as a record cleaner :thmbsp: or :thumbsdn:, just wondering?

I would say NO.

nope, there is a tone of posts here about proper cleaners. Do a search for record cleaning fluid.

Rick

Read the sticky here (http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=53389). You'll find many opinions (some contradictory!), lots of discussion, and somewhere deep in the thread there are links to recommended solutions/procedures from the Library of Congress, and other institutions charged with preserving the past. :music:

in spite of all the hysteria about not using it, i have in fact been using windex in very dilute form for quite some time w/o difficulty.

I used it to clean my Philip Glass LP. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

in spite of all the hysteria about not using it, i have in fact been using windex in very dilute form for quite some time w/o difficulty.

Hello Shrinkboy,
Please do not take my response as being disrespectful of you, because I want to assure you that it is not meant to be, and I'm just trying to be suggestive, and helpful towards yourself, and others here.

From the number of posts, and browsing your Sig, you have been around the block a few times so it appears, and I honestly cannot understand the logic of using chemicals-products that are not designed for thier intended job?

How well they work is one thing, and this of course is not what I'm trying to get at. Can I ask though, would you then use Tide Detergent to wash your dishes? Or Lemon Pledge to wax your car with? While either might work to an extent, will either give optimum results, and insure no harm will be done?

And that is the point I'm trying to make, can you be sure without question, that no irreversable damage to your vinyl is taking place, and that makeshift cleaners aren't additionally affecting your sonics as well?

I'm certainly no Lab Chemist, but do recognize that all well known Record Cleaning Products that come to market have been thoroughly tested by Chemists, and properly analyzed-mixed. While marketed Cleaners do vary in thier abilities to thoroughly clean certain contaminants, and leave no sonic signature as well, I don't believe I have ever read of any damaging the vinyl in a way, that the product wasn't at least usable, and reasonably safe to use on Vinyl.

Ultimately, the choice must be each individuals own.
I feel why risk it? The actual cash outlay of a good cleaning product per LP is not that cost prohibitive.
Why many feel that it is, and take the risk?
Mark

I really like Windex (original formula) for cleaning my CDs and DVDs but would not use it to clean vinyl.

What Markd51 says is, for the most part true. Why take the chance when the current batch of LP cleaning products work wonders and have been tested and vetted. :yes:

That being said, as far as using "chemicals-products that are not designed for thier intended job". I suggest Markd51 consider looking at the original designed purposes for Viagra, Rogane, and whatever the heck they were using on ADHD kids. None of these are currently in use for their originally designed purpose. Viagra, if I remember properly, was used for blood pressure issues. :scratch2:

In any case, someone has to be the Guinea Pig. But, in this case, I'll let someone else do that job. Windex, I believe, has way too many parts per million solids for me to take a chance. Solids tend to abrade the vinyl which will effect the fidelity and, which is why most of the LP cleaners advertise how few PPM solids they have.

Good luck, whatever you decide. :thmbsp:

I wonder if anyone has ever tried perchlorethelyne, did a heck of a job cleaning junk off of my carborators. :D

I tried it on some old junky records, to me prob not to you guys. Its seems to get it clean , but still static in em, There records that havent been played much, seems to get her shiny though!

I'd like commenting a bit more about Record Cleaners, in that what I notice is the latest high quality Cleaners (the first step usually) for cleaning Records, are products that contain Enzymes.

Apparently, many cleaners, even those that contain Alcohol seem to be inadequate for removing Molds, Fungus, Mildew, and Mold Release Compounds used in the pressing process. All highly knowledgable vinylphiles do recognize the sonic signature these Mold Release Compounds impart. Many now do use some type of Enzymatic Cleaner as a first step. From what I understand, the Oils that leach from vinyl become perfect breeding grounds for things like Fungus.

Often, LP's might appear clean to the naked eye, but under high magnification examination, the filth, and fungus in the grooves can readily be seen. (Walker's Site shows examples of this)

The ideaology of the acquisition of the finest sound from vinyl, is that "nothing" comes betweem the Vinyl Surface, and your Stylus. Products such as "Gruve Glide", and other marketed Cleaners such as RRL-Mobile Fidelity Super Vinyl Wash do contain Lubricants in them (Some Glycemic type I understand) and while this Lubricant isn't permanently damaging, (but is also a very tough product to fully remove) and will quiet Vinyl Surface Noise to an extent, it will also effect Sonics-Dynamics somewhat as well.

There's absolutely no reason, why LPs properly cared for cannot last, and provide beautiful sound for 50-60 years. Many have much money invested, and I feel the utmost care, with logical use of products will insure thier high fidelity, and life. Mark

Besides, it supposedly contains Butyl Cellosolve: Neurotoxin. Eye and skin irritant. Damages central nervous system, kidney and liver. Readily absorbed through the skin. Damages blood and body's ability to make blood - listed as a pesticide.

Besides, it supposedly contains Butyl Cellosolve: Neurotoxin. Eye and skin irritant. Damages central nervous system, kidney and liver. Readily absorbed through the skin. Damages blood and body's ability to make blood - listed as a pesticide.

Hello Don, (Meggy) What product is it that contains Butyl Cellosolve? Thanks, Mark

Hello Don, (Meggy) What product is it that contains Butyl Cellosolve? Thanks, Mark

Windex!

Lemon Pledge to wax your car with?

Believe it or not, I, and many many others use pledge to clean and shine our motorcycles with. You might be surprised, it does a great job, and much easier than using regular car wax. It's not a replacement for normal waxing, but it cleans and shines.

Bugs and dirt comes off much easier the next time you use it, or wash it.

Apparently, many cleaners, even those that contain Alcohol seem to be inadequate for removing Molds, Fungus, Mildew, and Mold Release Compounds used in the pressing process. All highly knowledgable vinylphiles do recognize the sonic signature these Mold Release Compounds impart. Many now do use some type of Enzymatic Cleaner as a first step. From what I understand, the Oils that leach from vinyl become perfect breeding grounds for things like Fungus.

Often, LP's might appear clean to the naked eye, but under high magnification examination, the filth, and fungus in the grooves can readily be seen. (Walker's Site shows examples of this)


Apparently Pure 2 removes Mold Release Compounds and mold or fungus. That's why I pay for it, which really is not that expensive.


The ideaology of the acquisition of the finest sound from vinyl, is that "nothing" comes betweem the Vinyl Surface, and your Stylus. Products such as "Gruve Glide", and other marketed Cleaners such as RRL-Mobile Fidelity Super Vinyl Wash do contain Lubricants in them (Some Glycemic type I understand) and while this Lubricant isn't permanently damaging, (but is also a very tough product to fully remove) and will quiet Vinyl Surface Noise to an extent, it will also effect Sonics-Dynamics somewhat as well.


I swear when I used LAST Record Preservative I could hear what you describe, "will quiet Vinyl Surface Noise to an extent, it will also effect Sonics-Dynamics somewhat as well." Although subtle. Maybe it's worth the extra life it promises to give you. Also Last 5 Stylus Treatment (not cleaner) is even more subtle, but again if I can increase stylus life, its worth it.

Good for acne(pimples) and mosquito bites also.

Believe it or not, I, and many many others use pledge to clean and shine our motorcycles with. You might be surprised, it does a great job, and much easier than using regular car wax. It's not a replacement for normal waxing, but it cleans and shines.

Bugs and dirt comes off much easier the next time you use it, or wash it.

Yep, That came to mind, as some kid I used to know years ago (Let's just call him "Lay") used to spray Lemon Pledge on his Father's Ford.

Of course there's products available today specifically made for this purpose, and they're called "Spray Detailers", and everbody, and thier brother makes them today.

Again, sorry, but I'd still rather use products designed for thier specific use, and in this case all I use on my vehicles now, is Zaino Z-2, and Zaino #6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer. For many years, used nothing but Collinite Super Double Coat Detergent-Proof Carnauba Wax. I prefer to save the Pledge for my JBL L-65's, and McIntosh Wood Cabs.

I'm not so sure how the ingredients in something Like Lemon Pledge might react with today's clear coat finishes, and might possibly discolor-stain them over time? Not trying to be rude here, if you like the Pledge, continue on. Mark

markd51-- no disrespect taken, mon ami. i just don't think vinyl is quite as tender as many think. i repeat, i have used it diluted for a long time, and quite simply, i witness none of the reputed drastic consequences.

now, i certainly wouldn't drench a record in full strength windex and then slip it into a plastic sleeve while wet. but a few drops on a cleaning brush before play, and i'm good to go.

when i get gooey filthy dirty thrift shoppers, i go to the sink with a soft old paint brush, some dawn, and running water. i work up good lather all around on both sides, then rinse under the tap, lay 'er out on a clean dish towel and wipe down with paper towels, allow to dry and slip into clean paper sleeves. i can bring back beat up old records like you wouldn't believe, no vacuums, no special equipment of any kind.

before play, the last twist with the diluted windex, and 9 times out of 10, all is 100% improved.

my real point, if i have one, is that the records are not vinyl communion hosts, they're much tougher than we think.

and i'm kinda lazy, too...

markd51-- no disrespect taken, mon ami. i just don't think vinyl is quite as tender as many think. i repeat, i have used it diluted for a long time, and quite simply, i witness none of the reputed drastic consequences.

now, i certainly wouldn't drench a record in full strength windex and then slip it into a plastic sleeve while wet. but a few drops on a cleaning brush before play, and i'm good to go.

when i get gooey filthy dirty thrift shoppers, i go to the sink with a soft old paint brush, some dawn, and running water. i work up good lather all around on both sides, then rinse under the tap, lay 'er out on a clean dish towel and wipe down with paper towels, allow to dry and slip into clean paper sleeves. i can bring back beat up old records like you wouldn't believe, no vacuums, no special equipment of any kind.

before play, the last twist with the diluted windex, and 9 times out of 10, all is 100% improved.

my real point, if i have one, is that the records are not vinyl communion hosts, they're much tougher than we think.

and i'm kinda lazy, too...

As an aside, I've heard of some using Spray+Wash on thier LPs. Remember earlier, I mentioned the Enzymes? I'm certain that's what Spray+Wash contains, but I cannot give any further info on this, whether people use it full strength, or in some diluted form?

I reckon one truth, and good common sense rule would be, is that all things must have a balance, in regards to money spent, products used, and how good the products you use are.

For example, it would be pure lunacy, to use a pair of $600-$700 Pair of Cardas Golden Reference Interconnects between a $79 JVC CD Player, and a $129 JVC Reciever. In the same respect, I feel it would be unwise to use a product such as Windex, or maybe any other homemade concoction if I was using a $10,000 Clearudio Turntable, $4500 Graham Phantom Tonearm, and a $7500 ZYX UNIverse Cartridge

Here, I can then understand the use of a $1400 PAD Venustas Phono Cable, a $3,000 Vacuum Record Cleaning Machine, and the very best cleaning Products like perhaps Walker, or Audio Intelligent Vinyl Solutions.

The ZYX UNIverse Cartridge is way out of my league pricewise, but I did go far enough up the food chain to recently buy a $3,000 Benx Ruby 3 MC Cartridge.

For many years, when I used Cartridges like the AT-14s, and Shure V-15 Type III, I felt Discwasher D3, or D4 was good enough, and in truth, I never felt either of these did permament damage to my vintage LPs, as I still have them, some of course have been recently recleaned with AIVS Products, and they play quite well considering 30-35 years of use.

As I slowly "graduated" over the years, I felt the need to also improve cleaning techniques, and storage materials for my LPs, pay better attention to Turntable, and Cartridge Set-Up, start to use better interconnects than the little skinny junk cables that came with the Best Buy Gear, and with each improvement, sound got better, and better.

I think you get the picture. Mark