Record cleaning and realistic expectations


I recently purchased some Audio Intelligence solution #15 enzymatic pre clean to use on my VPI 16.5 prior to my usual cleaning with Disc Doctor cleaning solution followed by 3 distilled water rinses. I picked a record that came from a collection in a particularly moldy house.The record had faint white splotchy marks all over that I assumed were mold. Pretreated with AI #15 for 5 min per AI’s instructions. After cleaning and drying, the record was cleaner, but the splotches remained. Did I do something wrong? Could the splotches be something else?

A second record had inner runout marks I assumed were from the old plastic inner sleeve, but going thru the same process these as well did not clean up as well...Hmmm?

Would an US RCM like a Degritter do a better job?

Thanks for any assistance on this.

 

 

jim94025

This is a great resource on record cleaning.  Very long and detailed but has a lot of good info.

Record Cleaning

I do not have any experience with your problem.  When I get a new record into my collection I do a multi stage cleaning.

 

@chasjs - read the same article. excellent. but yeah, long and incredibly detailed.

Distilled water yes ,how about using those mold wipe bags in the room you keep your records especially if there's any dampness or you bought vinyl records with mold in the sleeves. I've been using them...like 12 bucks for 3 bags will last you a couple or move years...I know a humidifier, but they make the air hot...

There more record collecting that cleaning records storage and humidity and heat are the big factors....to keeping you vinyl in a-1 condition.