bearings, I use teflon on the threads.

https://www.target.com/p/glad-cling-plastic-food-wrap-400-sq-ft/-/A-15266142?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tmnv&DFA=71700000109936894&CPNG=PLA_DVM%2Ba064R000011dpmXQAQ-Clorox_Glad_Google+Search_Q1_2023-922545&adgroup=PLA_Clorox&LID=700000001393753pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9003512&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj_ajBhCqARIsAA37s0wQPNgLaehEJDzJSv7xN8crsYvSDgk_dXEuH8GZ0VTwbUk2S9m0l84aAn22EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

First, before I continue, I should state to those who submitted posts and anticipated prompt responses, allow me to inform you that very often I am unable to do so, and, I appreciate your patience.  I have an extremely rare auto-immune condition that interferes with my life and my intentions.  It does not permit me to function as I would like.

Fewer than 25 in Canada, and fewer than 300 people in the U.S.A. have this condition.  It is somewhat comparable to ALS only much worse.  Besides being unable to function, significant portions of my body become paralyzed or semi-paralyzed associated with intense pain.  I am able to be alive and contend with this condition with regular IVIGG treatments.  I consider myself extremely lucky because I am still alive, most of those afflicted do not respond well and die within a year or two.  I needed to state this before I continue further.

@lewm 

cc: @jasonbourne71 

Forgive me, but I am going to jump ahead and respond to Lewm before responding to JasonBourne71 and others.

As I stated at the onset, my posting was a post about Scientific Facts.  Truthful and absolutely correct in all aspects.  It was not an invitation about expressed opinions or initiating debates among others.  I clearly stated that I was prepared to answer questions and provide explanations.  I also stated that if there was an interest in the initial posting, I was willing to provide "Facts and Truths" about other subjects with which I am very familiar and qualified.

Lewm, you had asked a very pertinent question about. the exclusive use of Ethanol, and why not use isopropyl alcohol or propanol, and, I appreciated that question, and was very willing to respond in detail, and, I did in a hand written presentation to be posted when I was able to do so.

But, you then proceeded to "drift".  You asked if I was serious.  The answer is YES I AM! You then took the opportunity to somewhat respond to someone else's question using my post which is for the facts and the truth only.   You made a somewhat definitive remark "like 300 pounds pressure" rather than ask me, which is the objective of my Post.  "Facts not opinions or beliefs"  Truth not lies or B.S.

But then again on 5 June 2023 at 10:54 AM, you took the liberty to make additional definitive statements for others to read.  With your self-appointed authority you made an absolutely idiotic statement about a subject that you obviously know nothing about.  And, this is on my site that was initiated to exclusively provide factual and truthful information only.  Allow me a partial quote of yours,"By the way, the ethanol will evaporate away over time on a shelf at room temperature.  Wizz didn’t mention that.  So if you’re anal about ethanol concentration, you’d best make a fresh solution for each cleaning session.   Etc. …".

Let me address. That very last statement first.  If you new anything, as I do, you would know that due to the Hydrogen Bonding characteristics of ethanol you would know that ethanol is hygroscopic and to a significant extent, and, that ethanol readily absorbs water (as moisture) Fromm the atmosphere (air).  This is why "Wizz" (actually Wizzzard) did not mention it - because he knows only the facts.  And, it may surprise you to discover that over time the ethanol does not evaporate and you would not need to replace it.  In fact, the exact opposite occurs, the ethanol absorbs more water from the atmosphere.  However, at precisely 22.000%, which is the primary transition point concentration, it would remain very stable and would not be noticeable.  Some detection may be noticed at the secondary transition point of 41.500%, but more likely at 95.60%.  If you happen to be referring to me as "anal", I suggest you first look in a mirror.

Now to the first point that you stated with "some convection" and misled JasonBourne71 and possibly others.  Stating 300 lbs. as a stylus pressure on a record.  This was terrible to "state" on a forum devoted to truth and accuracy.  This is exactly where absurdity enters an area where a statement is made based on nothing.  This is something that can easily be calculated and presented with precision.

At the onset I stated you can ask questions.  If you were to inform me of the phono cartridge that you have, and the type of stylus affixed to the cantilever, and the weight you apply for proper tracking, I, or or others, can calculate the exact amount of force applied to the record.  It would take me less than 2 minutes to calculate, and I would be willing to share the mathematics with you if you are so interested.  The pressure I provided to JasonBourne71 was based on an average of the 6 basic stylus types (because he did not mention his particular stylus configuration) but the information was necessary to provide an answer the his primary concern.  Assuming he was using a tracking force of 2.0 grams, I had determined in less than 3 minutes that the force was 10,811.7 pounds per square inch.

Again, a factual, correct calculation that can not be disputed or debated.  Simple mathematics, nothing more.  But that was the intent of this posting!

As mentioned earlier, I prepared a good and clear explanation for you as to your excellent question as to why only Ethanol, and why specifically 22.000%.  Not 20, or 21, or 23, or 25, but, 22.000%. And that no other alcohols be used or even considered.  But, I determined to use my allocated time to others that appreciate me and my efforts, and my intentions.

But, I will keep my word, and honor my position and answer your question, however, to a minimal degree only.

All materials including resins and resin blends, whether natural synthetic, have many characteristic parameters.  I have correctly restricted myself to include the parameters that are of relevance.  Because we are using solvents (and diluents) one of our primary objectives in not to alter or damage the substrate (vinyl recording).  We want something that will clean the record the very best without causing harm, hence, "The Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation".

The parameters are:  Hildebrand Parameter , Dipole Moment, Dielectric Constant, Polarity, Fractional Polarity, and Hydrogen Bonding (van Der Waals forces).

As we review ALL the alcohols available and other ingredients, only 2 ingredients have NO detrimental effect to vinyl records, and they are, distilled water and ethanol.

And why 22.000% exactly.  If you recall from High School Days, you will recall doing graphs.  You may remember several types, if not, you should surly recall "Inflection Points". And, the various slopes and their meanings.  Some graphs represent only two slopes, others as many as 2 (secondary) or three (tertiary).If you plot Surface Tension versus Ethanol concentration, you will obtain a very severe slope, and, two relatively gently slopes.  The first is the primary an is exactly 22.000%, the secondary exists at 40.500% and is relatively insignificant (most, would even ignore it).  It is for this reason that 22.000% is determined.  Another reason it the advantageous azeotropic characteristic exhibited at 22.000% which is very desirable.

For others reading this:  Isopropyl alcohol is also known as 2-rpopanol and dimethyl carbinol, and propanol is correctly known as 1-propanol, propyl alcohol, ethyl carbonyl, and n-propanol.

Dr. S.N.W.      BA, MA, MChem, MBA, DPhil, DSc.