I tried record cleaning solution. Soaking it for few minutes then went to town with painters corner trimming thingy. No bueno. It’s reduced significantly but still there. I ordered a replacement from Elusive Disc which they promptly sent but the 1st LP where this thing is is actually noisier on the replacement record. It doesn’t have that speck though. I will try to get it off but might just leave it. It’s not on my favorite somg in the album.
Some thoughts on record cleaning machines and alternatives
As many of you know I have some experience using record cleaning machines. This is not, repeat NOT, a discussion about what might be the best record cleaning machine. Frankly I neither know nor care. What this is about is the approach that you might take depending on your needs. Let me start by first addressing the types of record collectors that might need to consider a record cleaning machine (RCM).
The audiophile with priority on sound quality
The record collector with priority on the music itself with SQ of secondary importance
Obviously there could be some who are both, but to keep this organized, we'll deal with the two types separately. The audiophile who is after best SQ possible should buy the best editions of recordings of interest and unquestionably will be best served with an ultra sonic RCM. Which one? I dunno. From what I can learn all US machines achieve similar results sonically, but there have been issues with longevity of some brands. I bought a HumminGuru, and one year in of moderate use my machine now needs a new water pump and solenoid valve. Customer support is excellent, but longevity is a question mark. By contrast I have been using VPI machines since 1986 and have never needed anything other than new brushes for scrubbing the records. VPI machines are just about bullet proof.
The record collector, with a collection spanning decades and many old records of variable condition is more likely to be happier with a vacuum machine. These are more suited to removing the grunge, finger prints and what not that old records seem to accumulate. Also, old records usually have small scratches, wear from repeated play, or from being subjected ot an old or worn stylus etc and no RCM can fix those problems anyway. So, the vacuum RCM is just as effective as the US for all practical purposes on old records. Also, if you collect and clean old records in batches, the vacuum RCM is considerably faster in use. For those who value their time the vacuum RCM has added appeal.
Next, I want to mention the fact that not everybody needs a RCM. There are manual washing machines like the Spin Clean or the new EZ Washer from HumminGuru that do a terrific job and are more than adequate for the occasional record cleaning chore. These should also be considered for the US RCM owner who runs into the occasional batch of old, dirty records because the US machines do not do as good a job of scrubbing off things like finger prints. So, a first clean with one of these manual washers, followed by a run through the US RCM makes a lot of sense.
Saving the best for last, for those who want to take a deep dive, I want to recommend Neil Antinn's book, which is available for free on line and is the definitive resource on the subject. Here is the link; thevinylpress.com/precision-aqueous-cleaning-of-vinyl-records-3rd-edition/
I hope this is useful and let me know how you do.
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Yeah well I bought a Ultrasonic machine 2 years ago and 2 gals of distilled water...I have never opened the box ,or the water.hmmmm.I just take the lp put it on a mirco cloth and use my record cleaning brush.I have been doing this since 1973...I was cleaning records and my friends thought I was Nuts.I don't buy used lousy records.Sometimes the light in the thrift isn't good .Oh well...but the same with cds if they have any scratches on ,I don't buy them...It's hard buying used lps...some say very good and there lousy .I just bought 6 Dave Masons albums on vinyl. The ad said good condition, the pictures looked very good...I got them and there look like they were never played...and a good price 6 for $24 bucks with the shipping and tax....that was Fabulous. |
@elliot
It is very similar to the cheap Vevor model I imported from China for under A$300. It certainly works, though it is noisy when the ultrasonics are switched on. Good feature is the thermostatically controlled water temperature and the timer control, though I use double times now. It does not have a filter, so I replace the water after a couple of uses with Canberra tap water that has gone through a Brita ion-exchange filter. The motor rotating the records is included, and a bit noisy too. The drying rack is excellent once fine-tuned, giving four edge contact points for a record standing vertically, and potentially holding a dozen records. About the first thing I do when I get home is fill it up, and put my latest purchases through before rinsing and drying overnight. It is semi-permanently set up in a bathroom. I have nothing to compare it to, but it is very much better than nothing! Works well for my spectacles, too |
@richardbrand That goop deal sounds like the old wood glue revisited idea to me. If you haven't heard of it, several years ago a guy came up with the notion of using Elmer's Wood Glue to clean records. He even did a video. Anyway, smear it on, let it set up and then peal it off and it pulled all the crap out of the record grooves. Ingenious. Like all simple solutions for a complex problem it didn't work. |
I own a vacuum record cleaner and an ultrasonic machine. For the VAST majority of records, a good cleaning and rinsing with a vacuum cleaner does the job and an additional ultrasonic cleaning does not appear to improve the sound. But, once in a while a record that seems physically damaged will be improved by ultrasonic cleaning. It is rare, but I have a few records rescued by such cleaning. My recommendation would be to buy a relatively cheap vacuum machine, like the cheapest Nitty Gritty. I prefer machines that only clean one side at a time and allow for manual spinning of the record for both the cleaning and vacuuming cycle. I like to manually scrub the records with a back and forth motion rather than having the record just spin in one direction. Make sure you have extra cleaning pads for the parts that contact the record as these do wear out. I have seen a demonstration of of the Kirkmuss system which involves repeated scrubbing and ultrasonic treatment until the scrubbing cycle shows no evidence of residue remaining on the record. This may be MANY cycles and more than half an hour for a single record. It would be something I would only do for the most precious records in my collection. |
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