Recorded Cleaning Machnies

@whart, @antinn

Thank you! 

I should have added:

I mostly buy very old, very used records. I wont use two machines, two processes. Not because I don’t believe in it, I just know I would not have the energy, I would a put a record after I bought it in the machine and then I would have little reason to do it again as I do my best to keep them away from dirt. I also don’t have the budget and space for two items (barely for one). I want to buy the one that does most of the job. Sounds like the vacuum based would be it. The ultrasonic does the final, smaller portion. Maybe I am very wrong in understanding it. 

So Pro-ject or HummingGuru?

@gano- one of the nice things about Neil's book is that in the course of explaining what is going on in the process of cleaning a record, he offers methods to do this without using a machine. It will require you to buy some chemicals and inexpensive apparatus but it is a thorough explanation, and you can, if you take the time to digest it, explore and determine the best approach for you. I'm a big believer in a rinse step, due to the residue issues discussed above. 

thanks @whart !

I am not very handy which is why I thought a vacuum cleaner may do a better job than I would. The less I touch something the better.

@gano, 

I want to buy the one that does most of the job. Sounds like the vacuum based would be it.

For old, used records yes.  However, you still need to perform multiple steps:

Step 1:  pre-clean with a detergent solution; I recommend 0.5% Alconox Liquinox (Amazon.com: Alconox - 1232-1 1232 Liquinox Anionic Critical Cleaning Liquid Detergent, 1 quart Bottle : Industrial & Scientific).

Step 2: rinse with distilled/demineralized water (DIW).

Step 3: final clean with a nonionic surfactant solution, I recommend 0.05% Tergitol 15-S-9 (Tergitol 15-S-3 and 15-S-9 Surfactant | TALAS).  The final clean makes sure this is no residue left from the pre-clean step.

Step 4:  final rinse with DIW

Step 5:  dry

I always recommend this brush -Amazon.com: Record Doctor Clean Sweep LP Vinyl Cleaning Brush : Electronics.  

Couple of things to remember:

• With vacuum RCM, you perform the cleaning, the chemistry, the brush and your technique are what cleans the record.
• The strength of the vacuum provided by the machine determines how much of the detritus released by your cleaning technique get removed.  The stronger the vacuum the more that is removed/sucked from the surface.  But some solution is always evaporated/dried in place.  The strongest vacuums appear to leave about 10% behind while the weaker vacuums appear to leave as much as 30%.  So, the 'quality' of the vacuum RCM can matter.

This vacuum RCM may be current best value - Music Hall WCS-5 Vacuum Record Cleaning Machine.  It has a forward and reverse rotation and a vacuum adjustment, is of decent construction and is made in the USA.  Music Hall is closing it out and you may be able to still get a good price Music Hall WCS-5 Record Cleaning Machine – Upscale Audio , Music Hall - WCS-5 - Record Cleaning Machine; otherwise Music Hall WCS-5 Vacuum Record Cleaning Machine – Audio Advice.  

Good Luck,

thanks so much @antinn ! I am checking it out. I am also interested in used, may work just as well.