help - Need to clean the sticky build up on stylus

[Vinai1964]

I got a RS-9Ruby Stylus for Grace F9 from an auction. I noticed it was dirty - but I paid for it anyway. However, after some cleaning efforts - even with Audtio Technica AT 607 solution, the build up just won't go away.

Before

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After 1st attempt

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After 10th cleaning

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So, seems like it is very sticky stuff. Is there an effective way that I can clean this off?

PS. I want to beat the !@#$ out of the previous owner for neglecting & damaging such a precious stylus.

[Vinai1964]

It is a ruby stylus alright. But somehow it does not have the word "RUBY" in front. Weird.

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[cafe latte]

Isopropopyl alcohol and a stylus brush.
Chris

[Vinai1964]

Thank you, Chris. Will try that.

[Landolaman1]

Isopropopyl alcohol and a stylus brush.
Chris

Works just fine. Patience and a gentle approach worked for me on a seriously "Gunked up" DL-110. The difference in sound quality was dramatic.
Regards,Neil.

[georgesgiralt]

Hello,
A Magic eraser (bought new, do not take the one the missus is using ...).
At first I was skeptical so I tested it on worn out stylus lying around and it was magical !
Be gentle !

[Vinai1964]

Isopropopyl alcohol and a stylus brush.
Chris

Works just fine. Patience and a gentle approach worked for me on a seriously "Gunked up" DL-110. The difference in sound quality was dramatic.
Regards,Neil.

I tried with limited success. I was able to remove most of the gunk around the stylus tip - just at the stylus shank base that I still could not remove. I guess I have to be more patient.

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Then, there is a question whether the area around the damper is also full of gunk - I hear some raspy voice at high frequency. Guess I have to look at the damper under microscope.

[Vinai1964]

Raspy voice at high frequency is gone! I just changed headshell to Ortofon SH-4 and crimp the terminal so I would fit snugly to the pins. This is temporarily until I find something better suited for Grace F9.

[AudioFeline]

I tried with limited success. I was able to remove most of the gunk around the stylus tip - just at the stylus shank base that I still could not remove. I guess I have to be more patient.
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Then, there is a question whether the area around the damper is also full of gunk - I hear some raspy voice at high frequency. Guess I have to look at the damper under microscope.

Limited success? Compare your last pic to your first - a dramatic improvement. You might still be able to do more, but don't discount what you have achieved.

[]eep]

That's what you call from rags to riches!

I use very fine almost worn sandpaper I use for polishing. 1000 grit or so. Very good at removing oxidation and gunk. It won't hurt the diamond.
A d what I've seen an old stylus guru use is, iirc, kneadable (pencil) eraser mixed with polishing paste.

[cafe latte]

That's what you call from rags to riches!

I use very fine almost worn sandpaper I use for polishing. 1000 grit or so. Very good at removing oxidation and gunk. It won't hurt the diamond.
A d what I've seen an old stylus guru use is, iirc, kneadable (pencil) eraser mixed with polishing paste.

Plastic ie vinyl hurts diamond. Diamond is the harder of thrvtwo but nothing is immune to friction.

[Solist]

I would not use 1000 grit, or any sandpaper at all. From the pictures I have seen, a worn stylus is not far away from a new one, considering how much material is missing.

Congrats on the cleaning process, really nicely done :D

[62vauxhall]

My imagination wanders sometimes and I envision what type of material there might be inside a record groove that can cake itself so tenaciously onto a stylus.

Beer and soda pop are what first come to my mind.

If a contaminant is so steadfastly adhered to the diamond tip, it seems logical to me that it needs to be softened or dissolved with some type of solvent.

It can likely take more than one application but the aforementioned IPA should work fine.

But an appropriate brush is in order.

Years ago, I wound up with a small bottle of stylus cleaning fluid, so ancient even then that the brand name was faded from the label. Don't know what the ingredients are but there are aromatics of some kind.

But my point would be the applicator brush affixed to the cap. It looks to be very similar to those used to apply lady's nail polish.

[Solist]

This week I bought a couple of used records, some of those seemed like they were used to sniff cocaine, no kidding.

[JoeE SP9]

Just don't sniff your stylus after playing them. :mrgreen: