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  Record Cleaners / RCMs
I've been reading with interest in previous posts about how important it is to have a record cleaning machine. I can understand the great importance of cleaning records using the scrub/vaccuum mechanisms of these RCMs if the records are filled with finger prints, or were purchased second hand (and require a deep cleaning) but what about newly purchased vinyl? If one has purchased vinyl new, and has taken extreme care of his records in the past(ie..not touching the playing surface with dirty fingers, lightly cleaning the playing surface with an old discwasher pad, etc) would it be benficial to use an RCM. I've not seen these RCMs up close, but it would appear that the scrubbing and vaccumming of these machines might possibly do more damage than good.

When I purchased my Linn Axis many years ago, I was told by the Linn dealer that one did not need to clean the records (if you didn't smugdge them up with finger prints,etc). He had said the time that cleaning pads such as the discwasher did more damage than good. Armed with that advice, I stopped using the discwashwer as well.

I'm about to bring out my record collection again after storing them the past 15 years. Should I clean them using the discwasher?....or perhaps get an entry level RCM? Or should I continue to do what my Linn dealer told me before and not clean them at all?

I would appreciate your comments.

calgarian
Calgarian5355  (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

11-19-06
  Responses (1-29 of 29)
Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

11-19-06   To tell you the truth i think the cleaning thing is overdone ...   Stefanl

11-19-06   Even brand new records benefit from a good cleaning and will ...   Hdm

11-19-06   Hi, i listen to vinyl exclusively. i have over 4,000 lp's. i ...   Johnjbarlow

11-19-06   I would suggest getting something such as the vpi 16.5, whic ...   Jependleton

11-20-06   Thank you for your responses. interestingly enough, when i ...   Calgarian5355

11-20-06   The kab traps all the fluid. as such, it can be used with a ...   Hdm

11-20-06   I used an old hoover upright motor when i built my diy rcm a ...   Dan_ed

11-20-06   I also clean all new records- i clean every record that come ...   Wberdan

11-20-06   With several records i have purchased used and that, after a ...   Stevecham

11-20-06   Off a slight tangent to this thread; i also recommend cleani ...   Pawlowski6132

11-20-06: Dougdeacon
Another vote for cleaning all records, including new ones. I've ruined new records by playing them without cleaning, so I learned the hard way. The reasons (mold release chemistry) were well explained by others, above.

Also as said above, RCM's are about vacuuming, not about scrubbing. Scrubbing too hard is more dangerous than scrubbing not at all. High quality cleaning solutions like RRL are designed to work with little or no scrubbing. The designer of RRL actually recommends using only carbon fiber brushes like the Audioquest. It's impossible to scrub with that, the bristles are too soft.

I sort of agree with the advice Linn gave you way back when, ASSUMING the only choices were DiscWasher or nothing. The problem with the DiscWasher method is what happens after the solution emulsifies or dissolves the grunge. If this sludge isn't promptly vacuumed away, the liquid evaporates but the grunge is still there, broken down into much finer particles that will cling to groove walls and floor even more stubbornly. You would indeed have been better off doing nothing.

With the advent of vacuum RCM's that scenario need no longer exist. After the solution emulsifies/dissolves the grunge you immediately vacuum it away. Nothing is left behind but cleaner vinyl. This is better than not cleaning and MUCH better than letting grungy solution re-dry on your record.

Dougdeacon  (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)


11-20-06   Doug is correct about scrubbing. not only with rrl but any o ...   Audiofeil

11-20-06   The cost of a highly effective diy rcm is so little today th ...   Jyprez

11-20-06   Ps ignore my stupid spelling effor. surface acting agent. so ...   Audiofeil

11-20-06   If you want to go cheap, i recently purchased the " sp ...   Jrw40

11-22-06   So i've decided i'm going to buy an entry level rcm and get ...   Calgarian5355

11-22-06   The kab with your central vac will give you both better suct ...   Hdm

01-05-07   Update. i had decided to purchase the kab and called them t ...   Calgarian5355

02-02-07   This question to all nitty gritty rcm users. after using th ...   Calgarian5355

02-03-07   Once the velvet lips are moistened, do you still have this p ...   Dopogue

02-03-07   Try it. when you don't hear a diference, then it's ok for yo ...   Thomasheisig

02-03-07   Thomasheisig, buy the good cartridge and clean your records ...   Pawlowski6132

02-03-07   Calgarian: my thoughts are that you just may not have notice ...   Hdm

02-04-07   I do hope people are vacuuming your lp's after hand cleaning ...   Dan_ed

02-04-07   I long ago owned the keith monks record cleaner but sold it ...   Tbg

02-04-07   ...agre with dan_ed. i use a wet/dry vac with a modified att ...   Pawlowski6132

02-04-07   I am trying the ebay groovmaster along with a used record do ...   Psychicanimal

02-04-07   I would suggest that you also look into the disk doctors cle ...   Njaferi

07-30-07   2nd update: i previously had the entry level nitty gritty r ...   Calgarian5355


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