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Vacuum Record Cleaner Rreplacement

I get most of my records from from garage sales and such, and they are typically pretty dirty.  My record cleaning protocol is to run them through the vacuum record cleaner then the ultrasonic cleaner.  If they have fingerprints or mold I’ll put them through the Neil Antin’s method.  I’ve done it this way for years with good results.

Unfortunately, my venerable Music Hall WCS-2 needs a new cleaning wand and I’ve been told from numerous sources that the parts are no longer available.  I started the hunt for a new vacuum cleaner and found a suitable replacement.  Before I pull the trigger, I wanted to determine if I really need a vacuum cleaner if I’m using the ultrasonic.  I’ve used both cleaners in succession more from habit than any practical reason, though I’ve convinced myself that the vacuum cleaner gets the big chunks off first and the ultrasonic does the fine, deep cleaning.  I don’t know if this is true or not.  

I’d like to know the thoughts of the group.  I’m more than happy to buy another vacuum cleaner, but could always put that money toward something else if it is not needed.  

Thanks in advance for your help.

jrcotner
oberoniaomnia
344 posts
 

I have done it the other way around: US then vac. My thinking goes as follows. The record is wet out of the US, with residual dirt +++ suspended in the remaining water. Removing that dirty water, as opposed to air dry with that gunk still on the record, results in cleaner final result. Has worked very well for me with dead quiet vinyl. I use a  Vevor US and run 9 records at a time for 30 min at 45–50C, with a few drops of generic dish soap. I don't see the need for all the fancy solutions, and I get dead quiet records. Rega Naia with Aphelion 2 should be rather revealing. So proof is in the pudding.

I currently use a Pro-ject vacuum, and have been looking for the Record Doctor X to re-appear. Double sided vacuum is very appealing as opposed to turning record around. However, the X has been out of production for a long time. Apparently there is a successor model in the works, but not sure about specs. Other double sided vacs are silly expensive.

tablejockey
4,403 posts
 

I by used almost exclusively.

Inexpensive Spin Clean for initial muck off then US.

Seems to do the deed for me.

Not scrubbing /tedious procedures here. Low tech & simple.

The SC has been my only method prior to US.

 

fastricky
139 posts
 

My patented method and it's the best IMHO (I've tried them all!):

Clean with SpinClean 1

Rinse with SpinClean 2

Vacuum dry with this thingy (more people need to know this exists): https://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/ur1200.htm

lewm
14,650 posts
 

I don't think both vacuum and US are necessary.  Choose one or the other but if you have really filthy LPs, just rinse them off in the sink with mild dish detergent followed by water only, before the US bath.  I use only vacuum, VPI HW17. I vacuum after washing with a cleaning formulation then again after washing with distilled water to remove any residue of the cleaner. 

 

jrcotner OP
79 posts
 

Thanks for the info.  I was inclined to think the ultrasonic alone would be sufficient.  Though I've found that the ultrasonic cleaner doesn't remove mold and fingerprints so I use Neil's method for those.    

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