Ultrasonic record cleaners

Most of the art/science of record cleaning is in method and good practices. It doesn't hurt to have robust equipment that you like, but a lot of very effective cleaning can be done manually, at low cost.

I've been poking around at this subject since around 2012 or so and have done some field trips, including to the Library of Congress, gotten with people that knew much more about archival preservation and/or restoration or in one instance, developed Mil-Spec methods for cleaning the 02 systems on naval submarines. (That's Neil Antin, whose name some of you may know). 

I had a VPI (an ancient one that started life as a 16 and was modified to a 16.5) which did a fine job, especially once I figured out the simplest of steps- a good fluid (I used to use Walker but switched to AIVS #15 years ago), a rinse step using some level of purified water (you don't want the minerals) and separate wands and applicators for both steps.

I eventually got an Audio Desk and was delighted with the ease of using it. No more slaving over a noisy vacuum machine. Thing was, the AD could not clean certain records effectively. Granted, most of you would say, just replace the record, but these were fairly obscure Vertigo Swirls that commanded money and were not easily replaced. 

So I did the opposite of what @Lewm asked about-- where ultrasonic didn't do the job, I resorted to manual cleaning on the VPI. And after several passes, including more US, was able to get some, not all of these "problem" records to a high state of play. 

Cleaning will obviously not salvage damaged records, including those suffering from "groove chew" (records that got played on old, misaligned equipment). I started to use the combination of manual cleaning and ultrasonic for these problem records-- 10/1 I'm buying old pressings so the ability to clean (and to flatten, where necessary) is important to me. 

I did up my game on equipment- I use a big Monks Omni (the old style with the thread) and a KL that I bought some years ago and is still chugging. But it is still down to method. 

Here's a cookie for gear porn: 

If you want to start at the very beginning, in terms of chemistry, materials science and how to get records clean using industrial chemistry, Neil's work is invaluable. (I published it but he's gotten tons of feedback from users-- the most current edition is the 3d. It is not a light read but it is extremely well organized and is encyclopedic in scope). You'll find it under the title Precision Aqueous Cleaning of Vinyl Records-3rd Edition. (I don't make any money from this, nor does Neil). 

If I had to choose one machine-- it would probably be the Monks. It is a better all-arounder for my purposes. For those of you who have only pristine records that have been well cared for, you may be able to get away with US cleaning only, with only the very limited need to engage in manual cleaning. 

I'm not a scientist and claim no guru status. I do value quiet record playback and seek out hard to find records that interest me. My conclusions are based mostly on my experience, combined with input from some of the much more knowledgeable people I've talked to about the subject over the years. 

Good luck, have fun. 

 If you are careful, and use the methods listed that Neil has outlined, i believe that you can be successful with the process. 

 Since you have a limited number of albums, also consider sending them off to 'Perfect Vinyl Forever' as I did a year ago. The service is as good as it gets and the value is most worth it. I wasn't so much trying to increase the quality of playback as I was the longevity of the vinyl. What I did find is that a couple of older albums were reduced in surface noise, an appreciated outcome.

I use the Neil Antin Manual Cleaning Method, combined with a few tweaks offered up by individuals that are using the same methodology. It suits me just fine for a few reasons.

I like the personal input to showing a care for Vinyl that has been owned for 40ish years and less.

It represents a method used on past manual cleaning attempts, but the new method is offering an end product that is unrecognisable to older used methods.

I now have a method in place that enables six LP's to be cleaned in not much more than a 30-minute session.

I don't refer to Cleaned LPs as the end product, I refer to them as Purified LPs, resulting from the impression made during a replay.

The solutions that Neil advises on to be produced, are in my mind able to dissolve deep in the groove and lift out residual / particle that has once been in contact with a styli. 

I have a USM that can mount Six LP's, it remains boxed and unused, even though I did consider for a Brief Period to use it as a device for a rinse cycle during the manual cleaning methodology, the end result of the manual cleaning does make this seem unnecessary.

The Solutions that Neil suggests being mixed, might help produce a much-improved outcome on your RCM available for use. The Manual Clean Method can also be carried out as a Comparison.

Neils has a solution mixture also for a USM, so if this method is selected, very useful Tank Fill Solution will already be at hand.    

PACVR-3rd-Edition

I bought a VPI cleaner from a friend who was done cleaning his modest collection and used it for a couple of years, but found while this type of machine gets rid of the worst of the offending grit, falls short of getting at the stubborn stuff.

I decided to go the ultrasonic route, but they were out of my price range.  Then I happened upon the CleanerVinyl Easy3 Audiophile Kit.  I got the 6 liter cavitation tank they offer from Allendale Group of England.  I have been totally pleased with the results after having cleaned about 70+ records.  I use a couple of drops of Photoflo as a wetting agent. 

Replaced a Ultrasonic cleaner I used in combination with a Project VCM with a Degritter.  I clean all records, new included. Then place in MoFi anti static sleeves. The Degritter is definitely a better system. Totally satisfied with the Degritter. 

Recently purchased a Furutech Destat III. The Destat has helped eliminate any remaining noise caused by static and dust. Using the Destat allows the brush to remove any remaining particles from the surface of the record that static would tend to hold on to. I rarely here any type noise when playing records since adding the mentioned devices.