overwhelmed by record rituals


Hi all-

I'm new to vinyl and starting to build a collection. Because I am just buying new audiophile quality vinyl (so far) it never occurred to me I should be washing the vinyl before I play it. So far my process has been to use a bit of Last stylus cleaner on the stylus (maybe after every 3 or 4 plays) and to use an Audioquest brush on the record before dropping the needle. I am starting to get some pops and clicks, though, so wondering if I should be doing more. I read through record rituals and I am a bit overwhelmed and looking for a simple process. My first question is if I should invest in a record cleaning machine before I invest in more vinyl? Is VPI a decent (modestly priced) one? Second, this article in Stereophile on Last record preservation made me wonder if I should be doing that?
http://www.stereophile.com/content/last-record-preservation-treatment
So I guess that would mean my process might be VPI (or other record cleaner) for a new record (and periodically, I'm assuming, after that) followed by a one time treatment with Last record preservative. Using the carbon Audioquest brush and Last stylus cleaner as I have been all along?

Any guidance?

Thanks!

mc
mcanaday
Quite welcome, Margot. The historical aspects of recorded music are what really intrigue me- both the technical aspects and the musical/creative ones.

Re the glue thing, I never tried it, some people on the Hoffman forum who are avid collectors have used it for records that are beyond conventional help. There is another product called "Revirginizer' from Australia that is intended to do the same thing, like a facial 'masque'/peel designed for vinyl. And there's a recipe for a home brew of the same type of stuff floating around the Web (which I haven't tried either).
Hi, Whart-

Is this what you mean by wand and pillar?

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3560-vpi-pickup-tube-holder.aspx

Thanks again!

Margot
06-29-15: Zd542
Has anyone tried cleaning records with glue?

It's all true, but figure out how much time takes to clean 1 record.
Margot- yes. that's both. Eventually, you replace just the wand when the velvety stuff wears out.
I don't know if there is any size difference between older 16.5 and the current production, I doubt it, but just to be sure, you should check. My VPI is ancient, which speaks well of the brand.