Give me some tips for hand cleaning Records

[Shadowman82]

So I have some used records ( and some new ones for some reason) that have finger prints and other spots on there . Now I don't really have the money right now or the space for a record cleaning machine so I was looking for some tips for doing a hand cleaning .

Now I can dig using a water , isotrophyl alcohol mix for the actual cleaning . But how do you apply these ? I could see using that Disc washer thingy to get them on the record but if you make your own solution how do you get just a little bit evenly on that disc washer thing ?

Also what do you put the record on while you're cleaning ? The Turntable ? Is that not dangerous ? You know , using liquids on electronics ?

From other threads I've read it seems it's a good idea to use some distilled water to rinse the record or is that not necessary when using the disc washer ?

What does one use to dry the record ? I don't want to air dry them . Anyone ever tried using a hair dryer ? I know the heat could warp the records but what about using the hairdryers "cool" mode where it doesn't produce any heat ?

[LousyTourist]

Tips? You can start by reading the 1000 threads on the subject in this forum

You don't need to break the bank to have clean records. Buy a stack of terrycloth washcloths and another stack of microfibre cloths... that plus distilled water and the alcohol (and maybe some Simply Green) should set you back less than $10.

You'll need squeeze bottles to apply your DIY cleaning solution. Go for the plastic that looks milky -- forget the name, I think PTFE -- and a flip top. Some people swear by mustard containers... those should work too.

On a water resistant table, put down one clean terrycloth washcloth and set your record on it. Squirt it with your diy fluid and smear around with either a microfibre cloth or even one of those cloths brushes with the velcro. Once you're sure it's been properly smeared about, wipe off with a dry microfibre.

Here's the magic part.

Put your head down close to the record off to the side and examine it for fingerprint smears. With the oh-so-slightly damp microfibre cloth that you just wiped the cleaning fluid off, scrub back and forth till the smudge goes away. Turn the record (and terrycloth) a few degrees and re-examine and repeat until you have done the full 360.

Do the same for the other side.

Spritz with distilled water, wipe dry with clean microfibre. Do that step TWICE.

Repeat for other side.

[Shadowman82]

Could one use a spray bottle to apply home made cleaning solution ? Actually I think the discwasher comes with a squirt bottle of cleaner . Maybe one could reuse that after the cleaninf fluid it ships with is used up ?

[mbenga]

i actually intend on using a spray bottle too, for a couple of mixes. i'm planning to use 70% isopropyl alcohol with distilled water and possibly drops of powerhouse lemon fresh cleaner, and another with denatured alcohol and distilled water.

[Shadowman82]

I'm also interested in possibly getting the spin cleaner record cleaner . I'm not sure though if I can get in Canada .

[Alec124c41]

For a bit more, the PHK vacuum machine does an excellent job. I got mine from Brazil in 7 days.
http://www.maquinaphk.xpg.com.br/models.html

Cheers,
Alec

[Shadowman82]

Thanks for the link , though I don't really want one where I have to supply the vaccum .

It's not that I don't have the money to buy a Nitty Gritty 1.5 or a VPI 16.5 but it is a large investment and I honestly don't know how different a cleaned record sounds to one that is dirty . Also space to store such a machine is a bit of a hassle , I'd have to store it on the floor somewhere which might mess up the carpet for all I know .

[Shadowman82]

I decided to hand clean a couple of used 5 dollar records today . I figured if something goes wrong they were only 5 bucks . So what I did is I mixed 50ml of 99% Isopropyl alcohol with 200ml of water . Then I took a soft sponge , dunked it into my mixture and used it to clean the Vinyl , then I rinse the record with water and dried it . Now I'm a sure a record cleaning machine would do a better job but my method did seem to remove any fingerprints and smudges on those two records . I did also think they sounded better , though they still crackle do to having scratches .

I contacted a local dealer for VPI and they said the VPI HW 16.5 record cleaning machine sells for $650 Canadian . Like I said I'm sure it's better than hand cleaning the way I did , but yeah it's allot of money .

[LousyTourist]

I decided to hand clean a couple of used 5 dollar records today . I figured if something goes wrong they were only 5 bucks . So what I did is I mixed 50ml of 99% Isopropyl alcohol with 200ml of water . Then I took a soft sponge , dunked it into my mixture and used it to clean the Vinyl , then I rinse the record with water and dried it . Now I'm a sure a record cleaning machine would do a better job but my method did seem to remove any fingerprints and smudges on those two records . I did also think they sounded better , though they still crackle do to having scratches .

I contacted a local dealer for VPI and they said the VPI HW 16.5 record cleaning machine sells for $650 Canadian . Like I said I'm sure it's better than hand cleaning the way I did , but yeah it's allot of money .

It wasn't clear from your post if you used distilled water or tap water. Please let it be distilled water; tap water is very bad to use for cleaning records.

$5 for a record? Gee, that's about 10x as much as I usually pay

[Shadowman82]

I've heard that some people claim that tap water leaves water spots on the record , this maybe though I kind of think this maybe more of a problem if one lets them air dry . So yes I did use tap water to answer your question . But like I said they were cheap records and one of them is quite scratched . That's why I tested hand washing on them . I just wanted to see what it would do . I probably wouldn't even hand wash my good records .

As for the price of used records ... I kind of find that anything under 5 bucks is often just way too scratched , at least in the stores I went to .

[jlv]

Hi to all,

This is my first post on this forum and I thought I could contribute telling how I clean my precious LPs without spending huge money for a cleaning machine.

I think that a big difference is made by the vacuum which swallows all the "mud" after applying the liquid (home made for a liter: 80% of distilled water, 20% of Isopropyl alcohol, ONEdrop of dish washing liquid and one drop of surfacing liquid for negatives rinsing solution (Mirasol 2000 from Tetenal) or regular market product: I use Pure 2).

When you buy a vacuum , you get a little accessory used to clean the difficult to reach spaces of radiators. (the flat tube)
1st: you saw it to make the end 90° and not the usual 45°. (after that, make the upper bout smooth with sand paper)
2d: you fix a "de make up cotton patch" with a simple rubber band.
3rd: you cut and make a hole on the top of the patch with a cutter and start the vacuum. It will vacuum the center part of the patch.
4th: you apply the liquid one one side and vacuum, then repeat the process for other side
5th: mandatory: use a new antistatic inner sleeve.

I seems complicated but it is not.
It works perfectly well and I think probably better that some machines due to the stronger strength of the suction.

Please forgive my mistakes as english is not my mother tongue.

I will be pleased to explain everything that could be unclear.

All the best
JLV from south of France

[Shadowman82]

Not a bad idea but the problem I see with that is that you can't use a normal vac as those are not designed to suck up liquids . You then have to get a wet/dry vac which yes would be cheaper than a record cleaning machine but is still a bit of an expense . It's different of coarse if you already have a wet/dry vac .

[jlv]

Hi Shadowman,

You don't need a special vacuum for liquids.
Most of it will stay in the cotton patch which will be changed every two or three records.
The left part which will come in through the pipe is harmless.

I cleaned hundreds of records with this method and my vacuum operates like the first day.

All the best,

JLV

[Shadowman82]

I see . Not that I would employ this method since I'm not a do it yourself kind of guy but wouldn't the cotton patch be dirty from the first record and theoretically have to be changed after every record ?