Does anyone use a "Spin Clean Record Washer"

A

afstudio

New Member
Hi,
I'm new to AK and new again to vinyl (after 25 years) and I'm enjoying re-creating my vinyl collection from the 70's and 80's. I can tolerate a bit of surface noise or a few minor scratches with no problem, but I'm wondering if there are any magic cleaning tools or tips out there to improve my purchases. I use the Audio technica version of discwasher and it does an OK job but I'm wondering if the Spin Cleaner sold on Amazon or other methods work better. Any thoughts?!
 
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Do a quick search and you'll no doubt find a lot of thread extolling the virtues and pointing out the limitations of the spin clean...

I know I love mine...
 
Lots of great threads on this subject you can check out.
I'm doing the same as you, but the only experience I have is the old Discwasher bottle and pad method from back in the day which never worked that well.
Spinclean units from what I hear are pretty good and one bottle of solution will last a life time, but you will need tons of lint-free cloths and there is a drying time. You could get a mini shop vac, modify the wand and use it to dry the records, but you still need the clothes because both side of the record will be wet with the Spinclean.

What I'm thinking of doing is this:
ShopVac mod
An old DD TT for turning the record while cleaning
Mo-Fi deep cleaning wash for really dirty records
Mo-Fi super wash for regular cleaning
Distilled water for rinsing if you want (you don't need to rinse with some cleaning solutions like Mo-Fi)
Something to turn the record with (like a drilled hockey puck)
Paint trim brushes (one for each solution and water)
Pump trigger bottle for the water
Anti-static brush
Anti static inner sleeves

Clean the record one side at a time, vacuum dry, put in inner sleeve and then in outer sleeve. Just before play run the anti-static brush over it per instructions and then once after play as well and back into storage.
 
I have one also and use it alot, BUT iv'e had better results using mine as a second stage in the cleaning process. I do a first cleaning in the sink for really dirty records
then follow up using the spin clean. This seems to help with the build up of dirt in the spin clean and also helps to extend the life of the cleaning solution. ( It goes fast if you clean alot of records)
 
I like JT45s approach. I cleaned 20 discs from a junk shop last week end. Most of them were just dusty and the spin clean did a great job. But a really grimy one should get the Dawn/soft brush once over before introducing the SC process. It's simple to use and inexpensive. I sure like mine.
 
i use mine all the time for both used and new records (seems to cut the static cling on new pressings) to very good results!
 
Thanks everyone for your posts! I had no idea that there were so many people out there willing to share their audio wisdom. Most of my friend couldn't care less about audio so AK is a great resource for me.
 
+1 to the Spin Clean. Simple and easy. If you have a Sam's Club in your area, lint free's are cheap (50 for $12, or something like that).
 
I've got one and it does do a good job cleaning.

However you clean your records, I believe that vacuuming should be the last step in the cleaning process. I've had mixed results using the lint free clothes drying the records after spin clean. I do a bit of vinyl to digital transfers (for personal use). Monitoring the noise floor, the SC hand dry/ air dry method usually leaves a "white noise" sound pattern between -50db to -60db, and in some cases audible "crackle" in playback.
 
I love my Spin Clean. Just last week I revived a few of my wife's old lp's.
They were never even dusted in years of her growing up. I mean they were filthy. I have never played any of them. I really figured they were gonners. So, I set up a Technics SL B350 in the shop and tried one, as expected it was unlistenable. I fired up the Spin Clean. I washed the record in the solution, ( actually I cleaned 10 ) Set in a drying rack then rinsed using the Spin Clean and fresh water. Boy what a difference. Very little surface noise and only a few ticks and pops. I repeated the process one more time and got even more dirt off of them. Well, it was worth it. Now listening to Carly Simon Joan Baez Linda Ronstadt and the like. Now for the other 300 or so of her albums. ( we have been married for 18 years)
 
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