RE: Record Cleaning Solution....

Posted by 13th Duke of Wymbourne (A) on February 4, 2021 at 15:35:06

In Reply to: Record Cleaning Solution.... posted by Ivan303 on February 3, 2021 at 13:09:22:

I recently started cleaning vinyl. I am using Tergikleen, which is blend of two types of Tergitol (supposedly they work in a synergistic way but I am not a chemist). The manufacturer states not to add IPA though some on-line users do. I used about 10 drops in a liter of DI water - that solution does not foam but it does 'wet' on a record and I can get a uniform film that I let sit for a minute before the manual light scrubbing. I wonder about rinsing though, DI water does not wet on vinyl so I scrub it into the grooves as much as I can then vacuum, and I do that twice to be sure. Very dirty records come out clean with much less ticks & pops and new records do seem to sound more open. Now that my first batch of washing solution is nearly done I might experiment by adding some IPA and see if it makes a difference to discs that still have underlying crackling or makes a difference to the sound of new discs.

Over the last four decades I never paid too much attention to record cleaning but now my rig is restored and embellished. We have cats, and cat fur gets everywhere. Often I'll see a strand of cat fur on a disc and use a carbon brush to remove it only to find it brings up a huge line of dust from the grooves. Post washing the dust is all gone and I only have to brush off the odd strand of cat fur that falls on the disc from sleeve to platter (and I play lid-down for peace of mind)

I'm really glad I got into record cleaning, for anyone concerned about the cost of entry I'm using a Vinyl Bug - all in with separate wash and rinse vacuum arms (use the mesh cloth rather than the micro-fibre covering), cleaning solution and the cheapest Home Depot shop vac the total cost is ~$200. Also I prefer Home Depot paint pads (~$4) over bespoke brushes ($20+) to apply fluids. And you can get DI (reverse osmosis filtered + de-ionized water) from Wholefoods for 60c a gallon (BYOB).

Regards,
13DoW

https://vinylbug.net/ (Open in New Window)

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Record Cleaning Solution.... - Ivan303 13:09:22 02/03/21 (16)

RE: Record Cleaning Solution.... - 13th Duke of Wymbourne 15:35:06 02/04/21 (0)

That's real close to what I use, but I have a warning about the Triton X-100. - alaskahiatt 17:44:15 02/03/21 (13)

Triton X-100 - Lew 08:35:49 02/04/21 (5)

Thanks Lew for the seam idea, but it definitely was not mishandled. - alaskahiatt 12:00:25 02/04/21 (2)

I read it as mishandled sometime in production (or possibly distribution?)... - musetap 12:46:50 02/04/21 (1)

Ah, okay. I wasn't upset by the comment anyway. Amazing how - alaskahiatt 13:06:35 02/04/21 (0)

Several lifetiime's supply, at 1/2 a liter's worth - Ivan303 08:45:24 02/04/21 (1)

Agree - Lew 08:53:29 02/04/21 (0)

date codes - Story 02:51:24 02/04/21 (4)

Story, I have a story about plastic bottle leaching. - alaskahiatt 12:14:45 02/04/21 (3)

Next time have the Sommelier carry the wine! (nt) - 13th Duke of Wymbourne 16:49:13 02/04/21 (2)

Headed for the dictionary. Be right back. nt - alaskahiatt 19:55:51 02/04/21 (1)

RE: Headed for the dictionary. Be right back. nt - Story 08:19:49 02/05/21 (0)

Wow, I best consider decanting into glass as some point... - Ivan303 19:56:15 02/03/21 (1)

I have read that nonionic surfactants like Triton X-100, Tergitol, and - alaskahiatt 20:05:32 02/03/21 (0)

RE: Record Cleaning Solution.... - peteSF 15:59:54 02/03/21 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: Record Cleaning Solution.... - 13th Duke of Wymbourne 15:35:06 02/04/21 (0)

RE: Record Cleaning Solution....

Post a Message!