Record Cleaning

Randy, I'm using a a basic Nitty Gritty 1.5 machine that requires you to turn the record by hand. It gets the job done though, no complaints. I agree that the ultimate in cleaning is steam cleaning, nothing compares to that method for addressing the worst of lps that need a deep cleaning. I'm a wee bit lazy though. I run a record through the Nitty Gritty first and then play it first before deciding to steam clean. Often, the wet vacuuming all it needs. If I like the lp and it needs further attention, then it gets the steam cleaning treatment. After cleaning, it goes in a new sleeve. Then, all it ever needs again is a good brushing. The degree of success you have removing tics and pops depends on their cause. If they are caused by abrasions and scratches, nothing helps other than selecting cartridges that minimize this type of noise. However, a surprising amount of groove noise, low level tics and such are removed by deep cleaning. I've bought many used records that are nearly mint but were previously owned by cat loving, cola swilling/spilling record owners. After vacuuming away the animal hair, dust, dander, and sticky fingerprints, most of them play like new again.

I can't imagine playing any vinyl that hasn't been thoroughly cleaned i.e. with a liquid cleaning solution and vacuum. Or steam.

Simple brushing can't do it.

IMO

A record cleaning machine is a very good thing. You can surely get by without one, but they are terrific and worth every penny if you like playing records and getting the highest quality sound from them.

As for 180g and 200g records, I think they can be better than standard pressings, but often they are not.

Cheers.

For everyday cleaning of surface dust a carbon fibre brush is the way to go. I just replaced mine with one of the carbon fibre brushed with velvet between the 2 lines of carbon fibre. I think it works better than the straight carbon fibre brush but they are very good too.

I keep spending money on records, many second hand, and I think a record cleaning machine is essential. However, since I keep spending my money on records I've never bought one. However, what I did was to use the idea of a modified crevice tool from this web site: http://www.teresaudio.com/haven/cleaner/cleaner.html and I use an old turntable I picked up cheap as the platform for cleaning. For over 95% of records this works a treat. I also steam the record first.

For those really stubborn records which still have pops and crackles after my normal cleaning process I use an artists paint brush and run straight isopropyl through the grooves before the normal cleaning process of steam, clean with fluid (one thirs isoproipyl, two thirds water and a few drops of dishwasher rinse aid) and clean/rinse with straight distilled water. I have a record I just bought which has crackles all the way through and I am about to try the PVA glue method on that one, we'll see how that goes but plenty of people swear by it - only for the really stubborn records in my opiunion though.

DS

Have to second the opinions already voiced. I use the audioquest brush which is good at getting the top dust off and keeping it off the needle but it is not a subsitute for wet cleaning. If your buying used records you MUST have a wet cleaning system to get the years of dirt/glunk thats accumulated.