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Question about record cleaning

Tmac83

Tmac83

Super Member
Ok so I purchased a bottle of MoFi Super Record Wash as well as a couple of MoFI Brushes. The record wash says to put on the record and then spread and clean, ok no problem. Then it says to vacuum dry. Do I just use a regular vacuum, or wet/dry vac or is this only for machines? Sorry for my ignorance in advance.


TC
 
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Tmac83 said:
Ok so I purchased a bottle of MoFi Super Record Wash as well as a couple of MoFI Brushes. The record wash says to put on the record and then spread and clean, ok no problem. Then it says to vacuum dry. Do I just use a regular vacuum, or wet/dry vac or is this only for machines? Sorry for my ignorance in advance.


TC
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Search for DIY RCM on the forums, you'll find tons of info.

I use a regular vac and a modified crevice tool, like this one. The amount of fluid being vacuumed is so small, I've never had a problem.

Some members have found there is a small wet/dry vac at Walmart (around $25) with an upholstery tool that is easily modded for vinyl just by adding velvet to the lip.

Basically, you need to make the part of the vac that interfaces with the vinyl surface soft to protect the record.

If you have the budget, skip all the DIY and go for a commercial machine.
 
they are referring to a vacuum record cleaner like the VPI or the Nitty Gritty; it is a turntable looking device with a vacuum wand that removes the cleaning fluid. in a pinch, you can improvise one with the crevice tool from a small handheld machine. search for record cleaning here on this forum and you will discover a wealth of info
 
RCM's

The reference is to vacuum record cleaning machines such as VPI or Nitty Gritty.

The idea is once you've suspended the crud in the cleaning solution, you vacuum it away. If you just let the cleaning solution dry, you've redistributed the loosened crud, not removed it.

Do a search here and you'll find a wealth of information.

I recently finished my DIY vacuum machine based on the VPI wands and it has made me a convert. My old method was fluid and brushes. Vacuuming makes a clearly audible difference.

Good luck,
Doug
PS: Shrinkboy beat me to the "send" button by three minutes. I didn't see his response until mine posted. It's amazing how similar our responses are.
 
Ok I'd like to make the crevice tool, but I don't have the tools. Can I use a round suction tool with the long bristles or will that damage the record? Also I cleaned a Norah Jones record and there is a scratch through 3 tracks that is completely audible now:tears: I just bought it new a couple of months ago and I am wondering if it came that way..... either way it is frustrating.
 
Tmac83 said:
Ok I'd like to make the crevice tool, but I don't have the tools.
Click to expand...

Go to the local thrift store to find the appropriate crevice tool or if that fails to a vacuum cleaner sales place. Slit tool about 4 inches (approximate width of standard record) long and maybe a 1/16 - 1/8 in width. A dremel is handy if you have it but if you don't just use your swiss army pocket knife or box cutters, etc. This doesn't have to be pretty. Glue on velvet ribbon. Slit ribbon to match slit in tool. You are good to go.
 
Alright sounds good, I have the crevice tool, I guess I just need to buy some velvet ribbion. I didn't figure a swiss army knife or a box cutter would be able to go cut through the plastic, but I will sure give it a try. I figured I would need a dremel. I will post some pics when I finish it up. Thanks guys


TC
 
Just an update for you guys. Made the first part of my DIY record cleaner tonight. Tomorrow I will go grab some velvet ribbon. Here are some pics. Cheers

TC
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One thing that I didn't see mentioned about making the vacuum wand is that you'll want to plug the end of it so that it pulls the air through the slit that you cut in it. For this you could do any number of things, a piece of wood cut to size and glued in, or you could fill it with silicone sealer or maybe even hot glue. Or maybe you already did this and I couldn't see it in the pic, but it doesn't look like it's plugged. Otherwise, it looks good to go.
 
I was going to get a hot glue gun at the craft store when I go to get the ribbon, but you are right its not plugged yet.
 
stuckinthe70s said:
One thing that I didn't see mentioned about making the vacuum wand is that you'll want to plug the end of it so that it pulls the air through the slit that you cut in it. For this you could do any number of things, a piece of wood cut to size and glued in, or you could fill it with silicone sealer or maybe even hot glue. Or maybe you already did this and I couldn't see it in the pic, but it doesn't look like it's plugged. Otherwise, it looks good to go.
Click to expand...

I say use duct tape. It would probably be the easiest. :thmbsp:
 
Final Product

Went and picked up some wonderful holiday velvet ribbon today for a $1.99. Had to get a hot glue gun too and some glue for it. Tried it out and it works great. Almost sucks the record right off the platter. Here are the final pics. Cheers!

TC

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So, did you use the hot glue to attach the velvet to the crevice tool. I made one too, but used super glue. It already came apart once.
 
Record Vacume

Agon recently had a DiscDoctor RCM listed for $60 obo and a VPI16 RCM listed for $180 obo. IMO not break the bank money for a real RCM.
 
I just won a NG 1.0 on the auction site. The seller is shipping it with brand new replacement velvet "lips".

Anything special I should know about these machines?
It will be my first experience with one of them, I tried the modified crevice tool myself but found that there was too much suction, record was stuck by suction.
 
geode said:
So, did you use the hot glue to attach the velvet to the crevice tool. I made one too, but used super glue. It already came apart once.
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No it hasn't come apart, but I did wear the velvet thin in a couple of places, so I ripped of the piece I had and put a new one on. I am trying to clean at least 10 records per week. It's going to take a while to get everything clean.
 
Tmac83 said:
No it hasn't come apart, but I did wear the velvet thin in a couple of places, so I ripped of the piece I had and put a new one on. I am trying to clean at least 10 records per week. It's going to take a while to get everything clean.
Click to expand...


I put another layer of velvet on using the hot glue. It has held up pretty good. I have cleaned probably 25 or so LPs, so far. It does a nice job. Thanks.
 
I have been using the round brush tool while procrastinating on modifying the crevice tool. It's a little more work, but the results are satisfactory. By a little more work, I mean it takes longer to suck the record dry. I've been procrastinating thusly for about 3 years...
 
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