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Is it the Windex?

When I first got back into this hobby I started buying used LP's from the dealer across the street. Very nice guy starting his own store. Prices seemed reasonable, quality was OK. I got some very nice stuff.

Over the past 2 years LP's have risen from a "usual" $3-7.99 to $7 - 15. I've also noticed that whether they're described as near mint or VG++ they have continuous pops and ticks even after I clean them with L'Art du Son and Disc Doctor Quick Wash Record Cleaner on my VPI 16.5.

Though I can hear crisp grooves on the better discs the popcorn noise drives me nuts.

Lately, I've notice he stands behind the counter cleaning records with Windex and paper towels. Is he doing something with that that trashes the records beyond redemption?

I've made up my mind to quit buying from him altogether, though he's the nicest guy in the world. The stuff I get from E*bay and Goodwill cleans up better.

Any thoughts?
joe_in_seattle
ehider
286 posts
 
HILLARIOUS! I am still laughing at Mechans response.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
02-03-08: Hdm said"
"Almost any time someone wet cleans a record without vacuuming it, as far as I'm concerned they are making it much harder to clean effectively even if you have a great cleaning regimen that includes vacuuming. Think about it: anything that is left over in those grooves that dries simply solidifies in there making it that much more difficult to remove."

I haven't found this to be the case with the Disc Doctor system. That system includes separate brushes for application and rinsing, but also is designed to leave a slight residual of fluid. I use a lot of distilled water to rid the surface of almost any residual, but DD is designed to work with vinyl. Other liquids and formulas may indeed worsen a record, but DD does not, in my experience.

Dave
crem1
672 posts
 
Joe : Re-clean your purchases using the Steam Cleaning method outlined in the thread below . Follow the instructions, spend a few $$ on a steamer and other insidentals needed including an effective record cleaning solution ( home-brew or $$$ ). Replay and see if there is a significant difference. Sometimes it just crud and other times record defects , more likely crud. Re-clean your noisy ones first. Should they quiet down you have a inexpensive solution and can go one to other options suggested in the Steam thread. What ever you do don't tell the guy across the street , prices will go sky high.
joe_in_seattle OP
114 posts
 
I talked to my guy today. It's not Windex! He uses 60% water 40% alcohol and toilet paper. Sigh. I suppose it's the TP drying on.

He does guarantee his records, so I can return the worst ones, but I think I'll find another place to buy.
jependleton
155 posts
 
Hi Joe,

Isopropanol is generally used in record fluid formulas, such as ours, to harden dissolved protein deposits in order to keep them from reattaching to the record. The water and the cleaning method as you described would not normally be sufficient to dissolve such deposits thoroughly enough to keep them from being hardened on the record, thus manifesting as a "crackling" noise during playback.

Rubbing hard with toilet paper wouldn't be such a great idea either. Those records, although more difficult to clean, can be cleaned with a little effort.

Best regards.

Jim Pendleton
Osage Audio Products, LLC
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