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Record Cleaner Side Effects?

My vinyl collection is expanding and I am feed up with borrowing a friend's top of the line VPI ( before he can part with this holy grail of cleaning machines for the weekend I gotta kiss his _$$ , do a ceremonial bow down combined with backwards walking from the moment I leave his front door untill I can reach my car meanwhile he and his girlfriend smile at my display of graciousness. All this is happening fast enought so that the neihbors don't see the embarrassing display). Not really, but sometimes it feels like that when borrowing something expensive from someone else. Now to the point: Recently I came across an old issue of The Absolute Sound magazine and read an article in which the author was stating that record cleaning machines and their chemicals do more HARM than GOOD. The author did not state reasons/proof to validate his claim and instead he refered back to an earlier issue that covered his argument (and I don't happen to own this issue). I've always believed that record cleaning machines provide the best method for removing contaminants...we are after all taking the grime off the grooves aren't we? Any vinyl addicts here aware of reasons not to clean records using this method? Anybody hear about issues with the solvents more than the machine (new vs. old formulas, certain brands, chemical residues left behind on groves)? I am no expert on this subject and would like to get more input from someone more knowledgeable on this subject. I just know there are several vinyl gurus reading this that can shed some light. Also any recommendations on sub $500 machines (low end VPI, mid-upper end Nitty Gritty)? All info highly appreciated.
one_audiophile
abex
322 posts
 
I have a DECCA brush that has like a Miollion small horse hairs on it that I like to use just to bee on the safe side.A vacuum machine would also be recommended.

I really do not like to put solutions on anything that is going to have playback.If a record is buoght used I will definitely clean it and after that I use a brush.

There is no reason scientificly for the way I do things,it's just that I prefer it that way.

There are exceptions also.If an LP has been left out and such.
hififile
236 posts
 
Cleaning is very important and works for me. A system as simple as a "Decca" type brush followed by "Gruv Glide" has been my standard for nearly twenty years. I can't think of a single record that has been degraded.

For really dirty records Keith Monks (if you can find one), VPI, and Nitty Gritty wet washers have worked very well for me.

Hope this helps and Happy Listening!
detlof
1,899 posts
 
What I think interesting is, that a majority finds the washing and cleaning process essential and that at the same time there is a tiny minority of people who find the very same process detrimental to the quality of LP reproduction. In my experience and as I have stated above, neither party is delusional but truly on to something, which only then turns sour, if stated as an absolute. I still insist, that not every LP will not only NOT profit from a good cleaning, but will in fact lose some of its presence. Thankfully the number of those LPs which do not profit is tiny in comparison to those which in fact do. But also here, to my mind at least, there are no absolutes and one man's bliss is another man's poison.
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