Vinyl cleaning chemicals

[Brian C.]

Since this long-forgotten thread has been resuscitated by Eguth I shall take the opportunity to report what I did in the end.

For the first couple of years I just used a carbon-fibre brush and let the 102 & SPU styli do the rest

Then a year ago I bought a Moth RCM that does the job nicely albeit noisily.
I have all but used-up the 1 litre bottle of cleaning fluid that came with the machine. Since sourcing pure water to make my own is such a pain I am thinking of either buying more Moth fluid or perhaps getting some pre-diluted Art du Son off eBay.

Experiences?

Brian.

[JollyJeweller]

You *used* to be able to get distilled water from Halfords and other car accessory shops, for topping up batteries.
Worth a try?

[sugdenman]

Auto part stores or petrol stations should stock distilled water, thats where I get mine from.

[bauzace50]

Hello,
an inexpensive and reliable one-gallon distiller was available from Sears. Maybe they still have sell it?
bauzace50

[Brian C.]

Thanks chaps.

bauzace50 : I'm in the UK so no Sears here

jollyjeweller & sugdenman : have you been happily using that de-ionised water for a protracted period and been completely satisfied with the results?

Brian.

[lanny]

How strange. Here distilled water is sold in supermarkets, less than a buck per gallon.

[delcam1n0]

Lanny,

Some problem here in Germany: No distilled water,
unless you hunt endlessly...Garages are out: All new
car-batteries are without replenishing stoppers.
So, order at a pharmacy at extortionate cost..?

BTW: Any idea where you 'State-side ladies/gents
use the stuff from WalMart for? Airhumidifiers perhaps?

[bauzace50]

Hello,
it seems that distilled water is easy to get in some places, and very difficult to get in other places!
I have been using a water distiller for the home for many years, with complete satisfaction. Mine was purchased at Sears, but this same model is available under several "badges".
Please go to http://www.steamdistiller.com The model I use is the one in the center photograph, for one gallon process at each occasion.
Maybe it is adaptable to 50 Hz current?
Good luck, bauzace50
-P.S.- This same model is available in different badges. Look also in http://www.waterwise-distillers.com This very model is available in 240 VAC/ 50 Hz. In this place it is called Model 4000.
-P.S.- the benefit of having a distiller is that one can use it for the family's cooking and drinking over and over again. Ice cubes attain a really superior texture.

[LeeS]

For my old VPI cleaning system, I used to pay a visit to my local Maidenhead Aquatic centre (or similar) and ask for a few litres of RO water (Reverse Osmosis). This is not distilled, but undergoes a mechanical and chemical process to remove all impurities leaving just pure H20 (allegedly). Leaving a little on a glass dish to evaporate, you wouldn't have known it was ever there, so I guess that's good. I didn't bother to check the glass with a microscope. I guess that would be the acid test for water. What is left when it all evaporates? It costs me a fiver for a few litres and lasts for ages.

Isopropyl alcohol I used to get from Maplins of all places. You have to ask at the counter and it was branded Servisol and cost about £9 for a litre (probably more now). I used the RO water/IPA at a ratio of 10:1 and then added a few drops of the VPI solution (expensive and there may be better out there, but it lasts for ages). Never had any problems with that lot for the last 4 or 5 years or so.

Hope that helps,

Cheers

[Brian C.]

Thanks Lee.

The table-top distillor sounds attractive bauzace but I'm trying to keep acquisitions to a minimum these days, especially ones that need powering.

Anybody here with expertise re the various type of surfactants - Ionic, Cationic and Non-Ionic?

Brian.

[Brian C.]

I have just learned that I need a non-ionic surfactant

Brian.

[bauzace50]

Fellas,
one learns a lot here! For exampole I learned that I am semi-catatonic after pawrchasing an expensive non-working item a few days agew.
Regawrdes,
b50

[markse]

The water that collects in a condenser tumble driers' reservoir is by nature distilled- but it would probably be best to filter it to remove any clothes fluff first!

Mark

[eguth]

I have taken to using L'Art du Son on my collection after usually having cleaned with Williamson system, Zippo (naptha) and sometimes Discrex. I find L'Art a pain to use, and have taken to timing it at a minimum of 2 1/2 minutes on each side to ensure that it works well. I do not dilute it as much as recommended. I can't imagine why Brian wants to get the'ready made'? I just mix it with 'purified water' from my local chemists and store the made up solution (I make small amounts) in a home made black bag, not even in a fridge.

Since I don't buy 'flea market' style records any longer I don't use Elvanol/Ghosenol (Williamson 'face pack') but it is certainly the best cleaning method I have found for records in that state.

My main pain now apart from L'Art is that my new cartridge (a Zyx) is so outstandingly quiet with regard to surface noise that I often find no difference beteween 'before' and 'after' using L'Art, wheras with the van den Hul (modified by Expert Stylus) the reduction in noise was usually quite evident.