2. analog
  3. 1087967618

Herman eats crow, RRL record cleaning fluids work

I recently answered a post on
distilled water saying that using deionized water was a bunch of bunk. Several people folowed up basically calling me an idiot and singing the praises of RRL fluids. I responded I didn't believe that these fluids could possibly live up to the hype accorded them. I then received an offer from a fellow member offering to send me some of these mystical fluids free of charge to try for myself. I accepted his challenge.

I just returned from Japan where I purchased some used vinyl including what appeared to be a mint Japanese pressing of Art Pepper "Live in Tokyo 79," one of my favorites. The RRL fluids were also awaiting in the mail.

I put the record on straight away and was greeted by quite a bit of surface noise so I decided it was time to give the RRL a trial on my VPI 17. I first applied about 10 drops of the deep cleaner and worked it in with my Audioquest carbon fiber brush turning the record several times in both directions and then vacuumed it off. I follwed with the same amount of vinyl wash using the same regime.

A massive transformation in background noise! I went from a used record that I was dissapointed in due to surface noise to a record that was dead quiet using barely enough fluid to even dampen the record. I am used to using a large volume of Disc Doctor fluid folowed by a lot of rinse water because if you leave any of the DD fluid on the record it will dry up and leave a residue.

I can't say for sure the DD routine would not have yielded the same results, but the RRL fluids were so much easier to use and so much quicker due to the tiny amount required that I am getting ready to order a big bottle of everything they have to offer.

A big thanks to 4yanx for sharing his fluids (record cleaning that is) with me.
herman
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
- It was Sean who said that about Kodak. Knowing Sean, I'm certain that he can provide a link or citation for what he states. I don't know of a specific citation from Kodak, though I've heard that same thing mentioned elsewhere. My proviso comes from personal experience - not so much from the aspect of realizing damage to vinyl but in that it leaves behind a sonic signature that I could not live with in a formerly used home brew. When I stopped using it, I could notice the difference. But, now that I am using the RRl stuff, ther eis no issue anyway!
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Herman,

Just got back from a week away, thus the delayed response. Glad you're enjoying the experience with the RRL stuff so far. Even if your DD fluid worked just as well, as you say the amount of time and distilled spent rinsing would leave it a second best approach. For new/clean-looking records I find 6-8 drops of each RRL fluid is plenty. Flooding the record is actually counterproductive since it makes it harder to vacuum properly. For dirty records I usually do two passes of DC before rinsing with VW, using a cheap Last brush for the first pass.

Jyprez,
If you'd like to try some RRL let me know. I could drop some off at your office or you're always welcome to visit - with a few LP's to spin of course! I remember hearing that warning about Photo-Flo too. Whether it's true or not I can't say, but since I don't need Photo-Flo it's not important for me to know.
jyprez's avatar
jyprez
229 posts
 
Doug, I have purchased RRL cleaner several times and as I indicated, I thought it worked great but not any better than my home brew which just uses a barely measuable amount of photoflow in a gallon of ditilled water per several recipies that can be found on the net. If anyone can hear the "sonic signature" of this trace amount then their ears a far superior to mine (which is not impossible since my 49 year old hearing is certainly not what it used to be). Bottom line then, I have nothing against RRL cleaners except I can get comparable results to my hearing for a fraction of the cost and as I am inherently cheap (prefering to save my money for records) that's what I do.
(P.S. You should come over my place and we'll spin a few records on my new setup - I picked up 50 classical trumpet albums from a classical trumpet player's collection for cheap and you're welcome to take your "pick of the litter" as it were, since you're more into classical than I.
cloudyphiz
27 posts
 
Is it possible to use this without a vacuum machine?
If so, are there any instructions around for doing so?

thanks
Gary
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Hi Bob,
I'd forgotten you tried the RRL already and were neutral on it except for cost. Sorry for the sales pitch.

I'd love to pay a return visit. We have house guests at the moment but maybe later in the month.

You'll also have to come back for another hearing, since my setup is significantly better sounding than when you last heard it. This is partly due to your observations. Last year you mentioned that my cartridge was mounted differently than yours, which encouraged me to keep experimenting until I got it right (or at least better).

Cheers

P.S. to cloudyphiz
Vacuuming is nearly essential with any cleaning solution, RRL or otherwise. Once the fluid dissolves or suspends contaminants what would happen if you didn't quickly vacuum all that scum away? The liquid would evaporate and deposit the contaminants right back onto the record. In fact, this slurry can actually deposit dirt even deeper into the grooves before the liquid evaporates, making the remaining particulates more difficult to remove. Even careful towel drying can't reach inside the grooves.
More to discover