2. analog
  3. 193459-149619

Record cleaning formula using Triton X-100

Would someone share their recipe for making your own record cleaning solution using Triton X-100?  This is the surfactant I have.  Also, if you could simplify proportions constrained to a one gallon container, this would be much appreciated.  I have seen recipes ranging from a 5% IPA proportion to 25% IPA, and not sure which is too little or too much?  The proportion of Triton varies between recipes, as well.  I gave up on the thread a while back for the Best Record Cleaning Solution...

 

This solution would be for use in a record cleaning machine, not an ultra sonic cleaner.  Also, would there be a difference in proportion using 91% IPA vs. 99% IPA?  I have 91% on hand, but could change to 99% if results would be that much more noticeable.  I am not too concerned with drying time.  For measuring the Triton, I do have a 5cc and a 1cc syringe, courtesy of my local pharmacy.  Thanks.

toddnlg
toddnlg OP
20 posts
 

Yes.  I am aware of this.  I have read through numerous threads on other sites and Audiogon; to include the thread entitled "The "Very Best Record Cleaning Formulation."  This is, where running the calculation I am finding no consistency with proportions of IPA or Triton X-100.  IPA proportions are running between 5% to 25%.  How much IPA is too much?  A friend uses straight 70% IPA.  I think his records sound tinny.  Using too much Triton will leave residue, creating the need for, unnecessary, multiple rinses, until water beads.

 

For these reasons, I was hoping a fellow member would share their experience and proven results.

lewm
13,421 posts
 

I’d been using 20% IPA and about .01 to .05% TX100 for decades before the Wizz’s post. As you know he recommended other detergents and ethanol, not IPA.

antinn
414 posts
 

@toddnlg,

The 20% IPA and 0.02-0.05% TX100 in distilled water listed by @lewm is a good detergent receipt, but it requires a rinse - it's not a no-rinse formula. 

A key property of nonionic surfactants is critical micelle concentration (CMC).  Surfactants when they are first added to water collect at the surface lowering the surface tension. There is a concentration when the surface tension will not decrease any further, and this point is known as CMC.  At concentrations >CMC, micelles are formed, and this is what provides surfactant detergency.  The CMC for TX100 is 189-ppm (~0.02%).  

If you want detergency from the TX100 versus just wetting, you want to add at least 2xCMC = ~0.04% or at 2.5xCMC =~0.05%.  1-US-gal = 3785-ml.  Quantity of TX100 to add for 0.05% = (0.05%/100) x 3785-ml = 1.9-ml, round up to 2-ml.  

For the IPA 70% or 91% is fine, and for 20% here is the equation for volume of IPA to add:  [(0.2-IPA)/(0.7 or 0.91 IPA) x 3785-ml.  Example for using 70% IPA is: (0.2)/0.7) x 3785-ml = rounding down ~1000-ml.  To add this amount to a 1-gal container of distilled water, pour off about 1100-ml, then add the IPA.

FYI, you will come across many that use the nonionic surfactant Tergitol 15-S-9 which is easily purchased Tergitol 15-S-3 and 15-S-9 Surfactant | TALAS.  The benefit of 15-S-9 is that the CMC is only 52-ppm (0.0052%).  Tergitol 15-S-9 is the replacement for TX100, and the lower CMC allows use of much less surfactant, making it easier to rinse.  Also, 15-S-9 mixes into water much faster and that can be seen in the different viscosities - TX100 is 240 cPs, while 15-S-9 is 60 cPs.  

If you wish to dive into this in future detail this book is available for free - Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records-3rd Edition - The Vinyl Press

antinn
414 posts
 

@toddnlg,

The 20% IPA and 0.02-0.05% TX100 in distilled water listed by @lewm is a good detergent receipt, but it requires a rinse - it's not a no-rinse formula. 

One note of caution - the above blend with 20% IPA is intended for small quantity cleaning processes at room temperature such as manual cleaning or vacuum-RCM which is how @lewm uses it.  The NFPA would classify 20% as flammable and use in a heated ultrasonic tank in large volumes (liters) is risky.  There's always some consternation about this, because there is always someone who will say they did and never had a problem.  You do not know the full circumstances of how they were using it - the UT tank and the environment - how well ventilated.  The vapors coming off the tank will have an IPA concentration higher than the liquid in the tank. 

I always say, never confuse luck with design, so, I am doing due diligence.  But everyone sets their own threshold of how much they what they are willing to gamble, so be it.

lewm
13,421 posts
 

I totally agree with Antinn based on personal experience. When I finally adopted the practice of rinsing with distilled water after washing with the above concoction, I definitely heard an improvement compared to prior years when I did not rinse but did everything else the same. So I wash with the solution, then dry with vacuum, then rinse liberally with distilled water, then dry again with vacuum, using VPI HW17.  That's the ticket.

More to discover