• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

The best record cleaning brush I have ever used...and so cheap!

Kico

Kico

Here's lookin' at you kid
Been spinning vinyl for years and cleaning LP's by hand for years. I have tried many cleaning methods and recommended brushes and this is very best brush in my opinion. Use it with your own formula or a purchased one. The microfiber type brush material won't damage your vinyl and does a superior job in cleaning and it fits LP's perfectly.

The fibers are angled and can be used in either a push or pull direction. It has a hand/thumb grip which makes it very easy to use too. Cheap at your local Home Depot ($2.97)with replaceable pads. Also works very well to remove dust before playing. Just don't let your "highfalutin" audiophile friends see you using this :D.

Give it a try guys, I think you'll agree it does the job extremely well.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1388.jpg
    IMG_1388.jpg
    47.1 KB · Views: 1,727
  • IMG_1390.jpg
    IMG_1390.jpg
    37.3 KB · Views: 1,001
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Yep. They work quite well. I use the smaller versions.

022384015203xl.jpg
 
I use the one in the original post. I actually run it sideways on my vpi 16.5, and I think it works extremely well.

The one doubt I have is that the bristles are more distinct than the velvet nitty gritty brush (more specific points than a continuous fabric) so I occasionally wonder if I'm "missing a groove" as I clean the albums.

Does that make sense?
 
Interesting... I've used those little dusting sheets in the past in a pinch. Usually I use an old D3 Discwasher brush and fluid that I throw together.
 
jgordon said:
I use the one in the original post. I actually run it sideways on my vpi 16.5, and I think it works extremely well.

The one doubt I have is that the bristles are more distinct than the velvet nitty gritty brush (more specific points than a continuous fabric) so I occasionally wonder if I'm "missing a groove" as I clean the albums.

Does that make sense?
Click to expand...

But the record groove is not straight (which means it will be hit by bristles no matter what).
 
Agreed on the first point. But if you take my argument to an extreme (a brush with one bristle) it will not hit each groove (yes, it's one groove, but in a given slice of lp, there are multiple grooves) in a given pass. So my concern is simply the number of bristles relative to the number of grooves, and their ability to spend adequate time scrubbing each one. From that perspective, the velvet-covered brushes are better, as they have a wider and more contiguous contact patch.

If you take that hypothetical brush, you'd have to have X number of bristles to be sure you're getting into each groove. Ideally the number of bristles would match or exceed the number of grooves. I'm just not sure the number of bristles from the paint brush that contact the area of the lp to be cleaned are sufficient.

That said, I continue to use the paint pad because I believe it cleans better. Just an idle thought I've had from time to time. Can you tell I'm a bit ocd about this stuff?


robgmn said:
But the record groove is not straight (which means it will be hit by bristles no matter what).
Click to expand...
 
I've been using their edgers (paint spreaders) for about a year now. The only thing to note is that sometimes the fibers come off and can be seen on the record. They do not have enough mass to damage the stylus, but they might cause a pop. I haven't ever noticed it, though.
 
js1138 said:
I've been using their edgers (paint spreaders) for about a year now. The only thing to note is that sometimes the fibers come off and can be seen on the record. They do not have enough mass to damage the stylus, but they might cause a pop. I haven't ever noticed it, though.
Click to expand...

I use a dry carbon fiber brush before playing. Gets rid of any of the little fuzzies that may still be there.
 
I was using one of those pads for wet cleaning but have recently gone to the Spin-Clean.
Still using a carbon brush before cuing the stylus each LP side.
Use ME after every few LPs.
 
I just went out and bought one. Yep, $2.97!:thmbsp:

I also have a Spin Clean but my brushes are worn out. I'll manually clean the record with this new brush. The old Spin Clean brushes can just hold the record in place while I clean it. Don't want to spend $24.95 for new SC brushes. I have some records that need to be cleaned, will clean them tomorrow. I'll let know how it turns out.
 
Ilikevinyl said:
I just went out and bought one. Yep, $2.97!:thmbsp:

I also have a Spin Clean but my brushes are worn out. I'll manually clean the record with this new brush. The old Spin Clean brushes can just hold the record in place while I clean it. Don't want to spend $24.95 for new SC brushes. I have some records that need to be cleaned, will clean them tomorrow. I'll let know how it turns out.
Click to expand...

I'll be interested to hear what you think...I've been using these for better than three years after trying many other brushes that were recommended for wet cleaning. Nothing, I repeat nothing has done a better job for me. My ears prove it!

I use a vigorous scrubbing motion (back and forth) at least two times around LP using the long dimension of the brush towards spindle hole and then rotate the brush 90 degrees and round go another couple of times then rinse with distilled H20 from my spray bottle. I dry between two 16" microfiber cloths.

You can, with the right pressure and on a flat surface, actually feel the brush following the grooves-- like a tire in a rut...the bristles want to stay there and do their thing.
 
Interesting, been using MSFL brushes, they do a good job.. might have to try these.. Only concern I have it the hard plastic, the MSFL brushes and a soft rubber so if you whoops, you you don't do serious damage.
 
Thanks to the op.
This is timely for me.
What do you suggest using to clean old records picked up at a used record store?
Not knowing if the older record has ever been cleaned.
Some of my records LOOK fine but I have not played them yet.
Can an older and dirty album damage the needle?
 
Ilikevinyl said:
I just went out and bought one. Yep, $2.97!:thmbsp:

I also have a Spin Clean but my brushes are worn out. I'll manually clean the record with this new brush. The old Spin Clean brushes can just hold the record in place while I clean it. Don't want to spend $24.95 for new SC brushes. I have some records that need to be cleaned, will clean them tomorrow. I'll let know how it turns out.
Click to expand...

I have a Spin Clean II and sometimes I just use my SC brushes (not worn out yet)
with distilled water for a quick wipe down on Lp's that I have used the S/C on and vacuumed dry. I need to go to Home Depot for A/C filters so I will try one of these Shur-Line. Those SC brushes are a bit over priced.
 
gyrene said:
What do you suggest using to clean old records picked up at a used record store?
Not knowing if the older record has ever been cleaned.
Some of my records LOOK fine but I have not played them yet.
Can an older and dirty album damage the needle?
Click to expand...

Purchase or build a record cleaning machine if you get most of your vinyl used. Every record that comes in the door at my house gets cleaned. Yes, a dirty album + your needle could damage your record. Clean is king, and for thrift records, most of which were probably never cleaned and have years of oils, mold spores, bong resin, cheetos and general filth in their grooves, a wet clean and vacuum is the best Rx.
 
DustyOldPile said:
Purchase or build a record cleaning machine if you get most of your vinyl used. Every record that comes in the door at my house gets cleaned. Yes, a dirty album + your needle could damage your record. Clean is king, and for thrift records, most of which were probably never cleaned and have years of oils, mold spores, bong resin, cheetos and general filth in their grooves, a wet clean and vacuum is the best Rx.
Click to expand...

:thmbsp: A DIY vacuum wand with a pad or micro fiber towel fixed to it works great to remove all the cleaning fluid and trash from the grooves. Then repeat with distilled water rise and vacuum and play:music:.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/43284454@N04/7756549852/][/URL]

I super glued several layers of a micro fiber towel(blue) for my DIY vacuum wand.
Note the weave line are towards the grooves in the LP.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom