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Record cleaning and realistic expectations

I recently purchased some Audio Intelligence solution #15 enzymatic pre clean to use on my VPI 16.5 prior to my usual cleaning with Disc Doctor cleaning solution followed by 3 distilled water rinses. I picked a record that came from a collection in a particularly moldy house.The record had faint white splotchy marks all over that I assumed were mold. Pretreated with AI #15 for 5 min per AI’s instructions. After cleaning and drying, the record was cleaner, but the splotches remained. Did I do something wrong? Could the splotches be something else?

A second record had inner runout marks I assumed were from the old plastic inner sleeve, but going thru the same process these as well did not clean up as well...Hmmm?

Would an US RCM like a Degritter do a better job?

Thanks for any assistance on this.

 

 

jim94025
dentdog's avatar
dentdog
506 posts
 

Getting back into stereo in 2014 and found an unopened copy of "Crime" from 1985. yes, it really pops.

ghdprentice's avatar
ghdprentice
9,473 posts
 

There is a limit to cleaning. I find that when you are talking about mold or heavy grim extraordinary effort and exotic cleaners only provide a slight improvement.  

terry9
2,354 posts
 

I used a VPI 16.5 for years. Now I use a lab grade Elmasonic US machine at 80 KHz. The difference? About as much as upgrading a major component. IMO. YMMV.

But it's not magic. Some records need a lot more attention, some never come around. I use a lab detergent, never considered any audiophile products.

roadwhorerecords
337 posts
 

Working around "plastic" molding, for years, what you believe may be mold, could very well be release agents finally leaching from the compounds. 

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

The mold is growing on the record for a reason. It is eating the vinyl. The White splotches remain because the vinyl is now finely pitted and it reflects light differently. If you put a little Clorox bleach in the cleaning solution it will kill all the mold. The bleach will totally evaporate and will not damage the vinyl. You also have to use a new clean inner sleeve and wipe the album cover inside and out with bleach. When I run into a moldy record my solution is the garbage can.  

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