The formula's I've seen for DIY record cleaning fluids (based upon the ingredients of the more expensive prepared formulas) are fairly innocuous. Usually something like 75% distilled water, 25% Isopropyl Alchohol (non-lanolin), and a few drops of Photo-Flo (a "soapy" wetting agent designed for photographic processing to prevent spotting on films, which I believe is just more alchohol[propylene glycol]) per gallon. I can't imagine how any of these ingridients might build-up or cause damage to vinyl, but I'm no scientist either. Certainly the water and alchohol would evaporate. Photoflo can leave a residue if in too high a concentration, but with only a few drops to a gallon I doubt that would happen. I'm pretty sure most of the cleaning fluids are simply distilled water and alchohol with some form of wetting agent added in very small concentration. Someone correct me here if I'm off base.
Record Cleaner Side Effects?
My vinyl collection is expanding and I am feed up with borrowing a friend's top of the line VPI ( before he can part with this holy grail of cleaning machines for the weekend I gotta kiss his _$$ , do a ceremonial bow down combined with backwards walking from the moment I leave his front door untill I can reach my car meanwhile he and his girlfriend smile at my display of graciousness. All this is happening fast enought so that the neihbors don't see the embarrassing display). Not really, but sometimes it feels like that when borrowing something expensive from someone else. Now to the point: Recently I came across an old issue of The Absolute Sound magazine and read an article in which the author was stating that record cleaning machines and their chemicals do more HARM than GOOD. The author did not state reasons/proof to validate his claim and instead he refered back to an earlier issue that covered his argument (and I don't happen to own this issue). I've always believed that record cleaning machines provide the best method for removing contaminants...we are after all taking the grime off the grooves aren't we? Any vinyl addicts here aware of reasons not to clean records using this method? Anybody hear about issues with the solvents more than the machine (new vs. old formulas, certain brands, chemical residues left behind on groves)? I am no expert on this subject and would like to get more input from someone more knowledgeable on this subject. I just know there are several vinyl gurus reading this that can shed some light. Also any recommendations on sub $500 machines (low end VPI, mid-upper end Nitty Gritty)? All info highly appreciated.