So, yet another record cleaning thread, but I'm having some issues while cleaning my (small) collection. I don't have a vacuum cleaning machine, though I think I might rig together a manual, hand-spinning system with a vacuum in the near future, and once I have the money for a VPI 16.5, I might spring for that. However, in the mean-time, I'm using my homemade solution of distilled water, 99% isopropyl alcohol, and a little fotoflow as well as a drop of dawn (in a gallon of solution).

Anyways, I haven't been having a lot of luck with this. I've been using a paint pad saturated with the solution to clean the grooves, then rinsing in water from the tap. I would prefer to rinse with distilled, but I don't really want to be buying gallons and gallons of distilled water just for that. The tap water rinse doesn't really work, to be honest. If I let the records air dry, I get some noticeable water spots, but if I try to dry them, similar problems occur. Next I might just try not rinsing, and trying to get the residue lifted from the grooves with my carbon fiber brush....

Any other hand-cleaners out there have any suggestions as whether to rinse/not rinse.

Just started cleaning my records for the first time yesterday and here is what I do (I use the same mixture as you but without the fotoflow). I use a spray bottle to spray the mixture on the record, you don't need to much but you still need enough. Then I put the record on my TT and hand spin it from the edge while I scrub it with a natural bristle paint brush that I have trimmed down. Then I use a microfiber cloth to pick up all the crud and the cleaning solution. It works very well. The microfiber cloths can be had at most walmatrs and auto stores.

Also, make sure not to get any of the cleaning fluid on the label, it makes spots.

If you're getting water spots, then I'd say you need to rinse with distilled water. You can buy one of those spray bottles for a couple dollars to put the distilled in and if you spray it on, you wont be using that much. Distilled water is pretty cheap as well. I'd use a microfiber towel to remove most of the water afterwards, then let them air dry for a while. Better yet, use 2 microfiber towels- one to lay the record on and one to lay on top and just blot dry. Then air dry.

You all know by now I'm the Windex man (for solution). But I do use a cut down natural bristle paint brush to loosen the crud in the bottom of the groove. I do all this on an old dry fluffy white bath towel folded in half so the record has lots of absorbency under it. I spray four or five spritzes around the playing surface, go around about three times from the inside out so I get the lead in groove cleaned, and then wipe up with a really old VERY soft wash cloth. I keep the ones the wife wants to throw out. I fold in half and roll up to be about a inch in diameter. That gives me about 7 or 8 fresh areas to clean with as I re-roll.

I go around with a rolling motion and a LOT of downward pressure to squeegee out the solution and crud and get the terry cloth fibers into the groove. I roll the cloth as I go so I have a new surface always picking up the solution and crud. It works well and dries in a few seconds. Shine it under a light to see if there are any residual marks. If so, do it again. I've taken off candy, drink spills, water marks and such from vinyl I thought were sure losers (all my stuff comes from thrifts).

Next up is a RCM when I can get around to it with a vacuum, but in the meantime, this gets a lot out by the look of the pick-up terry. Some of these sessions come out brown with dirt/plastic flakes. Most records play very well after this (pretty quiet). It's good enough for test playing under a DJ cart to see if there are other issues like maybe I don't like the music or the piece was badly pressed or mastered, etc. It's an OK first session. Maybe something like this will work for you'all ??

Steam distilled isn't all that expensive, and tap water is going to leave minerals. I only end up using a couple of cups per 15 record session between the solution and the tinse, and the results are noticable.

You can buy one of those spray bottles for a couple dollars to put the distilled in and if you spray it on, you wont be using that much.

:yes:

Thanks for all the suggestions...I will continue to experiment (on my least favorite records, of course) and take some of these things into account.

It is probably considered pure lunacy here but I rinse with a pure cotton diaper that is soaked with distilled water.

I used good quality paper towels. Use 1 to partial dry , then another to finish. As they get used, discard. This keeps the dirt from being transfered down the line. Cost is minimal & is easier than monkeying with a vacuum.

broc- you're gonna get in a lot of trouble for using windex.

broc- you're gonna get in a lot of trouble for using windex.

I've been advised not to, but having a hard time weening myself away from it. Been doing it for over 20 years. Still can't see any residue and can't see any noticeable chemical reaction on the vinyl. The Windex bottles are plastic and they do not dissolve, turn white or milky and neither do the records. Still waiting for some definative evidence that it's bad? I even soaked a warped throw away record in it overnight - nada :scratch2:

I use a homebrew vacuum RCM and just started a distilled water rinse. It's dirt cheap and just gives me an extra shot at removing any residual cleaner from the LP.

Dribble it on, spread it around with a dedicated paint pad and vacuum it off.

broc-- you are hovering on the very brink of a vinyl apocalypse, completely out to lunch about the severe consequences of using that stuff on your records. i theorize that some day soon, they will all turn to white dust and blow away. and there you'll stand, hands in pockets, wondering what happened.

don't say you haven't been warned; and if you don't straighten up soon, this whole windex thing will go down on your permanent record !!

Ok, here's a question...microfiber cloths. Should I dry my records with these, if they are labeled as part polyester, part polyamide, or should I just go for something that is 100% cotton?

Is this a Scientific Question? You guys must be, or have been Federal Employees.:D