Record Cleaning Machines
@bigtwin, +1 Amen. My thoughts completely. Once cleaned, the only thing that belongs in the groove is the stylus. If you are curious I expanded upon this thought here - https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/timas-diy-rcm.26013/post-740686. |
But, but, but, but...blowing or gently exhaling on a record before play? Wouldn't it be better to use one of those small personal fans, instead? I would think a person exhaling, even gently so, on a record would have the propensity for depositing, sooner or later, fine atomized droplets of saliva, vapor, CO2, O2, Nitrogen and whatever else comes out of one's lungs... no? I understand and respect the zeal to achieve and maintain pristine grooves but blowing on a records seems counterproductive. |
Right. Do not even so much as breathe near your precious vinyl. This will raise humidity levels unconscionably high, possibly even getting moisture on the vinyl, necessitating another year of slow gradual careful drying. For this reason records must be stored in a cabinet outside the listening room where no people ever enter. There should be a small slot in the wall close to the turntable through which only the selected record is removed WHILE SLOWLY INHALING so as not to risk contaminating with your breath. The thought of anything less, no I cannot even go there. https://youtu.be/VKcAYMb5uk4?t=8 |
@oldaudiophile, I use the Orbit HEPA Blower https://photosol.com/products/orbit-hepa-blower/, which has a suction-side HEPA filter and a silicone air-bulb, to blow lint off the stylus. Not enough air flow to remove dust/lint from the record. However, some people use the Amazon.com : Giottos AA1900 Rocket Air Blaster Large - Black : Camera Cleaning Kits : Electronics to remove dust - its moves more air. Otherwise, as I wrote in the book "VI.11.c" I use the Kinetronics™ Tiger anti-static lint-free microfiber cloth Anti-Static Tiger Cloth | kinetronics as a swipe (just lightly touching the record surface) to essentially brush/dust the record to remove surface lint and particulate without penetrating the groove. Also, the orange color of the cloth allows easy observation of any fibers that may be deposited from the cloth. The Kinetronics™ Tiger Cloth can pickup dust/lint but being anti-static it does not tightly hold the dust/lint - so a quick shake (arm reach away from the record) and the dust/particulate is dislodged from the cloth (as verified with UV light). This keeps the cloth clean for next use. |
@miillercarbon, too funny! Loved the video clip! If no one ever enters the vinyl inner sanctum, how do the records get there? Automation? Level 4 Lab protocols? Then again, the slot in the wall would violate those protocols. Perhaps retro-fitting an old jukebox for the wall transfer would be an acceptable trade-off. Gotta watch The Andromeda Strain again! @antinn, that Orbit is a neat little device. No pun intended! The Tiger Cloths are interesting, as well. I've been using another brand in my cleaning process but only to absorb most of the fluid after cleaning, without wiping. After that, I just prop the records up for complete air-drying. That Clean Room sponge was/is intriguing, as well. |
