xxmartinxx Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 What kind of cleaning you do greatly depends on what state the record is in. If you by boatloads of Goodwill grade used records, you need to invest in a wet cleaner. For routine maintenance of new and well cared for records, a dry cleaner is probably sufficient. The problem with them, however, it most of the create a fair amount of static. I'm actually a fan of Gruv Glide. A DJ friend of mine turned me on to it years ago and I was pretty skeptical. It does remove a lot of crap from even new records, kills static, and noticeably lowers the noise floor. The crap seems to last forever. For what it's worth, I've tried Elmer's wood glue and OxiClean on some pretty noisy records in the past and found they didn't do much, but YMMV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted May 28, 2013 Share Posted May 28, 2013 Oxyclean?! That's a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxmartinxx Posted May 29, 2013 Share Posted May 29, 2013 Someone mentioned it at some point in the thread. I tried it years ago. It was all the rage for a minute at AudioKarma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Youinreverse Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 What's the best way to revitalize old album covers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajxd Posted June 6, 2013 Share Posted June 6, 2013 Cleansing with fire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Quik Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Is using a special type of brush not advisable to clean dirt of records? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamover Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 what's a special type of brush? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Quik Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 what's a special type of brush? not all brush fibers are the same Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circuit bored records Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 Generally you would want a type of wet-cleaning solution if you're trying to get "dirt" off of records. Even the most special of brushes will still just push the dirt further into the grooves, and damage the record more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ Quik Posted June 10, 2013 Share Posted June 10, 2013 what's the brush to use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrocks Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 so ive been using a spin clean as directed. im finding that even brand new records have a lot of surface noice (clicks and pops etc), playing on a Debut Carbon with stock ortofon red that i clean before playing. am i making my records dirtier with the spin clean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtcohenour Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 so ive been using a spin clean as directed. im finding that even brand new records have a lot of surface noice (clicks and pops etc), playing on a Debut Carbon with stock ortofon red that i clean before playing. am i making my records dirtier with the spin clean? I really want to pick up one of these systems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdtg Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 From what I've read it seems like using a brush in addition to the spin clean is the way to go. I don't have any experience with one, but I'd like to try one out. I'm curious if anyone using a spin clean has anything to say about liquid getting on the labels or is that not something to worry about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthemforadoomed Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Yeah I'm curious about that too. It seems so nonsensical, putting liquid within 20 feet of the label. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrocks Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 usually no fluid gets on the label occasionally a few drops but the way the spin clean works it really just stops at the deadwax and it doesnt really run so it works pretty well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Honestly, the best thing you can do is give up on wanting your records to play pop/click-free. Short of using a proper cleaning machine like the VPI 16.5 or the Clearaudio Matrix, you're never going to get a no-noise record. Even with those, it's still far from guaranteed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayatex Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 So is there no way to clean things by hand? I have mostly new records and a few oldies, so I don't feel the need for a very complex cleaning system. I was hoping to find a couple links to cleaning solution, rags, and brush or two. Is this possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtcohenour Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 So is there no way to clean things by hand? I have mostly new records and a few oldies, so I don't feel the need for a very complex cleaning system. I was hoping to find a couple links to cleaning solution, rags, and brush or two. Is this possible? There are a few videos on YouTube for hand cleaning. I can't attest to how safe this method is. I have done it myself a few times for cheap LP's I have picked up at the thrift store with no issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrocks Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 theres no reason a cleaning solution and a brush shouldnt be enough. im terribly OCD and so if I do something to one or more records in my collection then i need to do it to all of them...e.g. sleeving 1000 records all at once and cleaning them prior Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayatex Posted September 23, 2013 Share Posted September 23, 2013 There are a few videos on YouTube for hand cleaning. I can't attest to how safe this method is. I have done it myself a few times for cheap LP's I have picked up at the thrift store with no issue. theres no reason a cleaning solution and a brush shouldnt be enough. im terribly OCD and so if I do something to one or more records in my collection then i need to do it to all of them...e.g. sleeving 1000 records all at once and cleaning them prior Thanks! This is what I was looking for! any advice on a specific solution? other then the ones on the 'tube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForSunday Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Brushes just make the record look nice and clean without really removing surface noise, you need something that will pull dirt out of the grooves. That is why people swear by cleaning machines and wood glue. These are the only methods I've ever used that properly remove pops and clicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I recently got an email from protected.de (they sell record supplies) about a "cleaning gel" that basically does what the wood glue does, but it's easier to peel off: http://protected.de/de/Vinyl-Cleaning-Gel-250-ml1201 Maybe there's something similar in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 I recently got an email from protected.de (they sell record supplies) about a "cleaning gel" that basically does what the wood glue does, but it's easier to peel off: http://protected.de/de/Vinyl-Cleaning-Gel-250-ml1201 Maybe there's something similar in the US. Yes it's called PVA wood glue but not all glues are the same, there are some great threads on the net about it. This stuff is very good as it removes the two usual problems found with the wood glue method i.e. that it usually comes of in one sheet and much lower static but is obviosly much more expensive. I use the wood glue method on very dirty records. I haven't had a problem yet and it will only remove dirt not fix a scratch but for records that are just plain dirty it's very effective. I understand the BBC pioneered the wood glue method for the archiving of records. I haven't used it on any records with any real value yet but there is no real reason I can see not to. If you are contemplating it read up on it and watch all the you tube videos as it can get very messy if you just have a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrocks Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 im going to have to get a VPI. my spinclean actually makes the records sound worse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dethrock Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 im going to have to get a VPI. my spinclean actually makes the records sound worse Has it always done that? After being put through a spin clean my records sound noticeably better and the static is removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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