What is the best record cleaning solution

philmc · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:17 pm Post subject:

Anyone know what Anchor ethanol is denatured with in New Zealand. I'm trying it in a DIY solution, getting some smears and wondering if that is the problem?

Kia Ora all - first post - just found you.

flavio81 · contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 2030 Location: Lima

Just FYI, i'm having GREAT success wiping records with a solution made of :

- distilled water
- sonax clear view concentrate (car windshield cleaner) mixed 1:100 with the water.

Its formula is currently being discussed on the "wet playing revisited" thread (forum: cartridges)

Alec124c41 · Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:30 am Post subject:

From Sonax website:

We searched for years trying to find a glass polish that really works as advertised. Frustrated with the results, we decided to engineer our own. Introducing Z-12 Clear-View Glass Polish™. Formulated with mild abrasives, Z-12 Clear-View Glass Polish™ deep cleans and polishes all glass surfaces with ease. It quickly removes acid rain spots, hard water spots, road film, stubborn bird stains, and that annoying interior glass film. Z-12 Clear-View Glass Polish™ is so effective, it even removes fine to medium scratches. We have yet to find a stain that Z-12 Clear-View Glass Polish™ did not remove from glass. It leaves glass crystal clear and sparkling.

* Will not distort glass.
* Great for restoring old windshields.
* Can also be used to clean and brighten chrome and other metal surfaces.
* For hand or machine use.
* Not for use on aftermarket window tint, coated glass, painted or plastic surfaces.

Cheers,
Alec

HibouProfane · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:33 am Post subject:

I've been following this thread with great interest. I tried locating Triton X-100, Monolan 2000 and Tergitol S-9, but I only found Internet sources, nothing I could buy in a store near my home. I didn't feel like spending 40$ and waiting a month to get the product, so I opted for Photo-Flo, which I got for 8.95$ for a 16 fl oz bottle. I know it's supposedly unsuitable for cleaning record, but as someone said earlier, it's only a few drops a liter and it's going to be rinced twice with distilled water. Besides, the next alternative is Jet-Dry, which I already tried and wasn't impressed with. For Christ's sake, it's meant for cleaning dishes, it can't be good for vinyl!

I'm going to test the solution (with isopropyl) today.

By the way, I saw 95% denatured ethanol at the drugstore. There was camphre and other products (probably methanol) in it. It was meant for rubbing and disinfecting, not the varnish thinner type. It was very affordable (5$ a 500 ml bottle). Do you think it's worth testing?

flavio81 · contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 2030 Location: Lima

Alec124c41 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:04 am Post subject:

HibouProfane · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:02 am Post subject:

OK, ethanol is ruled out, but what about methanol or wood spirit? I just saw some in a hardware store. It's cheap, and 99.9% pure. Someone said he used it with good results. Any counter advice? Any advantage over isopropanol? I like the fact that it's chemically the simplest of all alcool. Am I wrong to assume it's more volatile and a better wetting agent?

Alec124c41 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:11 am Post subject:

Just stick with isopropyl. It works, and methanol and ethanol are reported to be much harder on vinyl.
The most important thing about a decent cleaner is that you use it to get your records clean. Then, with careful handling, a carbon brush should be all you need. You don't have to shave 2/10 of a second off a 100 meter dash here, just get them clean, once.
Better to fuss with your cartridge set-up.

Cheers,
Alec

HibouProfane · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:15 am Post subject:

Yeah, you're right. You know how we are, vinyl junkies, always fiddling and twiddling to get the perfect formula.

Actually, I should focus on the brush/cloth part of the process.

Alec124c41 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 1:20 am Post subject:

Brushes and cloths are cheaper than cartridges and arms... Twisted Evil

Cheers,
Alec

flavio81 · contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 2030 Location: Lima

Alec124c41 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:21 am Post subject:

I stick with simple. I haven't used wet play, but should I have to archive any fine old music, that is otherwise unplayable, I would.
I don't yet have a RCM, but when I have room cleared out, I hope to,
whether DIY or purchased. Then I will be more interested in the finer points of cleaning solutions, and would consider some of the suggestions that have been tried successfully, and mentioned here.
Some of the records I pick up are so dirty I wash them in the sink first, using tepid tap-water and hand or dish soap. After a rinse, I will get to them with a D4 brush and my distilled/isopropyl/photo-flo mix.
I know that some organic solvents, including alcohols, are far too aggressive to use on vinyl, so I will stick with what is known to work.
The most important thing about cleaning records is to clean them. If careful use of a spray bottle, cloths and brushes works, great. I can certainly see how a RCM can make life easier, though.

Cheers,
Alec

flavio81 · contributor Joined: 16 Sep 2009 Posts: 2030 Location: Lima

Letitroll98 · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject:

flavio, you keep recommending the glass cleaner when the posted ingredients look suspect, even on the post you made. (The quote below is edited for clarity removing item from the list such water, alcohols, and surfactants that are not controversial)