Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records

@lewm 

The company site lists denatured alcohol Denatured alcohol - Wikipedia while the SDS just lists ethanol.  Here is an example of denatured alcohol - Microsoft Word - 6210GHS (chemtel.net) and this a safe solvent, but this is also denatured alcohol \\TAHOE\APPS\MIRS\REPORTS\MSWRPTM.FRX (mscdirect.com) and this is not safe for the record.  But, the detergent is diluted 100:1 so even if 5%, in-use it would only be 0.05% - essentially inconsequential.

Industrial cleaning generally accepts pH 6-8 as 'neutral', and Ecover diluted 100:1 should be right in that zone, the ingredients do not include any pH stabilizing (buffering) products like phosphates and silicates.  However, the record is pretty immune to alkaline cleaners up to about pH 12.  The problem with the high alkaline cleaners is they can be a bear to rinse and residue will dry to 'rocks'.

@lewm, denatured ethanol has something like 5% methanol to make it POISONOUS so it can not be consumed, thus it is de-natured.  It is a great polar solvent and could be used for cleaning records in that it will not damage the record but it might damage the label. It is the primary solvent for Shellac and doing a French Polish requires expertise in the use of denatured alcohol. This results in a spectacular finish but given the man-hours involved is rarely done any more.

Ok. Use it.

@pindac That's a great suggestion about the pressurised bottle for the final DW rinse. I will get one.

great contribution @antinn and @whart aka Bill Hart.

FWIW, on used vinyl i very typically use an enzyme cleaner, i like the Walker ( RIP ) but there are others, then Turgitol in the Degritter for n cycles, then a Degritter cycle w just water ( order a 2nd tank ).

Carry on…