Results from Beta Testers of New Formulas


Hi everyone,

Please use this thread to post the results of your testing of the 2-step formulas. Thank you.

Best regards,
Paul Frumkin
paul_frumkin
Doug: I've commented on the "beading up vs surface penetration" area of this discussion in threads where Brian did respond. As far as i know, neither he nor anyone else has refuted the comments that i've made about a lack of penetration below the surface resulting in a lack of deep cleaning. Besides learning about this type of stuff from a Chemical Engineer that used to work for NASA, it would seem to be a matter of common sense. After all, if you can't get below the surface, you can't clean below the surface. Since most of the "grundge" resides in the "nooks & crannies" of a disc, a solvent that lacks proper penetration below surface level can only do a superficial job of cleaning. This is probably why Joe aka Jphii was still pulling "gobs of grundge" off of what he assumed were "previously cleaned" discs. They might have been "cleaned", but to what extent was up to the previous solvents & methods used. Sean
>
Sean and all,

I don't dispute the need to break surface tension with some materials, but without knowing what stuff came off Jphii's records I would hesitate to say that heavy does of surfactant is the answer to all cleaning issues. Perhaps it is the enzymes or surfactant or the combination of the two. Just like setting up a system, there are trade-offs. Surfactants can be your friend but they can also work against you when trying to get everything back off the vinyl.

I just want to echo the thanks to all the testers out there. The results so far have me salivating for this PRCF solution as well.

I do have a question for you testers. Especially those, like Joe, who are seeing lots of stuff come off of what you thought where clean LP's. That is, do you see any deposits on the brushes you are using?
Dan_ed,

I started out with new Last brushes which are white for applying Paul's cleaning formulas. I first cleaned the records in my usual fashion which, IMO, is very thorough using brushes which were not new. When cleaning with Paul's stuff, I did notice more grunge on the new brushes. Understand, I don't have a lot of this fluid to waste and followed the directions to the letter. The ammount of dirt on these new brushes was not as great as you might believe from reading the above posts but it was noticeable, no doubt. I've understated my findings for fear of appearing as a shill for Paul. Again, I have no affiliation with Paul other than being a voluntary Beta tester, nor will I be entering any business relationship with him. I'd buy this stuff in a heartbeat and use it without fear but I can understand completely the concerns raised by others as far as leeching is concerned.

Unless I make some new discovery while using these fluids I'm going to end my postings to this thread with the following summary:

This stuff is good. It beats anything I've used by a wide margin. There are sonic benefits beyond reduced surface noise. The anti-static properties are a definite benefit. A little bit goes a long way. I've also found that used albums that are marginal in condition (visible scratches, poorly handled, very dirty, but don't look like they would skip) become very listenable. I've yet to clean any of my perfect audiophile pressing that I purchased new. I will do that without hesitation at some point but the excitement of otherwise noisy albums being quieted so much is where I'm concentrating my efforts. Remember, I've only got about one ounce of this stuff to play with.

For full disclosure to this group I offer the following also. I have contacted Paul requesting to buy the concentrate in whatever large quantity he would be willing to sell me. If the price was something I could afford at the time he would sell retail, I will try to buy a gallon of each. That would probably last me the rest of my life. Of course, with that kind of quantity I would be tempted to occassionaly gift a small amount to others along the way for them to try like has been done for me by other kind Audigon members.

If anyone has any questions for me I will be happy to respond to any emails or phone calls. I hope I've not appeared to "go over the top" with my recommendation but the temptation is there to do so. Again, it's that good.
Dan_ed,
So far, I'm not seeing any gunk on my brushes, however I am seeing more "dry fuzz" after a cleaning session on the velvet portion of the vacuum arm tube( VPI 16.5). More stuff is getting sucked out of the vinyl.
This, the lower amount of dust accumulating on the stylus and the shinier surfaces lead me to conclude that records are just "darn cleaner".
I do still have clicks & pops that aren't disappearing with some of the LPs, but some are definitely gone. Background groove noise is reduced, resulting in apparent increased dynamics.
I've got enough left to clean about 3-4 more LPs, so I want to take my time and look for the best candidates...

Sean, welcome back from your vacation. It's always nice when friends return home.
Cheers, Spencer
Hi Sean,
I'm not sure why you addressed that to me. I'm no chemist, so engaging me in a theoretical discussion of surfactant behaviors would waste my time and your brains! Confused here, as usual...