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Is it the Windex?

When I first got back into this hobby I started buying used LP's from the dealer across the street. Very nice guy starting his own store. Prices seemed reasonable, quality was OK. I got some very nice stuff.

Over the past 2 years LP's have risen from a "usual" $3-7.99 to $7 - 15. I've also noticed that whether they're described as near mint or VG++ they have continuous pops and ticks even after I clean them with L'Art du Son and Disc Doctor Quick Wash Record Cleaner on my VPI 16.5.

Though I can hear crisp grooves on the better discs the popcorn noise drives me nuts.

Lately, I've notice he stands behind the counter cleaning records with Windex and paper towels. Is he doing something with that that trashes the records beyond redemption?

I've made up my mind to quit buying from him altogether, though he's the nicest guy in the world. The stuff I get from E*bay and Goodwill cleans up better.

Any thoughts?
joe_in_seattle
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
I suspect that microscopic particles of paper are what you're hearing.

Windex is basically water, isopropanol, ammomina, and blue dye I believe. Isopropanol evaporates residue free but there may a small amount of residual dye.

Speak with the fellow about what you hear. Maybe you can help him learn how to clean the records properly.
schipo
1,268 posts
 
I will agree the windex ain't good but it's better then a brillo pad. I would not avoid buying from him because of the use of windex. Just take home what ever you purchase and give it a run on the VPI. This should remove most if not all of the windex.
jependleton
155 posts
 
The ingredients in the Windex will have a tendency to harden, rather than remove, certain protein-based contaminants. These ingredients will also tend to trap and hold micro-dust from the paper towels.

He's actually making the records much harder to clean properly.

Jim Pendleton
Osage Audio Products, LLC
Post removed 
hdm
1,062 posts
 
Almost any time someone wet cleans a record without vacuuming it, as far as I'm concerned they are making it much harder to clean effectively even if you have a great cleaning regimen that includes vacuuming. Think about it: anything that is left over in those grooves that dries simply solidifies in there making it that much more difficult to remove.

Most of the "unsalvageable" records I've bought have showed signs of a previous improper wet cleaning, usually evidenced by signs of dried fluid in the leadout grooves. I'd rather buy a record that looks totally filthy and shows no signs of fluid on the record than one that looks not bad but has "dried fluid" anywhere on the record. I would not want to buy a record like that without a return privelege unless it was very cheap.
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