cc: @lewm @pindac @bdp24 @cleeds @joenies
Sorry about that! Went for a special test at a London Hospital and immediately afterwards I was in for Spinal Surgery. Everything went O.K., and they did manage to fix another "broken part". Only 27 more "broken parts" to go and some day I may be considering my Medical Situation approaching "Normal". All kidding aside, the surgery went very well (even though it was a complete surprise), and I am very pleased. I asked my wife to send you an update, and, I see she did. Now I can get back to responding to your issues.
Your event with the pump on your vacuum cleaning device for records has become a very serendipitous event in several respects, and, has precipitated several fortunate events from my perspective. Other than costing me far more than than what I could have possibly imagined - it was a very interesting journey.
After you stated your issues regarding your seal leaking, I had an immediate reflexive reaction and had drawn subsequent conclusions in my mind. After all, this is/was another aspect that I had taken into consideration for those that have record cleaning devices, because I possess and utilize a VPI 17 machine myself.
In hindsight, I am glad that I did not post my first prepared response about seals and compatibilities with various materials. What was needed, was to know more about your device, also, I was silly to ask about particulars. The KEY was knowing exactly what device/machine you had. When you informed me that you had been using a " Clearaudio Double Matrix Sonic Pro", I had no prior knowledge about this machine whatsoever at the time.
I used my search engine to investigate. First, I went to their website and found out it was made in Germany. That alone, confirmed my initial suspicions. After going to the Clearaudio website, I chose to view two lengthy youtube videos. The first was in Polish, and it was excellent, the second was in German, and, that was good as well ( I speak and understand both languages). I then downloaded the user manuals and the manuals for accessories including surprisingly the manuals regarding the "fluids" designed and designated to be used with their machines. Looking for a repair manual was futile, but, that is now O.K., I have made alternative arrangements.
Before proceeding any further I must thank you and inform you that I had decided and made arrangements for what is now to be my early Christmas gift to myself this year. This present should arrive in a few weeks. Yes, the deed has been done , and I will be using my own "Clearaudio Double Matrix Professional Sonic (in silver) with my "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation" myself fairly soon. I fully realize that my VPI 17 machine is perfectly adequate and the Clearaudio machine will not necessarily be much better, other than being quieter, but, my attitude now is "Who Cares"! The design is terrific both in appearance and function, and the engineering is excellent. Typically German, why should one use a ordinary $0.05 screw when you can use a $5.00 Titanium screw? I am a "sucker" for a good design and things that are constructed well.
As you already know, Clearaudio provides 4 different solutions to be used in conjunction with their products.
A); "Pure Groove" - A ready to use cleaner that can be obtained locally, or, can be shipped, if you are willing to spend the additional outrageous amount of money required to do so. This is because of the higher alcohol content. It contains a 41.5% concentration of Ethanol for the original development, and, this requires additional shipping regulations and packaging to be provided.
B); "Pure Groove Essence" - is a semi-concentrate that contains only 10% Ethanol and all the other essential ingredients in distilled water, and, can easily be shipped without difficulties. It is then to be mixed 2:1 "essence" to Ethanol, assumed to be 92.0% prior to using.
C); "Groove Care" - another product that contains only 10% Ethanol.
D); "Pure Groove Shellac" - that contains no alcohol or any other solvents that may affect these early recordings.
The WHMIS shipping regulations are the same for North America as it is for Germany. You can ship any product, and with relative ease, as long as it contains no more than 10% of any ingredient listed on an extensive list of solvents and ingredients. This is regardless of flammabilities in this particular group. The basis is less than 10%. Technically this "barks" loudly of lack of technology, however, WHMIS is already so complex that some areas need to be simplified. I have mixed feelings, but, I do reluctantly agree with these standards. WHMIS is something that can never, ever be 100% perfect, so, this compromise is reasonable.
In Germany (actually, most of Europe) Denatured alcohol is supplied at 90.0% or 92.0% Ethanol in Methanol with very minuscule amounts of terpenes or mercaptans in order to be distinguished. Unlike in North America where denatured alcohol most likely contains 95.0% Ethanol with a considerable amount of Methanol, but also contains a host of other "very nasty" harmful ingredients. This is, in this particular case, important because the people at Clearaudio were not made aware of how denatured alcohol is supplied in North America, as, North Americans are not aware of how it is supplied in Europe.
The group at Clearaudio are/were able to utilize the programs offered with German Universities. They wanted the best for their equipment. Who better to work with than those from the Technical University of Munich. This is, without a doubt, the very best University for Chemistry in Germany.
I wish to start in my field of expertise, which is, Chemistry. I selected the "Pure Groove Essence" product because it would be the most likely you, or most, would order for your machine to use for cleaning records. Also knowing that you would need to add Ethanol to the "Essence" prior to use. And the Ethanol that you should use according to "Wizzzard" and according to Clearaudio would be the 99.5% Ethanol in water available at your Liquor Store.
As I prefer to do to with all formulations, I would like to present them as a 100.0% version taking into consideration all of the details of each ingredient and converting it to its’ basic components. And, this is all at a chosen specific temperature. In this case I choose 20 degrees C again.
So, the following is the formulation for a "ready to use", "Pure Groove Essence" with Ethanol as recommended. No need to ask how I know the actual formulation.
"Pure Groove Essence - Ready to use"
Distilled Water 679.218 g. 67.9218 % p.b.w
Ethanol (100.00%). 296.565 g. 29.6565 % p.b.w.
Methanol (100.00%) 20.637 g. 2.0637 % p.b.w.
BASF Larostat 264A 2.350 g. 0.2350 % p.b.w.
BASF Lutensol LA 1.230 g. 0.1230 % p.b.w.
Total: 1,000.000 g. 100.00 % parts by weight
The above 1,000.000 grams will produce: 1.086 liters
Volumetrically, for those who prefer to view formulations in that format, is as follows:
Distilled Water. 62.668 % p.b.v.
Ethanol (100.00%). 34.600 % p.b.v.
Methanol (100.00%). 2.402 % p.b.v.
Larostat 264A. 0.214 % p.b.v.
Lutensol LA 0.112 % p.b.v.
Total: 100.000 % parts by volume
If it were up to Clearaudio, the formulation would not contain any Methanol, however, the "essence" version is a compromise because of shipping regulations. It would exclusively contain Ethanol as in the "Domestic Version", and, the Ethanol concentration would be higher, as in, 41.50% target amount.
When this formulation was prepared, it was prepared by "design", as was the formulation I presented. The parameters are/were somewhat different, and, understandably so. If any of this scientific "design methodology" sounds familiar — it should, you only need to read my very first post. The educated minds that were designated the task to develop the best cleaner and other solutions had chosen Lutensol LA because it was considered, and subsequently determined, to be the best single non-ionic surfactant that was readily available in Europe. They knew of the existence of others that would be better, however, availability in Europe was a problem.
Ethanol was selected because it also was known to be the least destructive of alcohols towards various vinyl compositions that were most available. They also wisely chose to ignore the Hansen parameters, realizing that evaluating each individual parameter is far more important and more conclusive, as I also did in my development. Also, they tested and determined that Ethanol was far superior with regard to cleaning records, more than any other alcohol. Their determination was that Ethanol was superior, and they developed a series of tests that demonstrated that, in fact, Ethanol was far superior as a cleaning agent than any other alcohol. It was perhaps these determinations that made them select the second inflection point of 41.500% rather than the more practical, but, almost equally effective 22.000% that I had chosen.
I ask you again if any of this "design Methodology" sound familiar to you. The difference was that one individual, "Wizzzard", presented "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation" for all to know and use at no cost to you. And, YES it is, and remains, a better cleaning formulation. While the other was a well funded project conducted by a number of post-graduates assigned to a somewhat more specific goal for a client and their products.
You may recall when I wrote to you with regard to making a graph to visually relate to why I chose 22.000%. At that time it was to demonstrate the very significant First inflection inflection point. At that time the graph demonstrated a Secondary inflection point that occurred at 41.500%, but, was not considered sufficiently significant. I saw no need for such a considerable increase in alcohol for such an insignificant benefit in Surface Tension. However, I am of the "minimalist school", and, I had also chosen Tergitol 15-S-7 as the surfactant. And, I was not adding other ingredients for either lubrication, or anti-static, or anti-microbial reasons. I was solely interested in the very best record cleaning formula.
The team for Clearaudio had selected the secondary point, allowing 41.500% Ethanol, the very Maximum that anyone would ever consider. Also, they were not using a secondary alcohol non-ionic surfactant. Theirs was based on the primary alcohol surfactant, Lutensol LA and they also chose to add an additional anti-static agent Laristat 264A. Which, by the way, is an excellent anti-static agent. This had some bearing on their overall design, and that is their "chosen design". Absolutely nothing wrong with their choice, only, that it is based on slightly different criteria.
If you recall my comment to @pindac, which was a post on 15 July 2023 at 2:34 AM. I mentioned that, at that point, to the best of my knowledge, the closest product that BASF produced that resembled Tergitol 15-S-7 was Lutesol LA, and the amount I suggested was 0.113% p.b.w. to 0.114% p.b.w. However, I was also basing my calculation on a 22.000% Ethanol formula. You can see how similar my speculative concentration is to the actual amount used by Clearaudio with this primary alcohol based surfactant.
You can sense that I am very impressed with people who agree with me and my methodology. If you detected any arrogance on my part in that statement - it was meant as such. But, seriously, I have seen many formulations proposed as the "most wonderful". Most are "crap". Some are even very destructive and many are sinfully overpriced. I believe, I destroyed one such company with overwhelming details of their gouging. I did not receive one recognition for that post or a "thank you", so, they can avoid being swindled. On the other hand, one individual "actually" defended this almost criminal activity. I realize the animosities that I have generated, but, I also think it’s time to put those feelings to bed and accept the realities.
If you choose to not make your own "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation" that I initially posted and choose to purchase a product instead. The Products supplied by Clearaudio are all very good products. Their products are the only products I am aware of that are very impressive, and worthwhile purchasing. Their products are the ONLY products that I would recommend to purchase. Yes, they are not cheap, but, if you are choosing to purchase, then these are the products you need to buy.
Clearaudio makes no outrageous claims about their formulations. They are only supplying products in conjunction with their equipment. If I say anymore, I will begin to sound like a sales person for Clearaudio. One other thing I had noted about their record mats is that they supply a felt mat (not specifying the type of felt) and a leather mat that is Bovine and embossed, with what is referred to in the leather goods industry, as a "Bison" pattern. This was another point that impressed me. When I eventually submit my extensive record-mat study that I did some years ago, you will understand how these two selections fit into my my study and why I was further impressed by this company.
Some final remarks for @mijostyn. Clearaudio uses Butyl Rubber for their seals, which is unaffected by most certainly all the common alcohols. Also, you can see that Clearaudio use substantially far more Ethanol in their products than in my suggested formulation. So, when you tried my recommended formulation it was 1.) Either a fluke!, 2.) Time was up for your existing seal, 3.) or, perhaps it was some other additional ingredient in conjunction with the Ethanol. 4.) Something needs to be questioned about the alcohol used. Or, 5.) prior activities with other ingredients may have remained in the seal that was activated by the Ethanol. You certainly see that it must be something else other than the Ethanol because Clearaudio uses considerably far more Ethanol in their solutions recommended for their products. Have you contacted them for an explanation? I am very interested in to getting to the bottom of this problem of yours. As I stated earlier, I will soon have my own machine to use.
I know this was a lot, but there is an obvious solution to the problem that we are both overlooking. Please keep me informed.
Sincerely,
"Wizzzard"