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Record Cleaners / RCMs

I've been reading with interest in previous posts about how important it is to have a record cleaning machine. I can understand the great importance of cleaning records using the scrub/vaccuum mechanisms of these RCMs if the records are filled with finger prints, or were purchased second hand (and require a deep cleaning) but what about newly purchased vinyl? If one has purchased vinyl new, and has taken extreme care of his records in the past(ie..not touching the playing surface with dirty fingers, lightly cleaning the playing surface with an old discwasher pad, etc) would it be benficial to use an RCM. I've not seen these RCMs up close, but it would appear that the scrubbing and vaccumming of these machines might possibly do more damage than good.

When I purchased my Linn Axis many years ago, I was told by the Linn dealer that one did not need to clean the records (if you didn't smugdge them up with finger prints,etc). He had said the time that cleaning pads such as the discwasher did more damage than good. Armed with that advice, I stopped using the discwashwer as well.

I'm about to bring out my record collection again after storing them the past 15 years. Should I clean them using the discwasher?....or perhaps get an entry level RCM? Or should I continue to do what my Linn dealer told me before and not clean them at all?

I would appreciate your comments.

calgarian
calgarian5355
calgarian5355 OP
146 posts
 
Thank you for your responses. Interestingly enough, when I acquired my Linn Axis, my dealer had given me the semi-abrasive green mylar squares to clean my stylus. I'm not sure if they ever were effective or not. I don't think the green pieces could remove any larger deposits on the stylus.

I have a question about the KAB EV1: if I connect my home central vac to this unit, will it not short out my central vaccuum motor? Unless you're using a shop vac, I don't think most vaccuum systems were designed for wet and dry suction. I think the same thing would apply to someone connecting their stand-up/upright vaccuum to the KAB as well. How much fluid is used to clean one LP?

calgarian
hdm
1,062 posts
 
The KAB traps all the fluid. As such, it can be used with a wet or dry vac and I use it with a Filter Queen dry vac. KAB does not recommend its use with very high powered shop vacs; your central vac would be fine with it.

As to fluid usage, it will probably depend on what system and brushes you are using and perhaps what fluid you are using. I have a scrap turntable (arm ripped off, motor still functioning) beside my KAB for applying the fluid. I use the RRL fluids. Using carbon fibre brushes, you need to get enough fluid on the record simply to have the fluid pooling in front of the brush. Not very much and having the fluid puddling all over the record will not get you a cleaner record than using a minimal amount. I use a pipette/eye dropper to apply the fluid to the record before brushing, about 7-8 decent sized drops from inner to outer edge. $70 Cnd. worth of RRL (Super Deep and SVW) will clean approximately 250-300 records using this method.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
I used an old Hoover upright motor when I built my DIY RCM a few years back. If you are cleaning properly there should not be much liquid and it won't hurt anything.

I believe in cleaning new records. Better safe than sorry.

As for cleaning the sylus, do a search for Mr. Clean Magic Eraser here and over on AudioAsylum. This works very well.

Best,

Dan
wberdan
86 posts
 
I also clean all new records- I clean every record that comes into my collection these days on my Loricraft and place them into polylined paper sleeves after. All the new records I buy have a lot of static build up and collect dust like a Swiffer. Once they get cleaned, the static build up is gone. That in itself is a good reason to clean them. In my comparisons though, I do really believe that new records that are cleaned do stay cleaner longer, and also play cleaner loonger than new records that arn't. That is just my experience-

Will
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
With several records I have purchased used and that, after an inital wet vac cleaning with a VPI 16.5 and Record Research solutions, still have a bit of surface noise, I have found that going back with the Deep Cleaner and the Musical Fidelity sponge, just scrub with fairly hard pressure for about 20 revolutions and then a brief "rinse" with Super Wash, helps greatly in reducing surface noise and results in bringing out all the dynamic detail of the recording. There is no way I am damaging the recording, just getting the deeply seated gunk in the groove out. And the point of cleaning is to do this until the improvement reaches a plateau. Sometimes the gunk in the groove needs time and patience to solubilize so that it can be removed by the vaccum. The combination of fluid, time and pressure with the right sponge brush is the answer.

And I always clean new ones too with RR Super Wash.
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