record cleaning

[Piotr]

"Posted by: admin Posted on: 07. Jun 2002 at 18:37 I'm building one of my own at the moment so if my new digital camera ever shows up I might write up my experiences" Where are those pictures?  ;D

[JaS]

Where are those pictures? Mumble grumble.... :-/ If I ever get this site to behave itself I might get a chance to assemble it. The parts have been on a bench in my workshop for a very, very long time - Don't hold your breath. Busy Bee JaS

[JaS]

Well, just as Piotr got me thinking about my workshop project again this link popped up on Vinyl Asylum: Zenn Record Cleaning Machine Maybe I should junk the industrial vacuum and weld a spindle onto an old M/C starter motor I've got in the garage? Now if I could take a look in the grooves with a microscope to see whether the idea actually works I could knock myself up a domesticated version in no time at all! Deep in thought  :P JaS

[Henk Onder de Linden]

Interesting discussion. I've built a VPI-alike RCM. Although it gives good results, I'm still puzzling around for a effective bristle for scrubbing and the claening mixture. The brisle I'm using now is the VPI. It's a nylon type and in my opinion the hair of the bristle are to thick for penetrating into the grooves. That's why I'm looking around for a better type. Any suggestions for a bristle and for the mixture? If anybody can read Dutch I'm willing to donate the building plan and description of the home made RCM. regards, Henk

[Sid_and_Coke]

I have been using a Fully Manual Nitty Gritty clone made by KAB in the USA. I think it does a great job and isn't too much hassle even though it is manual. Lets face it you don't clean records every day. I usually have a mammoth session and do about 20 then play them to death before moving on to the next batch. This machine is good VFM if you live in the US, it works out slightly more expensive if you have to import it especially to the UK , our customs and post office peole are very greedy when it comes to fee's. Here's a couple of links : http://www.tnt-audio.com/accessories/kabev1_e.html http://www.kabusa.com/INDEX_RC.HTM

[wolfman]

Hi Henk under der linden - what you need to get is the Disc Doctor cleaning system . In addition to the exellent cleaning fluid there is a felt pad scrub brush that works really well. First a dust cleaning with a carbon brush then if need be a really serious scrub with the DD felt brush impregnated with the DD fluid. After a vacum with the "dirty" VPI wand, distilled water and a scrub with the VPI brush in both directions and then the final vacum with the clean VPI wand. This is not as tedious as it sounds and one has the option of scrubbing as much or little as needs be. Takes me about 3-5 minuites per disc. And oh ya, don't forget a removable pad (cork ?) under the record that is removed for the clean side otherwise you track dirt back on and then of course a fresh sleeve. Happy listening - Wolfman

[onder013]

Hi Wolfman, I ordered some cleaning gear in the US. As soon as I know what they bring I'll inform you and the forum. Thanks fot the hint. Regards, Henk

[olrik]

What are the thoughts on the "spinning" kind of record cleaners? They come under lots of brand names, so this one is just an example: http://www.garage-a-records.com/spin.html Are these good at getting the record grooves clean? One can still use a vacuum after getting the record wet in this "machine" and I guess you just put in the cleaning fluid of your choice.

[willbewill]

Not convinced by the Zenn machine - which way does it rotate, I clean my records by rotating both ways - surely dirt will be deposited in outer grooves as liquid evaporates, or does one carry on irrigating the record for quite a while - will the dirt act as an abrasive because the record is rotating at high speed? I suppose the only way I'll find out for sure is either to build or buy one. I wonder what cleaning fluid is used.

[Piotr]

Here is the link to the Zenn Audio  machine: http://www.zenn.com.sg/zenn_record_cleaning_machine.htm

[woodyg3]

A "recipe" for cleaning solution which came from a local used record dealer: 1 part Kodak "Photo-Flow" solution to 10 parts water. (Photo-Flow is available at photography stores in the darkroom section. It is used to help prevent drying marks on film after it has been developed.) I have tried this solution on a few records and it really seems to do the job well. It is very inexpensive! - Woody

[onder013]

Interesting discussion. I've built a VPI-alike RCM. Although it gives good results, I'm still puzzling around for a effective bristle for scrubbing and the claening mixture. The brisle I'm using now is the VPI. It's a nylon type and in my opinion the hair of the bristle are to thick for penetrating into the grooves. That's why I'm looking around for a better type. Any suggestions for a bristle and for the mixture? If anybody can read Dutch I'm willing to donate the building plan and description of the home made RCM. regards, Henk

On the following site http://www.members.lycos.nl/platenwassen/ is a lot of information on building your own RCM based on the original plan. It is in the dutch language, but I think the photos will tell the story.

Regards,

Henk