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THE vinyl cleaning solution!

Matt Lafayette

Matt Lafayette

Active Member
Allright folks, I've heard a lot of long and complex methods for cleaning vinyl on these pages but I think I've discovered the simplest and best alternative to the chemistry classes that some record lovers advocate for cleaning up their beloved LP's.
I picked up a rare Duke Ellington LP a few weeks ago (circa.1959) and it was understandably quite dirty. I hit it with a liberal shot of D4 solution followed by thorough brushing with the Discwasher.
The result was a dust free record that still sounded like it had been used for a coaster. Now understand that I just love this record "The Duke Plays Ellington" ( entirely piano solos with light drum and stand up bass accompaniement.) but this afternoon I snapped. I couldn't stand the hiss and pop any longer. I took the LP to the sink, gave it a good dousing of Windex and wiped 'er down with a fresh J-Cloth....
The result was astounding. The record sounded mint!
Windex, J-cloth, that's all ya need guys. Give it a try. You won't hurt a thing.
Matt
 
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I often wondered about cleaning solutions for records. I have spent roughly $50 for this cleaner by Last. Three step application and so forth. I wonder.

And these $300 or $400 cleaning machines. Then you need the chemicals.

Matt, what do you mean by J-cloth. I have a yellow cloth that I use to wipe my records. I this the same?

Thanks man
 
J-Cloths

It's a Canadian thing I guess.
They're little blue and white disposable cloths you can get at any grocery store, they're kinda' like heavy duty paper towels but they seem to leave nary a trace of lint. I tell ya man I'm listening to this album again right now and it is UNREAL what a difference the windex made. I imagine a nice clean, soft cloth will do the job though, just make sure you brush the album on the TT to remove any particles left by the cloth.
Cheers!
Matt
 
My cousin turned me on to a way eliminate the hissing and popping sounds while playing my LP's. If they are clean and you still hear hissing and popping just spray a light coat of distilled water on the record and distribute it evenly through the grooves with your record cleaning thingy and presto! Sounds like new! Using distilled water prevents a mineral build up on your record and acts as a cushion of sorts as your stylus glides through the grooves.
 
Windex contains ammonia. Ammonia is toxic and corrosive to vinyl. Keep using Windex and it will destroy your albums. This is no secret.

The accepted cleaning formula (in various doses but still the same formula) used by most any reputable company is 75% distilled water, 25% denatured alcohal, and just a drop of DAWN detergent (or similar agent like Kodax film developer - name escapes me). Why alcohal? It removes residue on and in the grooves. Why distilled water? It evaporates quickly while being the transport for the DAWN. Why DAWN? It is the agent that allows the alcohal and water to penetrate deep into the grooves, as opposed to just bubbleing on the surface. Don't EVER use ammonia or anything corrosive on record vinyl. Record vinyl can easily burn and/or transform and morph under heat. Ammonia = heat. Heat = bad for records.

shame.. :nono:
 
JimmyNeutron said:
or similar agent like Kodax film developer - name escapes me
Click to expand...
NOT developer! It's called photo-flo, and all it does is make the water wet.

"HUH!?!" "WET water?"

The agent (and soap and detergent ad infinitum) is used to break the surface tension of water, allowing it to run into all those those gruvulous grooves on your vinyl. Without the wetting agent, the water's surface tension will keep it from getting all up in your stuff, and we don't want that!
 
Alcohol has been used in the printing industry for many years. It is the wetting agent or surface tension reducer in record cleaning products. If using pure alcohol you get no benefit by going higher than 25% ratio. Alcohol 1 part to 3 parts distilled de-ionzed water is as good has it gets as a wetting agent. You can prove this by placing one drop of water on a mirror and note the size of the puddle. Now create a mix based on the the above ratio and watch what happens to the drop. The reason for combining Alcohol and water is so you have both a water soluble and a near oil souble mix. Pure alcohol will not remove a dried coffee-w-sugar ring but water will. Water will not clean and oil based or film stain very well. It only does so by leaching under the oil and will help lift it. The deteregent is a surfacant and helps surround and lift dirt or grease so it can be released and rinsed or carried away. You do not want a true oil soluble product on your records because it will damage the vinyl. There are many reasons one cleaning will not do the job. Papers contains many things other that wood pulp. Clay is used for several reasons and is a large part of the make up of paper. If dampness or water reaches your albums it can cause growths of mold and micro corral like beasties on your albums. One of the biggest problems with old dirty records is the fact that none of these cleaning agents can disolve mold attachments or mineral in nature growths on albums. They can help lossen and suspend the growths through the mechanical action of cleaning and wiping, but not disolve them. Your stylus can lossen and help remove these attachments but not disolve them. These are crusty crunchy grows that can when knocked loose and work like sand paper. I've only read about one product that claims to remove or disolve the attachments and its the Bugtussel cleaner. I have yet to try it but I do plan to. If these attachments are covered or have layers or films of clay or oils protecting them then the bug juice is not going to be as effective. This is my understanding of the problem with cleaning albums.
 
I have good results from alcohol and water mixed and wiping with a soft cloth. It works better than a disc washer and D4. I may be hurting the vinyl but it seems to be worth the risk.
 
Is there scientific evidence that the concentration of ammonia in Windex would be harmful to the vinyl used in LPs?

I don't use it, just wondering.

Doug
 
Doug G. said:
Is there scientific evidence that the concentration of ammonia in Windex would be harmful to the vinyl used in LPs?

Doug
Click to expand...


Are you kidding?

Tell you what, use Windex and cean your records just a few times. You'll notice the black vinyl surface start to turn white and it won't come off. That's because the vinyl has already begun to burn. Many, many, many, many, many people have learned this the hard way.

Scientific evidence? The scientics won't even bother to prove what your own two eyes can tell you. Try it at home.

Jimmy
 
Here is another vinyl+ammonia experiment. Most auto window tinting systems are a clear vinyl coating. They start out nice and grey, with good adhesion and no bubbles. You are instructed by your installer to NEVER use windex, for any reason! Only use auto glass cleaners that specifically stay SAFE FOR TINT.

Now, imagine all those bubbly, cracked, purple looking tint jobs you see around that look like hell. Those are the people who ignored the 'no windex' advice! The ammonia eats right through the vinyl, causing bubbles, cracks, and severe discoloration. Don't let the same happen to your records.

peace,
sam
 
I just glue the LP to my cars fan pulley, have my wife pedal it to 2500 rpm, and give it a good scouring with my trusty ice-pick !
 
Best cleaning method put an album in a box of sand and put in in the trunk . Drive hard for several days hit a lot of bumps. Take the album out hose it off in the grass and your ready for new vinyl. When you play it, the thing will sound new. :music: :smoke:
 
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