"Cleaning" Vinyl Makes It Worse Not Better!

@tuberculin,

I am not criticizing your system. It simply does not work for me. Don’t be so sensitive, show some humility and accept that this boy ain’t gonna buy it.

Your prior statement is obviously very critical of items that I may have never said in the past.  Unfortunately, the VPI Forum is long gone and all we have left is the published book.

So far Triton-X100, which Neil said was being taken off the market years ago, is still available and all of the other ingredients are easily obtainable, even the 200 proof ethyl alcohol, which Neil said is not available. That has fueled my skepticism.

As far as my chemicals did not work - the list of chemicals that are now in the book are quite extensive:

• Alconox Liquinox - general detergent for precleaning.
• Alconox Citranox - weak acid for precleaning
• Distilled White Vinegar with Nonionic Surfactant as a lower cost alternative to Citranox.
• Enzymes are discussed in Chapter 8
• Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is discussed at length in Chapter 8 along with blending with the final cleaner nonionic surfactant
• Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) such as HEPASTAT-256 and BAK50 (available EU) that some people use for anti-static coatings is addressed in Chapter 8.
• Rush Paul cleaning solution is addressed in Chapter 8.
• Nonionic Surfactants include Tergitol 15-S-9, Polysorbate-20, Triton X100, Surfonic™ JL-80X, DEHYPON LS 54 (available UK), ILFORD Ilfotol, and Tergikleen.

There are a host of chemicals that I address and many different processes.  Ultrasonic cleaning is addressed ad-nauseum in Chapter XIV detailing the effects of kHz, power, how many records at a time, spinner speed, etc,.  But depending on where you live, what equipment you have, and your own goals, the book is a handbook that can guide in any direction you want to go. 

Essentially, I have no fixed system.  My first recommendation is the basic standard chemicals Liquinox, Citranox and Tergitol 15-S-9.  If they work great, if not, and if I work with you, the hours I addressed above are my time - not yours, and I will adjust as necessary to hopefully match a chemistry and process that works for you.

And as the book says in the Forward,  All methods/procedures specified here present opportunity for experimenting with different cleaning agents, different cleaning brushes, different drying cloths, and different cleaning equipment....If you proceed down the path of experimentation, the information provided by this book can guide you to informed decisions...

Otherwise, like your selection of cartridge, I have four Soundsmith cartridges that I rotate among a two-arm table, Sussurro Gold Limited Edition, Paua, Boheme, and Carmen.   Always have one back at Soundsmith for rebuild.  

Take care,

@starwarrior.

FWIW, this is what is in Dawn Ultra - CPID.  Aside from water there are 19-ingredients.  The first 3 (anionic surfactants) are what does most of the cleaning.  But understand that the thickness is artificial - they add propylene glycol (anti-freeze) and salt.  It's a good cleaner, but it's a bear to rinse completely.  

My basic recommendation for an equivalent without all the junk in the trunk (no thickeners, no fragrances, no coloring agents) and rinses much easier is Alconox Liquinox Liquinox_tech_bull.pdf which is about 50% concentrated with a combination of anionic and nonionic surfactants and is relatively cheap - Amazon.com: Alconox - 1232-1 1232 Liquinox Anionic Critical Cleaning Liquid Detergent, 1 quart Bottle : Industrial & Scientific.

@dogberry, 

Have you moved on from the Sussurro Gold?

No.

VPI did a comparison some year back at CAF with two exact same tables (HW-40); played back through some big Wilsons; one with the Lyra-Etna, the other with the Soundsmith Hyperion (the low output version of the Helios).  They were playing a Louis Armstrong record.  The differences in the cartridges were to me very apparent.  The Etna made Louis sound like he was singing in Aspen, CO (clear & bright - call it a bit yang), while the Hyperion made Louis sound like he was playing in New Orleans (hot and humid - call it a bit yin); but neither missed any details.  Personal taste would dictate which one you would like.  To me, the Sussurro Gold is in-between, and much more to my liking (and my equipment).

@antinn Fascinating! I hadn't known of the Helios before, but found it on the SS special order page, where it is shown in the old-style body. I know of someone who has asked Peter if he would make a high-output Hyperion, and it seems he already does.

@oldaudiophile "Yes, I know what you mean.  The little bottle you're talking about is Mofi's Ultra Record Wash concentrate for ultrasonic cleaning machines.  Again, you can make your own for a fraction of the cost."

Okay, can you tell me how to make my own Ultra Record Wash concentrate? I'd appreciate it.