Birdyy8, using a different brush for each step is a very good idea. Other than a paint pad for spreading my enzyme cleaner I've gotten to where I use those cheap VPI brushes almost exclusively. Those white ones with the felt that come in packs of ten. I use a different one for successive step which should be dealing with less dirt and crude. Once the brushes get dirty I just throw them away and grab some new ones out of the package. Obviously, the brush used in the first step or two get dirty pretty quick. I find I can clean 5-10 LP's with each brush depending on how clean the vinyl is in the beginning.
I really don't know why anyone would want to touch the vinyl with anything except a stylus after the RRL Super Vinyl Wash is vacuumed off. If it's not clean at that point you need to go back and clean again.
A good enzyme cleaner is a must to have on hand. I've been using the AI solutions since Paul first made it available and have been using RRL products for much longer. The AI does do a good job on really grungy vinyl but I don't use it on every LP I bring home nor do I use it for maintenance cleanings. So one order can last a long time. I'm also of the opinion that if you have RRL Super Vinyl Wash you don't need to pay more for the AI purified water which is the third step in their regimen. I don't remember if AI states that it is necessary to use their alcohol based step two cleaner after their enzyme cleaner or not. I do use it because I think there are detergents as well as enzymes in that first solution so I expect the AI step two to remove this stuff as well. It could be that Vinyl-Zyme followed by RRL Super Deep Cleaner is just as effective and less work. I'll have to try that in the future.
It is interesting that Lloyd Walker's new product advises mixing his enzyme solution in amounts small enough to clean a few LP's at a time. If I understand correctly, his theory is that the enzymes are more effective when first mixed and then lose some of that effectiveness after a short period of time. I have no idea if this is true, but this is the first enzyme-based vinyl cleaner I've heard of make this claim.
Happy cleaning!
