Hi everyone, new member here. I am getting into vinyl for the first time. My family had an old Pioneer back in the early '80s that I would listen to as a kid, I don't really remember the sound quality. Got into good quality audio maybe five or so years ago, CDs only, but I always had the intention of doing vinyl, and now I am! My old vinyls, and eBay purchases, are in good shape but definitely need a cleaning.
I will be buying a Groovmaster and using this method with some slight variations. I plan to use distilled water, as someone here said that regular water contains some undissolved solids that could scratch the vinyl. It's probably at such a microscopic level that it may not matter, but buying a jug of distilled at the grocery store costs only a couple of bucks.
I may apply via a paintbrush, but I also plan to use a brush made specifically for wet cleaning of vinyl, maybe a Clearaudio Pure Groove. The solution will be simply Dawn and warmed distilled water. Then rinse with clean distilled water and then air dry.
I've been debating whether to vacuum, but to be honest I don't see how it'll do anything. Vacuuming's benefit seems to be in drying records so that mineral deposits aren't left on the vinyl. But if you only use distilled water that's not a problem. Another benefit seems to be that it sucks up dirty fluid and any gunk in the grooves. But that's only there because with most RCMs you apply the fluid and simply push it through the grooves. You don't actually rinse the dirty solution off. Why would anything stay on the record if you use detergent, agitate with a brush, and then rinse it off? The rinse should get every bit of debris off the record. Usually methods that apply direct contact and agitation (like the soap and water method) are better than those that do not. Like a touchless vs. touch car wash. The touch wash always cleans better. I have some doubt as to whether a vacuum cleaner will truly get everything out of the grooves. Vacuums aren't always the best at sucking up things that are kind of stuck to a surface, like dog hair stuck to the floor with a bit of water.
One other thought...I know people want brushes that get right into the grooves. I am trying to accomplish that by using the Clearaudio wet brush. But I don't think it's absolutely necessary. A brush with bristles that are a bit too large will still push water and detergent through the grooves and thus create some agitation that way. This is probably why a simple paint brush is sufficient.
Anyhow, thanks to the OP for sharing this method. It seems extremely effective both from a cost and cleaning perspective.
