Anyone else ever experiment with wet playback?

Adavantages are vastly reduced friction (ever seen how cooling fluid is used during metal machining?). Also the noise floor is extremely low, as particulate matter becomes suspended and not part of the record's surface. Disadvantages are potential cartridge damage as previously mentioned, and the general hassle of it all. The sound quality during the wet-play event is worth it however.

My sympathies, Jkalman (I am happily divorced). It's OK though... she is a casino General Manager and I get half her $$$$. What pull Crem1? There is undoubtedly LESS friction with liquid immersion. Am I missing something? FYI I was the Quality Mgr. at RTI many moons ago. I would not expose a modulated vinyl groove to steam twice (they are steam heated during compression molding in the first place).

I have had good results w/de-ionized water. Bear in mind the LP has a natural "trough" - the recessed playing area originally designed to prevent scratching from stacking LPs on a changer. This holds the liquid nicely. You may experience a bit of trouble at 45rpm, however, from centrifugal force. I simply drag a clean hand towel across the surface as the turntable runs for clean-up. Let air dry do the rest. Bobburda, please bear in mind this will change your life one way or the other. Wet play is like an addiction. It is guarranteed you will hear a vast improvement. Remember also that you are using water in close proximity to electricity and act accordindly!!

A better wetting agent is Photoflo; it is non-detergent. As used in photographic developing. Talk about cetrifugal force... 78rpm????

And alas, that gunk accumulation is the reason you cannot play a previously wet-played LP dry again. Back in the days when I could take home as many Sheffield Direct Discs, MFSL's, Wilson Audio LP's etc. as I pleased hot off the press, I would earmark one of each for wet play. I realize most people involved in this hobby never had that luxury! Indeed I do count my blessings.... Cheers and Happy New Year to you