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Wish some company would make something adequate for cleaning cart clips.

100.35.67.208
Posted on March 24, 2017 at 12:50:24
Rick W
 The mm cart I've been using for over 3 years employs a user replaceable stylus which can be inserted without taking the cart off my arm tube. Due to that I hadn't removed the clips from the pins since I mounted the cart over 3 years ago. Finally decided to clean clips/pins yesterday. Man, the clips were filthy inside and out.

The only thing that fit inside my clips was a toothpick. I first sprayed a small amount of Deoxit on a toothpick, inserted it and gently "rubbed" the inside of the clip. After waiting a minute I inserted a clean/dry toothpick and likewise gently rubbed inside of clip. This is obviously a pretty ineffective cleaning job, but nevertheless I was pretty surprised how much black was on the toothpick.

I used pipe cleaners to clean the pins, but they are way too thick to fit inside my clips. I realize there are different size clips, but damn, with all the different vinyl related tools/tweaks available wouldn't ya think somebody would offer a product with at least a couple different thicknesses that we could use to clean the inside of cart clips?

 

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Found interesting posts here, and I have used tube socket brushes as well., posted on March 24, 2017 at 13:02:06
alaskahiatt
Audiophile

Posts: 7508
Joined: December 9, 2000
Contributor
  Since: November 1, 2005
 nt

 

Proxabrush, posted on March 24, 2017 at 13:08:48
briggs
Audiophile

Posts: 1674
Location: Connecticut
Joined: April 16, 2002
 Go to the dental department and buy a proxabrush, which is made for brushing between teeth. There is a variety of them available. You should be able to find one that works for you.

 

Deoxit inadequate?, posted on March 24, 2017 at 13:53:48
bare
Audiophile

Posts: 1879
Joined: April 14, 2009
 Surprised as applying a wee drop of DeOxit..should/ Would be All required 'electrically'. Rest is cosmetic IMO,

 

Guys, its not that Deoxit is inadequate, and yes, dental brushes would fit (didn't have any at hand)., posted on March 24, 2017 at 14:19:50
Rick W
 But AFAIK when using anything like Deoxit to clean connections ya don't just spray it on and that's it. It needs to be wiped clean after spraying otherwise both oxidation and residue will remain inside. At least the toothpicks I used are wood and somewhat porous, so they did soak up enough for me to see the black on 'em. But dental brushes are not porous. They're cool for "scrubbing" and applying Deoxit but will not adequately soak up the cleaner and grunge left inside cart clips.

I was talking about a desired product that was both small and stiff enough to fit inside clips and porous enough to get them clean. Don't know of anything like that. Though I'm sure my clips are cleaner than they were, I'm equally sure that if I could wipe up what's left inside it'd be easy to see that there is grunge still inside my clips. Nevertheless, I'll be changing carts fairly soon and will then clean the inside of my clips again with dental brushes. Thanks for the replies.

 

RE: Guys, its not that Deoxit is inadequate, and yes, dental brushes would fit (didn't have any at hand)., posted on March 24, 2017 at 14:59:25
bcowen
Audiophile

Posts: 1076
Location: North Carolina
Joined: December 19, 2015
 Try the ones at the link below. Work nicely for me.

 

RE: I clean first with acetone..., posted on March 24, 2017 at 15:36:47
user510
 Using round cocktail toothpics to scrub the inside surfaces of the clip. I have some Deoxit but these days I use it very sparingly. In truth, I think the acetone is very effective at removing surface oxidation oil and grunge. A small modelers paint brush can be ok for applying the acetone overall, but, as noted above, round toothpicks for getting the insides scrubbed.

-Steve

 

Whuddya know. Seems like exactly what I was looking for. Just ordered some. Thanks! nt, posted on March 24, 2017 at 15:58:51
Rick W
 nt

 

Thanks for posting this again. I forgot to order some last time. nt, posted on March 24, 2017 at 18:51:08
alaskahiatt
Audiophile

Posts: 7508
Joined: December 9, 2000
Contributor
  Since: November 1, 2005
 nt

 

RE: Proxabrush..... got some, posted on March 24, 2017 at 18:54:54
user510
 yup, nice idea.
These are cheap enough to pick up at your local pharmacy/grocery store.
I'll try some next time!

-Steve

 

yeah, Proxabrush, posted on March 24, 2017 at 20:00:03
hifitommy
Audiophile

Posts: 15388
Location: canyon country califiornia, orig from buffalo ny
Joined: June 9, 2000
 just what i was thinking, i think of them being used that way every time i see them.
...regards...tr

 

The best thing you can do...., posted on March 24, 2017 at 20:52:02
EdAInWestOC
Audiophile

Posts: 6828
Location: Glen Burnie, MD USA
Joined: December 18, 2003
 After you clean the cartridge "clips" is apply Mapleshade Silclear to the posts on the cartridge. A little will do. It will make a difference and you can hear the effect immediately.

Silclear is great stuff but the most important place to use it is on the posts that extend from the back of the cartridge. Very highly recommended.

Ed
Life is analog...digital is just samples thereof

 

RE: Wish some company would make something adequate for cleaning cart clips., posted on March 24, 2017 at 22:57:45
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23904
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Cartridge clips should not need cleaning. They should be gold plated. If yours are not gold, you should replace them with gold cartridge clips and always use Caig DeoxIT Gold liberally on the clips and cartridge pins. The cartridge pins should also be gold. They should remain clean if you use DeoxIT Gold on the connections.

Good luck,
John Elison

 

Just make sure to mix it well first or you're in for a world of..., posted on March 25, 2017 at 10:47:52
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31879
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 plain.

"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Plain...as in..., posted on March 25, 2017 at 17:05:42
fishy
Audiophile

Posts: 1031
Joined: April 15, 2002
 "The plain, the plain..."

Sorry,
Dan

 

De plain, de plain..., posted on March 26, 2017 at 13:37:23
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31879
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 actually, plain as in , well, dead.

"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

How do cartridge clips get filthy?, posted on March 28, 2017 at 10:38:31
Bronica S2A
Audiophile

Posts: 90
Location: S.E. Lower Michigan
Joined: May 15, 2005
 Mystery to me.
"When we look into the deepest space with our most powerful telescopes, we see only the past"

 

You never clean rca, spade, banana or power plug connections?, posted on March 28, 2017 at 11:37:31
Rick W
 Most of us do. Why you'd think cart connections are different is a mystery to me.

 

Mine don't seem to get filthy!, posted on March 28, 2017 at 11:46:25
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23904
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I don't have any problems with cartridge clips. Of course, I always use Caig DeoxIT Gold on all connections and I've never had any electrical problems from cartridges, even those with removable headshells. Again, I always use Caig DeoxIT Gold on the contact pins each time I reconnect a removable headshell. All my cartridge clips and pin contacts are gold plated and they always look clean to me. I just don't have problems but I'm meticulous in applying Caig DeoxIT Gold to all connections each time I reconnect anything. That stuff is a lifesaver!

 

RE: You never clean rca, spade, banana or power plug connections?, posted on March 28, 2017 at 12:16:16
Bronica S2A
Audiophile

Posts: 90
Location: S.E. Lower Michigan
Joined: May 15, 2005
 You own the rca, spade, banana and power plug statements. I stated that I couldn't understand why cartridge clips ever get 'filthy'. I, like Mr. Elison, use Deoxit on cart pins if they look dirty, oxidised, etc. before ever inserting clips into them. I've never had to clean cart clips in my life.
"When we look into the deepest space with our most powerful telescopes, we see only the past"

 

Jeez, did you actually read my OP?, posted on March 28, 2017 at 12:26:22
Rick W
 Did you read that my cart has been connected continuously for 3 years? Have you EVER had a cart connected continuously for 3 years without any cleaning/spraying whatsoever? Somehow I doubt it. Do you think cart connections are airtight and allow zero dust/dirt to enter and accumulate over a 3 year period?

 

RE: Jeez, did you actually read my OP?, posted on March 28, 2017 at 12:43:47
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23904
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Actually, I did read your post, but I will make it a point next time to respond before ever reading another one of your posts.

Thanks for the suggestion! ;-)

 

You're so right. I just imagined my clips were dirty. nt, posted on March 28, 2017 at 13:57:33
Rick W
 nt

 

Thanks, I look forward to further pronouncements in response to nothing I say :-) nt, posted on March 28, 2017 at 17:33:21
Rick W
 nt

 

RE: Mine don't seem to get filthy!, posted on April 18, 2017 at 11:22:57
oilmanmojo
Audiophile

Posts: 225
Location: Louisiana
Joined: August 31, 2007
 in 50 years of playing records don't think i have ever cleaned a cartridge clip. Now i will have to go home and look at them. Not sure i will clean as the music always sounds great. I have cleaned the old resistance pots for volume, etc with deoxit, but never a clip, spade, rca, etc.
oilmanmojo

 

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