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I just put together a system and am back into the vinyl scene. I know that companies like vpi, nitty gritty, clearaudio and sota offer high quality record cleaning machines, but the price also goes with it. I understand that these machines jet a solution and then suck out the fluids which give the best possible cleaning for your lp's. I purchased some AM cleaning solution in a spray bottle, but find that you are only pressing the dirt, grime into the tracks on the album. I tried some mild discwashing soap, sponge, warm water. A bit better. I'm on a budget and would like to know any other options other than a 500$+ record cleaning machine.Thanks
Follow Ups:
I cleaned several hundred lps with the DD products, some microfiber cleaning towels, a dish rack and some distilled water. Labor intensive, but for about $100 and your time you can get very good results. Not quite as clean as with my VPI, but close enough that I waited a long time to buy it. Set up a card table in the listening room and clean while you listen.
Though maybe not "audiophile endorsed," I've been using the Groovmaster label protector for over a year now with very satisfactory results. This gizmo is sold directly by its inventor on eBay for about $40, IIRC. (The standard disclaimer applies: I have no connection to this product or guy.) It is a device with a handle that clamps down over the label of an LP or 45 so you can wet clean by hand in the kitchen sink.To me, the key advantage of this system is it allows me to blast a filthy yard sale record with a pressurized stream of water from the sink before any brushes ever touch the surface, stirring up whatever abrasive gunk may be embedded there.
Add record cleaning fluid of your choice. I've been using a water/dish soap/99% isopropyl alcohol blend. I apply this solution with the foam and velour "Shur-line" paint pads-on-a-stick from Home Depot for brushes. After thorough rinsing, I dry with clean cotton towels to reduce the likelihood of residue building up in the grooves. I've never tried a fancy vacuum RCM, but this method renders formerly grimy used records impressively quiet.
This method is only employed for "dirty" discs. Like one of the other posters in this thread, I use a carbon fiber brush before each play to remove any light dust buildup.
A few years ago I was in your situation and bought a Nitty Gritty record cleaner for around $200. It worked pretty well... but at some point I lost the brush so I bought the Disk Doctor kit (around $70?). It's more labor intensive than the machine but I think it does a better job. I never use the machine any more (willing to sell) and just air dry after cleaning... What I like about this method is that you remove contamination by multiple rinses instead of possibly evaporating the solution and leaving a residue (RCM + alcohol solution). Good luck...
I turned Eso onto the Disc Doctor fluids and brushes. Buy-in is roughly $80USD (IIRC), but it is worth it. I think many others will agree, DIY cleaning fluid is a false economy.I found that using the DD system, using old cotton diapers and air for drying, is much better than vacuum cleaning with lesser fluid. I know because I've done both.
The DD system with vacuum drying is incrementally better than DD with cotton/air dry, but not dramatically.
BTW DD is not the only fluid out there, just one that I've used with excellent results.
This is My DIY RCM. It is built in a rolling cabinet from Ikea and uses an old QRK broadcast TT for the chassis.This cabinet and TT are not the cheapest options, and it could be done much cheaper with some good Trift shopping. The Vacuum is modified from a "stinger" purchased at Home Depot for $29.95.
Whatever you do, don't cheap out on Brushes or solutions. I'm currently using Disc Doctor following some input from Tightwad.
The cabinet holds all of my cleaning goodies and closes up and rolls out of the way when not in use.
The link below show another slick DIY RCM.
Going completely manual, Many people just use some sort of platter and handhold a modified vacuum crevice tool for pickup.
Do a search. You don't have to spend a fortune, but I recommend that you don't skimp on the solutions and brushes.
eso
You aren't lying---this is nice, and it doesn't look hard to build...
It look very nice.My only gripe is that it would be awkward to use, having to crouch and work in the confined space while cleaning.
I don't do a full wet clean every time I listen. That is what the carbon fibre brushes are for. I give the recent aquisitions a good wet clean and other record that might be a bit noisy.
With my RCM, I put on some loud R&R and wheel the RCM over to my chair and clean a stack of records, Placing each one in a new rice-paper liner after cleaning both sides. When I'm done with the cleaning session, I roll the RCM into the corner and relax and have a good listen.
eso
There is the Audio Advisor record doctor III = $250As already mentioned the KAB EV-1 =$150
Then there is the shop vac crevice tool =$5 for the tool, $2 for some velvet or microfiber, and some time to fashion it.
I have a Nitty Gritty 2.5 FI that I purchased well used 15 years ago for $150. It is a quality piece of equipment as I have cleaned at least 5000 albums on it with no trouble, and I bought it used!
A buddy has the EV-1 and it is fine. You supply the vacuum. He uses the 1 gallon $20 Wallmart shop vac for this... (it comes with a crevice tool if that 'aint irony)
A vacuum record cleaner is a must in my book, easily the biggest bang for the buck in improving your vinyl playback no matter what device you choose!
--
Alan Gallacher
Born to Tinker!
I realize it's not exactly "budget" for some people, but for about $150, it is worth every penny.
A DIY RCM can be cobbled together for less than $100. Or in a ready to go version, the Record Doctor III from Audio Advisor for $229.
KAB also has inexpensive versions.
HenryNecessity is a mother . . .
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