Is a "Carbon Fibre Brush" useful for cleaning?

[Bruce Cortesi]

Cuts should read as "dust" sorry for the spelling error.

[System92]

Hi I don't mean to hijack the thread but since it's sort-of on subject I thought I'd ask here instead of creating a new one.

When I run my CF brush over the record before playing it, the brush itself is leaving its own bristles on the record. I can successfully remove the dust, but in exchange I spread fine carbon fiber "hairs" all over the disc. The brush is brand new, and I'm wondering if this is normal? And if it can be damaging to listen to the record with these CF specs still present? I try my best to get them off but black on black isn't always easy to see...

Thanks for any insight!

[LousyTourist]

buy a new brush, from some other manufacturer.

[Dimal]

buy a new brush, from some other manufacturer.

Agree...

I still use my original "Zeepa" CF Brush, which I bought nearly 40 years ago and it doesn't lose bristles, even to this day....

Mal.

[Hugues TR4]

Hi system 92,
Bought a new dual line carbon micro fiber brush bearing the "Thorens" brand: no problem whatsoever. Yours must be defective in some way. Strange...
Do try and find another one.

Cheers,

Hugh.

[Tedrick]

The cheap, knock-off copies of the CF brushes are well known for shedding. Buy a name brand one from Audioquest, Clearaudio, Hunt, or Acoustech. At US$25 to $35, they may at first seem a little pricey, but when you consider that a top quality brush can last 10 or even 20 years, the cost per year is pretty darn cheap.

[System92]

Alright, thanks guys!

I bought the cheapest one thinking that there can't possibly be a difference in quality for a simple thing like a brush... but obviously I was wrong!

Does anyone know if I've been damaging the records or the needle while playing if ever there were bristles left accidentally?

[pivot]

Does anyone know if I've been damaging the records or the needle while playing if ever there were bristles left accidentally?

I would not loose sleep over that.

Let me join the chorus saying decent examples don't shed. I've been using the same Audioquest brush for over a decade. I have a new one as a spare but I have not seen a reason to switch to it. The AcousTech sold by Disc Doctor looks like the same thing.

Get a good one. They seem to last a good long time.

[LousyTourist]

Alright, thanks guys!

I bought the cheapest one thinking that there can't possibly be a difference in quality for a simple thing like a brush... but obviously I was wrong!

Does anyone know if I've been damaging the records or the needle while playing if ever there were bristles left accidentally?

yes, your records and turntable are rubbish now. I'll take them off your hands for a nominal fee.

[jives11]

Hmmm, I have a no-name carbon fiber brush I got from Maplins for £10, and I have to say it looks exactly like the expensive AudioQuest etc other ones I see on the web. In fact they all look exactly the same. Are we *sure* they don't all come out of the same factory ?

Mine does not shed, and does a good job of lifting a lot of dust. however my concern is that after brushing, the album can leave a lot of static, so much when I flip, the cork mat often remains stuck to the LP underside. a get a lit of static clicks picked up while removing/flipping

So I thought perhaps there really is some difference between these brushes, but I read a review of the Hunt EDA brush on Amazon where the reviewer describes exactly the same static build up I'm seeing. I've tried running the brush along the spindle before and after (the spindle is earthed), also earthing myself via the volume knob on the amp.

So anyone else having post-brushing static problems. I'd love someone to tell me these brushes aren't all made in the same Chinese factory. If one can clean and discharge static harmlessly I'll get it.

[geddy]

I am thinking of buying a mixture of cleaning fluid with a soft cloth and a carbon-fibre brush to clean my records. Would this do?

I found this video which kind of suggests it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHMyyQIVMdI

Using these two products:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Record-Cleaner- ... 611&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Project-PRJ-BRU ... -2-catcorr

[pivot]

Hmmm, I have a no-name carbon fiber brush I got from Maplins for £10, and I have to say it looks exactly like the expensive AudioQuest etc other ones I see on the web. In fact they all look exactly the same. Are we *sure* they don't all come out of the same factory ?
.

I am pretty sure that some other brands are as good, the same, as the Audioquest. I did, however, try a less expensive knockoff that "looked just like" but it shed and side by side seemed more cheaply made and the bristles were more coarse. I chucked it out.

Could well be that the Maplins one you have IS just the same as the Audioquest but, just saying that there are some cheap knockoffs out there that are substandard.

[bauzace50]

Hi,
a carbon fiber brush I had (virtually identical to the Audioquest, but of another brand) did not lift dust from my LPs. On the contrary, it left a "line" of dust on the LP, where I had lifted it off.

This was so following the instructions, and even standing barefoot over the cement floor as a ground path.

I did not try moistening the fibers very lightly, such as brushing it over a moist clean rag before using. This could be an effective option.

My best results with brushes have been following the instructions with Discwasher, and with those included in the LAST kits.

But my best results of all have been with a record washing machine by VPI. But I still use the Watts Dust Bug on every playing, as an old acquired habit, and it lifts up mini-fibers often.

[Tedrick]

I am thinking of buying a mixture of cleaning fluid with a soft cloth and a carbon-fibre brush to clean my records. Would this do?

I found this video which kind of suggests it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHMyyQIVMdI

Using these two products:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Record-Cleaner- ... 611&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Project-PRJ-BRU ... -2-catcorr

Yes, will work okay. Just be sure to (a) use microfiber cloth as that seems less likely to shed fibers; and (b) use the CF brush dry only. It is not designed or intended for wet cleaning.