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Cleaning Records

I have a rather small record collection made up of about 25% new records, 25% old albums that I've purchased from local shops, and 50% old albums of my dad's that have been sitting in the garage for a good 10 years.
As far as cleaning goes, I guess the obvious part is buying a carbon-fiber brush to dust them off before each play, but I'm lost as to what I should do to REALLY clean them. I only spent about $400 on my turntable, so buying a VPI record cleaner used for $800 doesn't seem right for me right now. Are there any cleaners that do a comprabale job for under $100 if possible, possibly $200. How should I go about cleaning without a cleaning machine? People have talked about washing their records. Does this process actually include holding the record in the sink and pouring deionized water over it? How would I clean it?
If I were to clean it with a cloth, would I move around the record in circles as opposed to moving from the label outward? I've seen a lot of "record-cleaning solutions". How does one use these? Just mix it in water and pour it on the record? Wouldn't it harm the record to actually apply force to it when "scrubbing"?
I found a bottle of D4 that I bought a while ago. Should I use it? And if yes, do I dillute it in water first?
I'm obviously very new to all of this, and I would appreciate any help.
boxingnun
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
I clean my records if I know cleaning will save them.
If cleaning will not save them I simply let them go to the backyard and replace them with better copy if neccessary.
Having established a great record collection, I acquired VPI HW16.5 and cleaned almost the whole collection whereever it was neccessary using VPI supplied liquid and than acquired a gallon of Nitty Gritty fluid.
Than I sold VPI since my record will only need sweaping for I guess next 10...12 years. They're all stored in polylined sleeves in good jackets(I always repair edge-,corner-, and ring- weared jackets with masking tape to preserve its life).
motdathird
77 posts
 
There seems to be a lot of approaches to cleaning records. Some are sound and others are just downright destructive. I suggest checking out the thread on this site called "record-playing rituals". There is a debate as to whether using alcohol is a wise thing especially anything more than a 10% solution.
hififile
236 posts
 
I've used several of the above methods with pretty good results. The one that works best for me is the "DECCA" carbon fiber brush followed by a Gruv Glide treatment. This method for me actually makes the record sound better, and the static is virtually eliminated. I did not get good results from the discwasher D4 fluid & brush, it just lined up the dirt, and did little to get rid of the static problem.

Essential groove has a the lowest price I found on gruv glide www.essentialgroove.com, or go to www.gruvglide.com

hope this helps, happy listening..
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,124 posts
 
Jfrech suggested the Premier record cleaner and I would agree with him. I use it in conjunction with a Sota record cleaner. I pretreat with the Premier and then use the Sota cleaning fluid.
I have been quite surprised by how well this product works on old and appearantly beat up vinyl.
I know you don't have much money in your TT but it would still be a good idea to look into a used record cleaner. The VPI you mentioned is a great cleaner, even at that price, but there are many more including the record doctor which cost considerably less and will keep your collection in good shape for years of continued listening. Playing a dirty record can/will damage both the LP and the cartridge. Regardless of the method you use do a good job a cleaning the LPs and you will ultimately be much happier with what you already own.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
you can use alcohol if you want to help vinyl to age faster.
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