Budget record cleaning tips?

[richidoo]

My friend is setup with his new budget system, says it sounds good but his records are filthy and noisy. He's worried about damaging the stylus with the dirty records. He's looking for an effective but inexpensive way to clean records. He is wondering about Disc Doctor stuff for use without a RCM?

I told him about Gem Dandy.  http://www.gmanalog.com/dandy-hydraulic-cleaning.php

Found this on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GROOVMASTER-Label-Saver-45-RPM-single-33-1-3-LP-Album-Vinyl-Record-Cleaner-/390947869768

He is welcome to come use my rcm anytime, but that's not easy with his schedule. I don't know how many records he has.
Thanks guys

[sleepyguy24]

Something I can help/share my experiences with.

I have a Spin Clean somewhere in my garage but can't find it. This is what I have used and still use when I have the time/patience. As of late I've just been playing the real clean records and only cleaning with a Discwasher brush and vacuuming the dust up. That last bit of dust has been a pain in the butt for me and am working on it.

For cleaning fluid I use the recipe mentioned in this video. I believe it is 90% alcohol, Jet Dry Dishwasher fluid and distilled water. I also followed most of the cleaning process in the 1st video and the 2nd one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNLGo5K5m_M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67C3KlBtxYw

This is the brush I used when applying the DIY record cleaning fluid. I got it from Target for a couple of bucks.



I got the lazy susans shown in the 2nd Youtube video at a Big Lots close out store.

I already had a shop vac vacuum but I believe they can be as cheap as $30.

The vacuum attachment I got to clean the records was this one from ebay. $30



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vinyl-Vac-Record-Cleaner-Vacuum-Wand-Use-Your-Own-Vacuum-On-33s-45s-78s-/310643011047?pt=US_Vinyl_Record_Cleaning&hash=item4853c42de7

Some people have made their own wands but I just don't have the patience or time so the $30 was worth it for me.

I got some chamois cloths and micro fiber cloths from either Autozone or a $.99 store.

To clean the stylus I use a Magic Eraser designated just for the stylus.

The stylus brush I have came with the Denon cart I bought.

These methods aren't pretty and are more labor intensive than using a VPI cleaner. It is better than nothing though. I'd rather go through these processes than messing up the needle on a AT150MLX playing dirty records.  That is one sweet cart.

Also thanks for posting those holders that protect the labels. I may have to try those.

[richidoo]

Thanks Sleepy, I like that vac wand!  Jet Dry, that's a new one. It's a wetting agent I think?

I heard this morn that his 4yo got into the TT, not sure about the stylus yet.

[tmazz]

I would be real careful using those paint pads. All of the ones I have ever had have metal tabs that attache the pads to the plastic holder. If you press down too hard they will scratch the record. You can use them, just have a light touch with it.

[BobM]

I concur that the Disk Doctor products are well worth the investment. Plus, if you get the concentrate, you can clean oodles and oodles of records. I haven't run out of my bottle for 10 years now.

[jimbones]

I would be real careful using those paint pads. All of the ones I have ever had have metal tabs that attache the pads to the plastic holder. If you press down too hard they will scratch the record. You can use them, just have a light touch with it.

they make them without the metal clips now. You don't reuse the holder you throw the whole thing out.

[tmazz]

I would be real careful using those paint pads. All of the ones I have ever had have metal tabs that attache the pads to the plastic holder. If you press down too hard they will scratch the record. You can use them, just have a light touch with it.

they make them without the metal clips now. You don't reuse the holder you throw the whole thing out.

Good to know. I've never seen them.

[BobM]

Here's a thread on AC that may be of interest:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=127804.0

[jimbones]

Or you can build one of these 


http://www.audionervosa.com/index.php?topic=4911.0