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Record Cleaning brushes - experimentation?

I know we tend to beat the subject of record cleaning to death (but we all love it so much) - yet I don't remember seeing much of a discussion of record cleaning brushes.

I scrub my records when I clean them. I use mostly MoFi fluids and brushes, but since I recently bought my 2nd VPI machine, I've been experimenting with VPI fluid and brushes. The VPI brush seems a little hard and bristly, but after going back and forth with it versus that MoFi brushes, I'm not sure it doesn't get a little deeper into the grooves and perhaps dislodge a bit more debris. But I only use the VPI brush with the VPI fluid...so maybe it's in part the fluid I'm responding to. However, the MoFi enzyme-based fluid seems to dissolve some debris that the VPI doesn't catch (as I've noticed when I go back to VPI-cleaned Lps and do them over with MoFi). (In fact, I can go back after a MoFi cleaning and get some improvement with the VPI brush and fluid, but also go back after a VPI cleaning and get some improvement with the MoFi brushes and fluids.)

Probably the answer is to continue to mix and match, and on really problematic records, use it all. But I'm curious to hear from record-cleaning folks that have experimented with different brushes. What do you like? One, or another, or a combination?

Thanks
eweedhome
chashmal
605 posts
 
I agree. The VPI brush tends to do more than the MoFi brush for me.

I have given up on the VPI fluid. I think it is just detergent, alcohol, and water.

I am partially dissatisfied with MoFi fluids too (both enzyme and regular), however I still use them. I have found nothing better yet, and I think they are good enough except on the worst offenders. I guess the hardest to clean LP's will never be totally clean. Maybe my expectations are too high.
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
766 posts
 
I tested [the Evercare microfiber lint brush] many times on old vinyl and virgin vinyl without any scratching issues.

I've tested it, too, and it *did* scratch the blank test LP I used. YMMV. Buyer beware.
oilmanmojo
472 posts
 
nick
Sorry my recommendation impacted your vinyl. Do you use the brush wet or Dry. I have used routinely now for close to a year without scratching any record. I did a test on some blank vinyl as you did and did not have any problem. I only use the brush as part of a wet cleaning system with moderate pressure. I use a soft microfiber brush for sweeping a record prior to playing but even then i spray a light mist of distilled water and alcohol prior to cleaning. I still find evercare brush is the best brush i have ever used for the real grundgy records. i use a mitt made out of the same material with similar results. I have used it to clean my new David Gilmour Live in Gdansk and the record is flawless. Zero pops, clicks on every side.
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
766 posts
 
No apology necessary. I ran out and purchased an Evercare brush right after it was first recommended on the forum (a while back). However, my first test was to swirl it dry on a blank side of an LP. The brush left swirl marks in the vinyl, so I felt is was a "too much risk vs. the potential gain" solution. If you've got a process that works for you, that's all that matters. I was concerned that my process would damage my LPs.

I now use it on my clothes. Works great!!!
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