LP care


I've made the commitment to get back into vinyl, purchasing a VPI Classic 'table with Lyra Delos cartridge. routed through an ARC PH-5 to Ayre amplification and on to Vandy 5A's. Recognizing the importance of a quality RCM, I also bought a VPI 16.5, so all the basic elements for vinyl enjoyment are there. (Approximately one week until everything arrives and can be set up!)

With all that lengthy background, my question is: what are the most effective record cleaning fluids. I have to admit that I am getting high-centered over the range of choices: regular cleaning fluid, "deep" cleaning fluid, enzymatic cleaner, rinses, etc. etc. etc.

This is especially topical for me, as 80+% of the albums I will be playing have been in storage (and not always perfectly clean storage at that) for 2-3 decades. Plus other music I want to acquire is probably only going to be available used, so good cleaning is important for that, too.

Second question: I assume that once one has cleaned a record with a vacuum RCM, that it remains relatively clean and doesn't need RCM treatment for every listening; instead, it simply needs to be wiped with a brush to remove dust and static before playing (assuming nothing odd happens). True?

Sorry for the long question, but figure the more detail I give, the more useful input I'll get. I'm hoping to tap the expertise of those on this forum -- and please feel free to simply point me to existing material, either in the form of previous threads here or other on-line resources.

Thanks to all, and happy listening!
dawgfish
And of course steam-cleaning the dirtier records. I couldn't find the highly recommended steamer noted in threads here, so I bought a Rowenta hand steamer at Target (a bad company to workers, unfortunately), albeit with a heavy heart.

Again the steam-cleaning allows for heavy rinses, and I add steam to enzymatic cleaning as well, when it seems 'like the thing to do.'

I can't believe how many people complain that the vpi 16.5 is too noisy. The turntable motor is not loud. And the vacuum motor. Well, umm, it IS a vacuum cleaner. AND you only need have it on for about 3-6 seconds at a time (two or three rotations of the LP). I found it hilarious that folks sometimes compare it to a plane taking off, or require wearing earplugs. I dunno, maybe mine's unusually quiet, but I use it on the floor atop a carpet.

The pain is in emptying the dirty fluid from reservoir. BUT it looks like really dirty water --or fine amber-color, peat-flavored smoky scotch--depending on how you view brown water-based liquids.

That vacuum thing is like the din of armageddon...like a thousand thunderclaps in your hat...Niagra Falls next to your lounge chair...Joan Rivers living in your eustachian tube...my ex wife in the passenger seat...
That will never work, Wolfy. Every knows that when you spin the record it creates its own gravity field and that holds all of the particles of crud tight to the surface.

MAkes about as much sense as your "Nature abhors a vacuum" statement. ;-)
Wolf,
Have you ever compared a vacuum cleaner to the Spin Clean? I rest my case.
I'm curious what's the next step beyond wet-vacuuming and beyond steam-cleaning/vacuuming, and beyond enzymatic cleaners, and beyond fine fibers, and so forth among the 'out, damn'd snap, crackle, pop' crowd of half-mad Lady MacBeth vinyl clarity obsessives?

Other than, umm, buying a new album and treating it with TLC. I do THAT when I can to.

I'm trying to exorcise the dust demons of my living collection rather than having to replace them all--and much of the more obscure stuff has not been reissued anyway.

"Out, damn'd spot! out, I say!—One; two: why, then 'tis time to do't.—Hell is murky.—Fie, my lord, fie, a soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our pow'r to accompt?—Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?"

revised for vinylists as:
"Out, damn'd snap, I say!--One, two: why, then 'tis time to do't. Vinyl is murky, and hell too.... What need we fear who knows it?"