I use a Spin Clean with Tergikleen (Amazon) about 20 to 25 drops per gallon of distilled water. I rinse over the sink using a pump up plastic pressure sprayer (inexpensive, Mac Master Carr, Amazon...) again, distilled water. I use a Record Doctor machine to dry and vacuum. Then the records air dry in a bamboo dish rack for at least 15 minutes. I also purchased label protectors from Amazon, I like the long handle version. I use a soft stylus brush to give the stylus a single swipe, back to front for every play. I also use a carbon fiber anti static brush on the vinyl, usually three revolutions, don't press hard, let the fibers do their thing, and I draw the brush off of the record edge as I finish. I do not use cleaning formulae on the vinyl or the stylus, I think the possibility of residue is too great. Tergikleen is like Kodak Foto Flow, a wetting and flow aid, non detergent. When dry the records go into an anti static inner sleeve, and I use a record album outer sleeve. I personally store my records out side of the cardboard sleeve, inside the album's outer sleeve, which is simply my preference. I tend to use three revolutions in both directions with the Spin Clean, and what ever it takes on the Record Doctor to remove most of the water. You will, no doubt, experiment with your technique. I have found this record cleaning method effective and economical. But, I would still like an ultrasonic some day.
Vinyl Care
I just got a new turntable and cartridge after not having one for years.
I need a recommendation for a relatively inexpensive record cleaner.
I really never took proper care of my records,and would like some basic advice on how to keep them clean on a regular basis.
I also need some guidance on care and cleaning of my cartridge and stylus.My currant cartridge is a Rega exact.
Please know that I don't have a big collection of valuable records,just a bunch of old rock recordings amassed over the past 50 years.
I have started buying some new records,but only select prized albums that I have lost or have been worn out.
Thanks.
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Actually, both are nonionic surfactants which at low concentration reduce the surface tension of water ergo wetting. But at higher concentrations, nonionic surfactants act as emulsifying agents (breakup oil); ergo a form of detergency. Tergikleen at the manufacturers recommended concentration will acts as both a wetting agent and as a detergent (oil emulsification). But these are nothing like Dawn which is very different and is most people's perspective of a detergent. | ||||||||||||||
An excellent alternative to a Zerostat is a Ronxs lighter. While lit just wave above the record, usually about 12 inches. It works by creating an ozone layer above the LP which eliminates static. The ozone layer will not damage the vinyl. Learned about this from Neil Antin, btw. @billstevenson "wallowing in delusions caused by sniffing the fumes of his misbegotten alchemy" is the quote of the year, IMO! | ||||||||||||||
You must still be a few years short of getting a degree in materials science! Carbon has four valence electrons and exists as several allotropes with enormously varying characteristics. Even in this modern world of false facts, I still find Wikipedia to be reliable, see Carbon - Wikipedia Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth, while another allotrope, graphite, is one of the softest. What makes diamond so hard is that all its electrons are fully occupied forming covalent bonds. There are no free electrons, making diamond an excellent electrical insulator. Perversely, it is the best thermal conductor. From Wikipedia: The system of carbon allotropes spans a range of extremes:
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- 98 posts total