Cleaning vinyl - am I using this thing right???

There are some other solutions--deeper cleaning ones that are good to get the junk from garage sales out. I've made my own solution, and for deep cleaning you want a good mold releasing agent. Many albums that have been in storage in damp areas have mold--which is not easy to get off and your Hunt brush won't help here--it's really designed only for the light dust on top. Disc Doctor makes a deep cleaner. Others use soap and warm water, but the mold needs scrubbing and an anti-mold agent.

I use the VPI 16.5, but only after cleaning with the Disc Doctor fluid and brushes. I really use the VPI just to dry the records. The Disc Doctor brushes and fluid give a much deeper and better cleaning.
For records with a lot of dirt or mildew, I picked up, as per Fremer's recommendation, a Eureka Hot Shot Enviro Steamer. It really works well to loosen up dirt and wash the record (use distilled water) and there is no danger to the vinyl. You can pick one up for $89 new, or $49 factory reburbished (which I bought -- it's like new), delivered, from:
www.abc-vacuum.com
After the steamer, I go through the whole Disc Doctor and VPI routine, as well.

...you can also use vpi for brushing as well while it rotates the record. it does have a powerful rotating motor that can be somewhat abused with limited stringth of brush or sponge pressure.

I have used Torumat fluid and the VPI brush for years, on thousands of records, with my 16.5 with few problems. Use enough fluid to really get the record covered and scrub with the brush for 4-5 revolutions. Then use the vacuum tube for as many revolutions as it takes to completely dry the record. Two revolutions isn't enough, use a high intensity florescent light and you'll be able to see when the record is dry. If you get gunk on your stylus you didn't dry it enough, if you get a bunch of static you dryed it to much. Use lots of light!

The angle of the suction tube is important, test it on a few disposable records to determine the correct position. Clean the tube often and replace it when it begins to show signs of loss of effectiveness.

I've had very good results using my VPI 16.5 and distilled water. I gave up mixing in a small % of alcohol.

The VPI has a very high torque motor and as previously mentioned you can apply quite a bit of downward pressure.
You can also really scrub the record (you don't just have to go round and round). Be sure to use plenty of fluid, that's the real advantage to a vacuum system.

However, when all is said and done, you aren't going to be able to remove all ticks and pops. These are seldom caused by dirt lodged into the grooves.
Jim