"Cleaning" Vinyl Makes It Worse Not Better!

@reubent 

I wouldn’t go any higher than 80… the issue is you can’t start there.. the water continues to heat up due to the friction of the vibrations… If you set your temp lower you’ll end up at 80 and beyond at some point if you doing several batches. Make sure to keep an eye on it because once the damage is done you’ll be stuck with a warped record. 

First, I know this process is/was excessive. I previously worked in an analytical chemistry lab, so I was accustomed to excessively clean processes/equipment. 

Background:  I have cleaned ~4500 LPs using the following process: 

1. Tap rinse
2. Spin Clean w soap - 6 revolutions, each side
3. Ultrasonic clean w soap at 2 different frequencies (Elmasonic P, from Germany, 37/80 kHz), the 80kHz produces less heat,- which is a key issue for LPS (most units do not offer this feature).
4. Tap rinse / drip dry
5. Spin Clean w D.I - 6 revolutions, each side
6. Drip dry in a rack / wipe with Spin Clean drying cloths
7. Store in new sleeves...

I avoid excessive heat, strong acids, strong abrasives and organic solvents - not needed (and can damage LPs).

With the 'deep cleaning' accomplished, I simply dust each side with a Disc Washer brush before playback.

I recommend you try a few steps to see what satisfies you, your needs and your time-budget.

Second, please know that cheap equipment is CHEAP ONLY ONCE.  After that, you pay every time you use it...  (a lesson that my favorite boss taught me years ago). 

Best of luck with your adventure and feel free to message me if you want more details...

@ ruebent, @ skiznfliz

I used standard freezer ICEPACKS to cool my Ultrasonic Bath between batches.  Moderating the US Bath's temperature is vital. 

I also used an aquarium filter, with small-pore batting, to filter particles throughout the process.

I hope this helps... Good luck,

My local audio shop cleans vinyl with the Humminguru for $2.00 a disc. The Guru costs approx. $500.00. so I can have them clean discs 250 times instead.

Thanks for helping guys!!

On a budget purchase a "label protector" such as the one I will link below (or purchase a less expensive Amazon version/offering for 50% less) and use your sink (soft/plastic tub inserted) to clean your records.

The first step (prior to rubbing/brushing the LP with anything) is to protect the label and then flush out the grooves with warm water.

You can do this with just the water tap or you can get more involved by using a repurposed WaterPik (dental cleaner) or something similar that increases the water flow/pressure.

If you use a brush prior to the flush you will be brushing possibly hard contaminants against the vinyl surface (and if they are harder they will scratch/damage it).

The above paragraph describes the main error in many established vinyl cleaning methods (flush, flush, flush before applying any brush).

As far as inexpensive DIY cleaning solutions go Google it (mine is a simple Google find).

I also use filtered tap water for final rinsing and as far as comparing the PUR filtered water from my tap to distilled water from the grocery stores (by evaporation) the filtered water has less/no visible contaminates VS the the distilled water -w- visible contaminates.

https://groovmaster.com

DeKay