Record-playing Rituals?

I've had the same experience! Everyone says the RR stuff is better but i feel the vpi did a better job. Even while using the deep cleaner first the wash just seems to float atop the vinyl. I need to clean some sides too, since moving, and wonder if i should go back to the oem stuff. I would think with such a product modifying it would seem to be a step backward when maybe we were happy with the VPI fluid?

Hello Fellow A'goners,

I was notified from a friend that there were a few guys concerned about the beading effect of our record cleaning solutions. I understand your concerns,however, allow me to explain:

First of all, RRL Super Vinyl Wash and Super Deep Cleaner are suppose to bead up. The water beads up and holds the debris in suspension, away from the record where it can be safely removed with a RCM. The surface tension of the solution also helps penetrate and lift the debris from deep within the record groove.

Adding products to lower the surface tension of the solution will not improve the effectiveness of the fluid, it's a step in the wrong direction.

I hope that this answers this question. I'd would also like to thank all of you for your continued support of our cleaning fluids.

Kind regards,
Brian Weitzel
RRL

IME when RRL Deep Cleaner sheets instead of beading up it's usually a sign that:

- I applied too much solution or,

- the record is incredibly, deep-down filthy or,

- the record is groove-damaged.

The less "wet" the RRL solutions act on a record, the cleaner and less damaged it's likely to be.

That makes sense Dave since as I indicated above, I was noticing more beading on brand new never played LPs. Really glad I asked the question and thanks to Brian Weitzel for the clarification. In case you happen to read this Brian, what kind of brush do you use or recommend, and should RRL Super Wash be applied directly to the record (the way I do it) or to the brush as I've read some others do?

In previous conversations, Brian told me he prefers to spread RRL fluids with CF brushes, the same kind you dry brush with, using one for DC and one for VW.

I've tried those, the Last brushes, painting pads from Walmart and DD brushes. DD brushes work best and CF brushes are a close second. The CF brushes will occasionally shed a fiber. If your RCM doesn't pull the fiber out of a groove, your stylus will. Still, if I didn't have DD brushes I'd use CF. Those zillions of tiny fibers do a great job of getting the RRL fluids down into the grooves.