I finally broke down and bought a gallon because you couldn't beat the price.
I cleaned a pretty beat down dirty copy of the Rolling Stones "Flowers" LP that I bought for a 1.00 in a flea market and it did a very good job. I didn't need the LP because I have 2 very clean original LP's but I couldn't leave it in the bin as it probably is my favorite early Stones LP :music: I am listening to the record now and it was a pretty lousy listening experience before I cleaned it. I've actually listened to it a few times and it will now stay in the collection as it sounds very good now. The cleaner is very sudsy compared to the Nitty Gritty Pure 2 cleaner and it will definitely require a rinse with distilled water. I noticed that there was more of an alcohol smell than there is with the Pure 2. It won't replace the Pure 2 as my cleaner of choice but it is a very good deal especially if you come across some filthy records in the flea markets that need a good scrubbing. I haven't tried the RRL or MoFi cleaners as they are called now but that will be the next cleaner I try.

I had considered trying that Phoenix cleaner; glad you tested it first. :) I don't like sudsy cleaners--like you said they require wrinsing. That was my problem with the Disc Doctors. I like the RRL because it vacuums clean without leaving any residue. For really dirty records I'll use the RRL deep cleaner first, then the vinyl wash. For less dirty stuff, just the vinyl wash.

I had considered trying that Phoenix cleaner; glad you tested it first. :) I don't like sudsy cleaners--like you said they require wrinsing. That was my problem with the Disc Doctors. I like the RRL because it vacuums clean without leaving any residue. For really dirty records I'll use the RRL deep cleaner first, then the vinyl wash. For less dirty stuff, just the vinyl wash.

I'm giving the RRL cleaners a try. Any other cleaners that you've tried besides the Disc Doctors and RRL?

Well, tried scrubbing with Dawn in the sink, wrinsing with distilled water, after RRL failed to remove pops on a record. It also failed and I concluded that it was damage. RRL is more purified than distilled water, so I wouldn't do that again--it was just to convince myself that the RRL wasn't missing anything.

I'm still waiting to finish up my bottle of Pure 2, since the bottle of Phoenix doesn't have a squirt top, though I was tempted to pop the top in it tonight. I cleaned a Lyrita of Bax's fifth and listened last night. Audio heaven, but there was still a bunch of noise at the beginning of track one, I was thinking about seeing of the Phoenix gets it clean.

I'm still waiting to finish up my bottle of Pure 2, since the bottle of Phoenix doesn't have a squirt top, though I was tempted to pop the top in it tonight. I cleaned a Lyrita of Bax's fifth and listened last night. Audio heaven, but there was still a bunch of noise at the beginning of track one, I was thinking about seeing of the Phoenix gets it clean.

Just make sure you have distilled water available because it will definitely require a rinsing or two. I was thinking of trying the VPI concentrate cleaner but I read quite a few different threads in Audio Asylum that mentions the fungus problems that users have had and I figured NO WAY! I guess you get what you pay for. :yuck:

Okay, just a tip I picked up strictly by accident...

Get two microfiber clothes, rub them together for about 20 seconds, and it will remove MUCH dust and lint.

Had a record that was filthy, and did the dawn treatment, then used the two microfiber clothes, not a pop was heard.

It seems static cling works well to remove surface noise. :music: :music:

I'm still waiting to finish up my bottle of Pure 2, since the bottle of Phoenix doesn't have a squirt top, though I was tempted to pop the top in it tonight. I cleaned a Lyrita of Bax's fifth and listened last night. Audio heaven, but there was still a bunch of noise at the beginning of track one, I was thinking about seeing of the Phoenix gets it clean.

Let me know what you think of it after you use it. I'm curious to hear what you think of it. I was surprised at all the suds.

you guys who are scrubbing the really dirty records- what are you using for a brush?

I've got good condition, but dirty vinyl here that needs a deep clean.

I've also got some that were damp from being left out in the rain that need a good cleaning and possible mold removal solution.

I'm not afraid of hard work, scrubbing, and suds.

Any suggestions?

you guys who are scrubbing the really dirty records- what are you using for a brush?

Shur-Line paint pads (the smaller "edger") about 3"x4". A couple of bucks for a two-pack that will last thru about 120 lps +/-. I try to clean the pads themselves after about 20 lps by just scrubbing with Dawn and hot water then fling to dry. With good quality vinyl, you can really feel that grunge loosen and come off. Just remember to rinse very very well, then suck the disc dry asap with the implement of your choosing.

you guys who are scrubbing the really dirty records- what are you using for a brush?

I've got good condition, but dirty vinyl here that needs a deep clean.

I've also got some that were damp from being left out in the rain that need a good cleaning and possible mold removal solution.

I'm not afraid of hard work, scrubbing, and suds.

Any suggestions?

I use the Mobile Fidelity brush. It does a great job and doesn't leave any scratches on the vinyl. The soft roller that comes with the Nitty Gritty is OK for regular cleaning but if you want to scrub then absolutely use the MoFi brush as it really gets in there.

I'v been useing the Phoenix cleaning fluid with my Disc Doctor RCM and see very little suddsing action. All the LPs have been cleaned prior or if new arrivals they were in excellent to mint condition to start with. I'm useing the Last cleaning pads which don't require a lot of fluid but they are very effective in cleaning the records. Sounds like some of you are trying to clean some real grungy records. So far the Phoenix fluid works fine for me and the price was right for a gallon.

You will probably be happiest if you use two different kinds of cleaners for your records. A basic chemistry adage is "like dissolves like." What they refer to is the molecular structure being either polar or non-polar. Non-polars are the oily types, polar are the water-soluble types.

So you need a good sudsy type cleaner for the oily types, and you need a good non-sudsy type for the water solubles.

I start with the sudsy types to clean off the oils and loose debris, then go to a good polar type like RRL that both cleans the water solubles and helps to rinse off the non-polar cleaner.

Then you absolutely MUST rinse with good distilled water, regardless of what your manufacturer says you should or shouldn't do. I have heard of some people getting burned by drug store distilled water; perhaps they simply bought 'spring water' when they thought they were buying distilled water; regardless, good quality distilled water is a must, so always rinse off what the RCM doesn't suck up with a final rinse.

You will probably be happiest if you use two different kinds of cleaners for your records.

It sounds like a good idea.

I still haven't gotten to the Phoenix yet, I went shoppin for a small bottle to move it from the 'jug'. I haven't found one yet.

I use the MoFi brush too, it's very good and refill pads are like two bucks each.

I see a few post's from this thread are still on the old server.

I decided to come back and visit this one as I have been using the Phoenix and the Pure 2 back and forth and both. In the missing post I did note I had some bubbles the first time I used Phoenix, but I over loaded the disk. No squirt bottle, I ended up sloshing some on.

Since then I have decided at can't tell any difference between the two cleaners. And no bubbles since.

Maybe a huge sampling, a couple hundred disks would tell me more. I think one problem with reviewing record cleaning fluid is that you can't replace the dirt and try again with a different fluid.

....and every record is different.

But the results I've been getting from the two have ranged from very good to outstanding. I like Pure 2, I like Phoenix.

I decided to come back and visit this one as I have been using the Phoenix and the Pure 2 back and forth and both. In the missing post I did note I had some bubbles the first time I used Phoenix, but I over loaded the disk. No squirt bottle, I ended up sloshing some on.

Since then I have decided at can't tell any difference between the two cleaners. And no bubbles since.

Maybe a huge sampling, a couple hundred disks would tell me more. I think one problem with reviewing record cleaning fluid is that you can't replace the dirt and try again with a different fluid.

....and every record is different.

But the results I've been getting from the two have ranged from very good to outstanding. I like Pure 2, I like Phoenix.

I noticed that I get a lot of suds when I use the MoFi brush and not the Nitty Gritty Brush but the MoFi brush really gets in there. Just do a good rinse and you're ok. On another note I've decided to get a VPI 16.5 in about 2 months and sell my Nitty Gritty Record Master. As much as I love my NG I'm starting to have wrist problems turning that record around and I've still got about a thousand more LP's to clean. Like the Stones sang: What a drag it is getting old! :tears:

I noticed that I get a lot of suds when I use the MoFi brush and not the Nitty Gritty Brush but the MoFi brush really gets in there. Just do a good rinse and you're ok. On another note I've decided to get a VPI 16.5 in about 2 months and sell my Nitty Gritty Record Master. As much as I love my NG I'm starting to have wrist problems turning that record around and I've still got about a thousand more LP's to clean. Like the Stones sang: What a drag it is getting old! :tears:

I find myself singing that a lot too these days. I also wondered if the bubbles were a reaction to something on the record.

I haven't been rinsing, it seems fine without it.

I figured I'd revisit this thread. I have been using the Phoenix cleaner for about a week straight and it's really grown on me. I finally figured out the best way to use it is to coat the record using the Nitty Gritty applicator brush instead of the MoFi brush and then wait about 30-60 seconds so the enzymes can do their thing and then vacuum. So far this is the best way to use it and you don't have to really scrub to remove fingerprints etc.. The records sound great and it leaves a real shiny clean record. The record sounds fantastic and full sounding. The MoFi brush really brings up some suds because of the way I brush which is pretty aggressive so I don't use it with this cleaner and thankfully I don't have to. I just finished cleaning my "Wings Over America" LP which I last cleaned with my Spin-Clean over a year ago and I was surprised that when I removed the stopper from the tank the waste fluid was dirty. I really wasn't expecting that and now I have to clean all previous records that I thought were clean before I bought my NG. I have REALLY got to get a semi-auto record cleaner as this is a herculean task! :tears:

I was thinking about this thread last night, I bought a couple disks at goodwill. One was really dirty, when I cleaned it, I got the bubbles. You may be right about the enzyme action making the bubbles. I really don't know. But I have to say I have decided I really like the Phoenix cleaner too.

Oh, and a good trick from the KAB website..
You can prolong the life of the applicator brush immensly if, after cleaning records, you vacuum it by turning the vaccum back on and running the brush over the vacuum slot. This will pull the nap of the velvet straight, dry the brush, and even clean the Vac Sweep fibers too.

It also seems to clean the brush out.:thmbsp:

Since this thread is already started, I'll share my experiences with the Phoenix cleaner. The first thing I noticed when using it with my Nitty Gritty machine is that the cleaner seemed to be drying rapidly, in some cases before I could get it vacuumed off. The result was a dried residue on some albums, I'd say it definitely needs to be rinsed afterwards. So I've started a new way of using it. Last December I bought a Groovmaster from the seller on Ebay, and I gotta say it's one of the best investments I've made in record cleaning gear.

So I clamp on the Groovmaster, apply the Phoenix cleaner from a spray bottle and spread it around with the Mo-Fi brush. Let it sit for 2-3 mins, brush it again and then rinse thoroughly under the faucet. Then I spray it down with distilled water, remove the Groovmaster and dry it on the Nitty Gritty. As a last step, I give it a light cleaning with a small amount of Pure 2 and dry again. The Pure 2 treatment helps with the static, if I don't use it the record will have a static charge immediately after cleaning, and will have dust on it pretty much right away.

So far, the results with this method have been extremely good. The records look very clean, and they also sound clean, better than I was getting with a single cleaner method on the NG. With the Mo-Fi brush, the Phoenix does foam quite a bit, and it seems a bit difficult to get it all off with vacuum only. The only drawback is that it takes a fair amount of cleaner doing it this way, but since the Phoenix is not terribly expensive, I won't worry about it. When I'm done, the brush gets rinsed with water and vacuumed on the NG.

Let it sit for 2-3 mins

I don't get a residue in it when I use the Nitty Gritty Brush but then I also don't let it sit for that long as most cleaners I see will start to evaporate. The most I let it sit is about 30-60 seconds and then I vacuum it right up. It has worked like a charm now. The cleaner is actually very good and you can't beat the price

I don't get a residue in it when I use the Nitty Gritty Brush but then I also don't let it sit for that long as most cleaners I see will start to evaporate. The most I let it sit is about 30-60 seconds and then I vacuum it right up. It has worked like a charm now. The cleaner is actually very good and you can't beat the price

I start the vacuum when I apply the cleaner to the other side. Records cleaned in one minute.

I have REALLY become very fond of this cleaner. I visited the flea market today and came across a copy of Three Dog Night's "Golden Bisquits" LP for 1.00, I noticed that it was pretty grungy but no scratches so I figured I'd give it a shot. I cleaned it with Nitty Gritty 2 fluid and then noticed that there was some kind of hard dirt spots on it. I put on some more NG2 fluid and started brushing aggressively and vacuumed it. It took some of it out but it was still there, I then figured let me try the phoenix and used the NG brush to just coat the record and then vacuum it. It was all gone and I didn't have to scrub it. I don't really know what's in there but this cleaner is pretty good and now I have a mint looking, nice sounding record. :music: