Whats the best record cleaning fluid?


I have a VPI record cleaning machine I got on audiogon. I need to buy or make a recoed cleaning fluid. Any recommendations or sugestions will be welcome.
128x128zeal
Zeal : The question asked can't be fully answered unless taking into account the method employed.

For instance, most differences in cleaning fluids have less to do with the manner in which they clean vs. the resudue left behind. Most $$$ record cleaners make claims they clean fast (they can) and leave almost no residue(perhaps). For years, I have experimented with Record Cleaning Machines ( most types on loan & including some proto-types) and fluids (some but not all types).

These experiences have demostrated that Steam Cleaning vinyl LPs to be vastly superior to cleaning w/ RCM's alone. A significant reason is that regardless of the cleaning fluid employed (home-brew to $$$$) fluids all leave a "sonic fingerprint" easily recognized for what it is, when a recording is steam cleaned (Nee: See Thread listed on Steam below). It appears most developers of record cleaning fluids do not steam clean recordings. So, few if any recognize the phenom exists or express a willingness to advertize that fact in leiu of developmental costs that could run into the $$$$$$$$.

Another record cleaning method that I use that is vastly superior to all record cleaning fluids , is experimental and not on the market at this time. Simply, I have "teamed-up" with a scientific group that has modified Bacteria to "eat" organic materals commonly found on vinyl either on the surface or in the groves. These engineered bacteria produce powerful enzymes which break down the organics to molescules small enought for these bacteria to consume, leaving only H20 and carbon dioxide as by-products that easily steam-off stopping the cleaning cycle. This method is safe to pets and Audioers but is exceedingly time consuming for most.

The sonic results are breath taking ; a pristine record grove reveals every nuance against as quite a backround to the limits of the recording technique employed. Of course, manufacturing defects, wear and former grove abuse never go away and may be heard when not formerly evident.
Crem: Sounds like Buggtussel Vinyl-Zyme solution that attacks molds with an enzymes... hope it makes it to market and is cheaper!

Anyone try SimplyGreen followed by some steaming?
Cytocycle : The difference is that enzymes you mention are non-living created in a lab and carry certian risks.

Bacteria create natural enzymes that break down the organics to a point they and the "food"(organic material) are actually digested , leaving nothing behind but water & Co2 -- Not bad.

Some european research audio-web sites alledge that micro-chains of "organic grease(s)" coupled to inorganics(factory & household dirts) make up the majority of what I term "gunk" that disrupts the LP playback by grunging the stylas. These bacteria consume molds - all types. This bacteria product was specifically invented to consume dangerious organics : It also insidentially consumes with great effectiveness those greases that grunge recordings.

The challenge to bringing the product to market have to do with process and time. Most audioers will not wait 30 minutes to clean a side regardless of the results , except die-hards (like me). Thats the challenge. Should we be able to reduce that time to minutes, you win and you will never return to the days of 'ol.

As for "simple green" I have used the product diluted down, on only LPs that are filthy dirty with soda or foods. Difficult to spray away but can be done. I have no scientific evidence that a green douse ages LPs but the product can leave a hard residue thats a *****.
Just how much of a sonic fingerprint could 91% isopropyl alcohol and distilled water leave behind?
Zeal : That's whats surprizing. To the naked eye we see nothing. But change that, go into the micro-world , thats where the tip of stylas contacts the LP , lots of different factors affecting reproduced sound.

Of course, what one is hears is dependent on what you own and the condition/quality of the playback hard / softwear.Nevertheless, the reported experiences of tens of dozens of persons that either use steam solo in combo with RCM's all acknowledge the improvment. Even "Stereophile" acknowledges the difference, for whatever that matters.

In summary, All record cleaning fluids leave a sonic fingerprint that Steam Cleaning with the purest H2O available removes. Personally, I have discovered the scientifically cleaner the H20 the better the over-all results. All the Best