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Brush/scrubbing ideas for VPI 16.5 record cleaner.

After missing several 16.5's on eBay and here, I broke down a bought one new. What's it like? In a word: excellent. I am really amazed how some albums really come to life after a good cleaning. Not only is the fizz and pop gone, but you move a couple of rows closer to the performance.

What I have noticed is that the supplied VPI brush needs to be used lightly. A heavy hand will leave faint scratches seen on the clear inside groove area. I can only assume this is not a good idea and these scratches affect the complete album. I do use copious amounts of cleaning fluid, so I assume the problem is with the brush and/or my technique.

Do you have any suggestions on scrubbing or cleaning generally dirty (i.e. thrift shop) albums. Do you let them soak? If so, how long? Do you worry about the alcohol content on long soakings?

Are you a scrubber? My tendency is lean in and use some elbow grease on a dirty album, but after seeing the tiny scratches, I need to rethink this technique. Any suggestions on a "kinder, gentler" brush; the cheaper the better.

Thanks,
rrick

Showing 1 response by paul_frumkin

paul_frumkin
130 posts
 
For $25 or less, give this a shot. Find and buy the absolute finest nylon bristle paint brush you can find (3.5" width, if possible; if not, then either 3" or 4" width). Try to find a brush with the smallest, finest bristles you can. Then, with a good razor, give the brush a "crew cut." Slice the bristles so they are about 1" long in the front, and angle cut it so the bristles are about 1.5" long in the back.

Wet the brush with your cleaning fluid even if you've flooded the LP with cleaning fluid first. Apply the brush with the short bristles leading ... the longer bristles trailing behind. What's called a "radiator" brush works well from an ergonomic perspective: instead of being straight, it's angled ... approx. 130 degrees between handle and brush.

I've found this to be effective yet gentle, and it gets deeper into the grooves than any other record brush I've used. (BTW, if you're interested, and if you reply with your email, I'll send you photos of my patent-pending homemade machine ... which I swear blows away any VPI or NG in its suction and cleaning power: 1 full hp vacuum motor).

Best regards,
Paul
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