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Record cleaning Q's - brushes and fluid

Hi all. I just picked up a VPI 16.5 here on Agon (thanks Lptube) and I've started cleaning 5 years worth of collected vinyl. Hoping to pick up a couple tips from the community here.

What kind of brushes are you using? I have the nylon bristle brush that came with the vpi and I'm not crazy about it. Doesn't do a great job of spreading the fluid and the handle is a hard chunk of smooth plastic. Difficult to hold and seems like it's dangerous to the lp if dropped, which I have done several times. I also have a mfsl brush, which has a nice microfiber velvet pile. Spreads the fluid really well and the handle is a nice soft rubber too. Problem is the brush is like 2" wide and all that fiber soaks up a lot of (expensive) fluid. Does anyone know of a brush type with the microfiber/velvet pile that's not quite as big? Before I spend a 100 bucks buying different brushes figured I'd look for some advice.

This brings me to the next question - how much fluid do you use? I'm using the audio intelligent 3-step (rinsing with whole foods filtered water though, not the AI stuff). I find it takes a lot more than the 1/10th of an ounce AI recommends to really saturate one side of an LP. Since none of my vinyl has ever been wet or vacuum cleaned, I'm using the enzyme cleaner to soak it for a while in step one. It seems to take as much as 1/3 of an ounce to really get the LP wet and keep it that way for a 10 minute soaking session without "dry spots" opening up. Am I using too much fluid? How wet does one need to get the LP to ensure a really good cleaning?

Thanks for any responses.
Jon.
zargoz

Showing 1 response by markd51

markd51
761 posts
 
Hello Zaegoz,
Like you, (And Doug Deacon) I use the AIVS products, but use the full blown four step process, with the Ultra Pure Water Rinse at the very end.

For now, I also use the Mo Fi Brush Pads for each step.
I agree, the Pads, since they are are largish, do require a bit extra fluid to initially prime them, but after that, I'm probably using less than a Thimble full per each side of LP.

A trick I found with these Brush Pads, is after you apply the fluids to LP, slightly tilt the Brush Pad at a 15-20 degree angle touching the LP's surface to evenly spread the Liquid. I was noting the same thing as you, that I was leaving dry spots, and not getting even coverage.

I know Doug likes the Carbon Fiber Brushes for certain steps, and I'll have to give these a try myself in the future.

As for a soak, I do about a 2-3 minute on average soak with the Enzymatic, and Super Cleaner Formulas, then for the Archivist Formula, and Pure Water Rinse, I use a little less time, usually about 3-5 revolutions with the Pad, perhaps taking 25-30 seconds. I figure the last two steps are actually rinse steps, to remove any traces of cleaners-residue-nasties that the Vacuum hasn't picked up previously. Mark
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