Can I clean my records manually?

Gadfly it's nice for you to see things on the inside of your eyelids. It saves money on cable and plasma tv. Then you will have money for your vpi.

I don't know how much money you can commit to record cleaning but if you can't committ to vpi 16.5 it's doubtful that you can enjoy the rarified air of a Loricraft.

It is the beauty of the vpi 16.5 that the microfiber pad pad on the tube allows it to get a vaccum seal without damaging the record. Not impossible but a daunting task for a DIY.

By tinkering I did not mean record cleaning,I meant building the machine and mixing the fluids. I actually enjoy the purication ritual.

I thought that by pointing out that a vpi 16.5 package could cost a weeks salary was an expression of symapthy for those who were unable or not inclined to pay it. Given my limited mechanical skills I would prefer to work overtime and save the money rather than try to make it myself. It certainly would take me over forty hours to make such a machine.

I assure you you would not want to live in my world. Personally I have been trying to get into Carmen Electra's world. (I regard the restraining order as only a temporary setback.) (smile)

Finally, as the late Nina Simone sang, Oh God, Please don't let me be misunderstood"

Truth is, I would buy an expensive RCM in a heartbeat if I had the cash. Too bad for me. I have been thinking of at least getting the KAB so I don't have to spin by hand at least.

And to echo the original poster: "Am I that ignorant? Please, let me down easy."

Thanks for doing so. :-)

We are all ignorant to 99.99% of the worlds knowledge. That's why we need Audiogon and the internet.

i will be a record cleaning person tonight, got the cardinals and reds, go birds to watch while i go to it, i wait till i have 20 or more lps to clean, i have been hitting the used shops and have come up with a few jems for me, i will break out the lazy susan, mini shop vac, disc doctor cleaner and brushes, one for scrubing, the other for a double rinse with distilled water, it will take me at least a couple of hours, but no doubt about it you have to clean your lps to get way down into the music, btw this thread is a good one, as the auto and manual debate goes on,

Ok, so, since I started this post I decided to go the manual route. My routine has rendered many of my records down to only a few ticks per side with only one cleaning. Here it is:

1. Begin with a good steam bath! I have a clothes steamer which looks like a canister vacuum but actually shoots out steam instead of vaccuuming. The attachment is perfect for covering the surface of the record.

2. Scrub with Record Research Lab cleaner.

3. Another steam to rinse and lift out the crud

3. Vacuum with a shopvac.

Can someone tell me how a RCM could do a better job???? (Serious question not retorical!)