Got an LP cleaner you want to make money on?

Buconero117:
I too use steam with great success. Distilled water to minimize any buildup. Set it up so as to keep the label dry.

I bought a very clean 16.5 last year for a little over $300.
If that's not doable, I recommend a spin clean- under $100
Another answer to is find a few vinyl buddies in your area and split the cost of a used RCM. Perhaps the perfect start for a local hifi club?

Years ago there's was a store nearby that charged $1 a record to clean. I thought it was an OK service. Frankly, if I owned an audio shop, I would include in any TT purchase free lifetime record cleaning, limited to 5 LPs per visit to the shop.

Personally, I wouldn't advertise my home as a place to bring your LPs to clean for a charge. I far prefer inviting friends over and if they bring some vinyl to clean , that's great.

When I've seen stores/people offer a record cleaning service the price has usually been about $1.

It is advised by some that new records should be cleaned to remove any mold release that is still present
Alan

With respect to the OP, who admits he has little experience, all records should be cleaned - including new ones. There is no significant risk if proper techniques are used. There is, however, a real risk of vinyl damage from playing uncleaned records.

The vinyl plug that's placed in the mold to make an LP releases chemicals during molding and cooling. Residue from these chemicals is often called "mold release" compounds. Many people misinterpret this term to mean that the manufacturer coated the mold with some release agent, which remains behind on the LP. That is not the case, however chemicals released from the vinyl during molding do remain behind.

These should be removed before play, as otherwise they smother sonics and gunk up the stylus. Further, they provide a sticky medium that grabs onto any stray dirt. Imagine what happens when a sharpened diamond drags a piece of dirt acrosss a soft vinyl groovewall... the resulting damage cannot be repaired.

Mold release residues can harden over time, making them more resistant to removal on vintage LPs. IME, 50s-60s era Decca/London records are among the toughest to clean (if they've never been) but once you do... wow!

***
Agape126,

Record manufacturers do not "spray some type of solvent (scratch resistant") on them. A new record, after cooling, comes out of the mold and goes straight into the sleeve with nothing added but a visual inspection (if we're lucky).