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Post by dsonyay on Mar 8, 2019 22:05:20 GMT -5
I've noticed when acquiring really old used albums they need serious cleaning.. beyond what is normally used.
I'll think it's clean but the needle digs up tons of dirt.. a couple of times the needle got so dirty the sound distorted bad enough to where I had to clean the stylus ..
So I now have a label protector, and the album goes into the sink in a mild mix of water with a touch of mild detergent. Then the vinyl is scrubbed softly with a nylon brush (in direction of grooves). This seems to do the job.
But even then, sometimes the needle will still dig up more gunk here and there. I had to do a massive cleaning like that over a two session scrubbing to get a copy of Brubeck's Time Further Out clean.
It's like that with all old vinyl. Incredible. Anyone notice this too?
What's your recipe for thoroughly cleaning into the grooves?
I was given an old Wes Montgomery album -it had crud so hard to remove I ended up using one of those white "magic erasers" .. I wet it down well, then rubbed the vinyl..not hard, and it lifted up debris extremely well.. this worked fantastic and seemed to lift every particle between the grooves. I was actually amazed at this. Rinsed off with distilled water.. then used an album cleaning solution as normal.
Wow... What an amazing difference with the sound.. especially the pops and clicks.
YouTube is full of videos on cleaning really dirty vinyl.
Just curious as to how any of you guys do your cleaning with old stuff.
Anyone try the Titebond II trick? I've done that as a test on a very cruddy album I found for a dollar. It works really well too. But it's kinda a long drawn out process and only one side can be done at a time.
Happy weekend everyone.
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Post by adaboy on Mar 8, 2019 22:21:45 GMT -5
I've noticed when acquiring really old used albums they need serious cleaning.. beyond what is normally used. I'll think it's clean but the needle digs up tons of dirt.. a couple of times the needle got so dirty the sound distorted bad enough to where I had to clean the stylus .. So I now have a label protector, and the album goes into the sink in a mild mix of water with a touch of mild detergent. Then the vinyl is scrubbed softly with a nylon brush (in direction of grooves). This seems to do the job. But even then, sometimes the needle will still dig up more gunk here and there. I had to do a massive cleaning like that over a two session scrubbing to get a copy of Brubeck's Time Further Out clean. It's like that with all old vinyl. Incredible. Anyone notice this too? What's your recipe for thoroughly cleaning into the grooves? I was given an old Wes Montgomery album -it had crud so hard to remove I ended up using one of those white "magic erasers" .. I wet it down well, then rubbed the vinyl..not hard, and it lifted up debris extremely well.. this worked fantastic and seemed to lift every particle between the grooves. I was actually amazed at this. Rinsed off with distilled water.. then used an album cleaning solution as normal. Wow... What an amazing difference with the sound.. especially the pops and clicks. YouTube is full of videos on cleaning really dirty vinyl. Just curious as to how any of you guys do your cleaning with old stuff. Anyone try the Titebond II trick? I've done that as a test on a very cruddy album I found for a dollar. It works really well too. But it's kinda a long drawn out process and only one side can be done at a time. Happy weekend everyone. I use the spin clean with it's solution without issues.
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Post by Loop 7 on Mar 9, 2019 0:21:21 GMT -5
My pals use DIY ultrasonic machines.
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Post by 26gary26 on Mar 9, 2019 2:26:08 GMT -5
I use spin clean also and find it works really well. I also use the audio quest static brush which really cleans up the annoying tick sounds.
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Post by dsonyay on Mar 9, 2019 7:30:25 GMT -5
Do the Spin Machines work well with the really dirty albums? It seems the really old stuff has a lot of heavy build up in the grooves. That's the main thing I notice.
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Post by Priapulus on Mar 9, 2019 7:58:36 GMT -5
I've noticed when acquiring really old used albums they need serious cleaning.. beyond what is normally used. <snip> So I now have a label protector, <snip> What is a label protector? I use Spin clean also... I wonder if the difficult gunk is from tobacco smoke. It's residue is awful. /b
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Post by drtrey3 on Mar 9, 2019 8:38:48 GMT -5
I have the least expensive vacuum machine I could find, probably $200 from one of the catalog stores. I have to say probably because I have had it for at least a couple of decades. I do not like using it as the process is tedious and a bit boring and I would never do it if it did not make such a huge difference with even new records, much less grungy old ones!
Trey
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Post by 405x5 on Mar 9, 2019 8:52:28 GMT -5
The dishwasher works great for me. The labels come off but that’s ok..... One spin and I know which is which! 🤥
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Post by dsonyay on Mar 9, 2019 9:14:06 GMT -5
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Post by dsonyay on Mar 9, 2019 9:14:31 GMT -5
The dishwasher works great for me. The labels come off but that’s ok..... One spin and I know which is which! 🤥 The labels on the LP come off?
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Post by 26gary26 on Mar 9, 2019 12:41:26 GMT -5
One thing great about the spin clean is you can see the amount of dirt that comes off in the fluid tub. If your vinyl is really dirty you can change the fluid and wash it over and over again. I have purchased new albums and even after cleaning them I noticed stuff comes off of them from I guess the processing procedure. Good luck with your cleaning.
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Post by Loop 7 on Mar 9, 2019 16:46:28 GMT -5
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Post by dsonyay on Mar 9, 2019 17:18:47 GMT -5
Loop.. yeah that's pretty sweet. Pricey too.. but seems like a good product.
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Post by hondaman01 on Oct 25, 2019 18:40:20 GMT -5
I used to spin vinal but even after I cleaned them u would still get a random click or pop. Tried a few products but I wasn't satisfied. I was using a moving magnet cahtrish! Lol! Because of that, I sprayed a fine mist on the record I used distilled water. It worked as a lube, and smoothed out the edges . When I finished.Id allow the record to dry. Then ,put in sleeve ,back into the cover. Never had a problem . I'd doit still to this day, IF I play any at all.
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Post by geeqner on Oct 25, 2019 23:10:54 GMT -5
If you start to collect lots of albums or if you like scouring yard sales for bargains
Then, you might want to consider finding a used Nitty Gritty vacuum machine. It’ll probably cost you a few hundred, but could make up for that in time and wear savings. Back in the dat, I knew several people who had them. Most “home-brewed” cheaper versions of the cleaning solution. I believe that there are both Automatic and Manual versions available
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,227
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Post by novisnick on Oct 26, 2019 2:55:00 GMT -5
Board cleaning your LPs? Why aren’t you listening to tunes while your at it. No matter your method of cleaning, you should do it when acquired!Brand new or used. The manufacturing of LPs is a dirty bussiness and they are sleeved and packaged dirty. Spin clean is worth the effort! After the cleaning I place them in a new static free jacket. Use a brush before and after each play per side and you shouldn’t have to clean them again for another 20-40 plays. Don’t forget to clean the stylus. Check out Peter Ledermann videos from the SoundSmith web page. He’s a true guru ! www.sound-smith.com/index
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klinemj
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Honorary Emofest Scribe
Posts: 14,747
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Post by klinemj on Oct 26, 2019 14:15:39 GMT -5
This is what my friend Thomas does. He buys a LOT of used LP's in Germany, and when he cleans them with this technique - I am amazed at the sound. He makes a mix of 60% ethanol 40 % deinionized water. He says "Isopropanol is good too, but then I would use 80% Iso and 20% water. Ethanol is better in my pov as it reduces surface tension more, but you should get the one that is not smelly (here this one has added ethymethylketone not allowing to drink it) He prefers to put an LP on his TT and use that to spin the record, but he says it is "Best is to have a strong belt drive like with the VPI, a direct drive and a string will fail to do it on the record player as they are too weak to keep the record moving under applied slight pressure" He sprays the solution with a spray bottle onto the LP as it spins. Then he uses small strips of magic eraser - the cheapest version and lightly presses it in using the edge of the strip to spread the liquid first, then apply a little pressure for 5-7 turns. He says the "key is not to apply too high pressure as it is abrasive, but the effect is amazingly good." Then he uses a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining/dirty liquid. As he says "You can nicely see how much dirt it takes on.... I rescued quite a number of vinyls and removed noticeable amounts of dirt." In my words, I've never heard any album he plays have pops, clicks, etc. Not only is his VPI with Benz cartridge very good, his LP's are very clean and sound great. Mark
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DYohn
Emo VIPs
Posts: 18,349
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Post by DYohn on Oct 26, 2019 14:25:20 GMT -5
Cleaning LPs is a ritual I definitely do not miss.
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Post by gus4emo on Oct 27, 2019 10:02:04 GMT -5
I've noticed when acquiring really old used albums they need serious cleaning.. beyond what is normally used. I'll think it's clean but the needle digs up tons of dirt.. a couple of times the needle got so dirty the sound distorted bad enough to where I had to clean the stylus .. So I now have a label protector, and the album goes into the sink in a mild mix of water with a touch of mild detergent. Then the vinyl is scrubbed softly with a nylon brush (in direction of grooves). This seems to do the job. But even then, sometimes the needle will still dig up more gunk here and there. I had to do a massive cleaning like that over a two session scrubbing to get a copy of Brubeck's Time Further Out clean. It's like that with all old vinyl. Incredible. Anyone notice this too? What's your recipe for thoroughly cleaning into the grooves? I was given an old Wes Montgomery album -it had crud so hard to remove I ended up using one of those white "magic erasers" .. I wet it down well, then rubbed the vinyl..not hard, and it lifted up debris extremely well.. this worked fantastic and seemed to lift every particle between the grooves. I was actually amazed at this. Rinsed off with distilled water.. then used an album cleaning solution as normal. Wow... What an amazing difference with the sound.. especially the pops and clicks. YouTube is full of videos on cleaning really dirty vinyl. Just curious as to how any of you guys do your cleaning with old stuff. Anyone try the Titebond II trick? I've done that as a test on a very cruddy album I found for a dollar. It works really well too. But it's kinda a long drawn out process and only one side can be done at a time. Happy weekend everyone. Try a smooth sponge and vinegar...
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novisnick
EmoPhile
CEO Secret Monoblock Society
Posts: 27,227
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Post by novisnick on Oct 27, 2019 10:07:43 GMT -5
I've noticed when acquiring really old used albums they need serious cleaning.. beyond what is normally used. I'll think it's clean but the needle digs up tons of dirt.. a couple of times the needle got so dirty the sound distorted bad enough to where I had to clean the stylus .. So I now have a label protector, and the album goes into the sink in a mild mix of water with a touch of mild detergent. Then the vinyl is scrubbed softly with a nylon brush (in direction of grooves). This seems to do the job. But even then, sometimes the needle will still dig up more gunk here and there. I had to do a massive cleaning like that over a two session scrubbing to get a copy of Brubeck's Time Further Out clean. It's like that with all old vinyl. Incredible. Anyone notice this too? What's your recipe for thoroughly cleaning into the grooves? I was given an old Wes Montgomery album -it had crud so hard to remove I ended up using one of those white "magic erasers" .. I wet it down well, then rubbed the vinyl..not hard, and it lifted up debris extremely well.. this worked fantastic and seemed to lift every particle between the grooves. I was actually amazed at this. Rinsed off with distilled water.. then used an album cleaning solution as normal. Wow... What an amazing difference with the sound.. especially the pops and clicks. YouTube is full of videos on cleaning really dirty vinyl. Just curious as to how any of you guys do your cleaning with old stuff. Anyone try the Titebond II trick? I've done that as a test on a very cruddy album I found for a dollar. It works really well too. But it's kinda a long drawn out process and only one side can be done at a time. Happy weekend everyone. Try a smooth sponge and vinegar... Followed by a very good rinsing with distilled water. Personally I’ve never heard of using vinegar, but there’s plenty I’ve never heard of before. Rinse and repeat!
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