Help with stylus cleaning

I too use the MoFi LP # 9 stylus cleaner. (I typically put the fluid on the brush, rather than directly on the stylus, to prevent it from getting onto the cantilever and possibly working its way up to the cartridge inards.)

One thing though: if you're getting that much dust on your stylus, that is an indication that your records need to be cleaned. I HIGHLY recommend that you get a vacuum record cleaning machine so you can wet clean and dry your records. Then you'll find your stylus will stay quite a bit cleaner, and your records will sound better and last longer.

My two cents worth anyway.

Ever since Doug Deacon introduced us to the ME, that's it! (followed by a 'touch' in the Onzow or a flick w/ a camel hair brush to remove any debris from the ME) The ME will remove stuff that nothing else will (confirmed w/ high-power pocket scope) -- even 'burned-on' vinyl solvents and mold release compounds from brand new records! In addition, the ME will clean out that little place between the cantilever and the back of the stylus where dirt gets jammed. All my other stylus cleaning implements (wet, ultrasonic, stiff stylus brush, etc.) have long since migrated to the back of the drawer. Here are some tips for using/preparing ME FWIW ;--)

1. Having CONTROL around a stylus is most important. To make a convenient and versatile tool, cut a 3/4" x 3/4" x 1-1/4" piece of ME.
2. Use a wood shrimp skewer or large toothpick to poke a small hole lengthwise halfway through the piece of ME. (Don't use an icepick or awl; the hole will be too big ;--)
3. You can now glue a handle into the piece of ME. A stiff but flexible plastic swizzle stick is best. The wood shrimp skewer is OK too. Coffee swizzles can break over unexpectedly. Apply a bit of super glue to about 1/4" of one end, and quickly insert into the hole in the ME with a single twist (don't twist back and forth or the glue will dry before you get the stick in ;--)

To use:

1. I don't like the 'dip' method, for either the ME or the Onzow (too many unrestrained elements involved ;--) If your tonearm rest has a clip that prevents upward movement of the arm, that's best. Otherwise, use a twist tie to hold the arm wand to the arm rest (yes, it's a p.i.t.a., but still preferrable to 'dipping'.)
2. Crack open the volume just a bit so you can 'hear' what you're doing!
3. Use BOTH hands, at least 'til you've had a little practice. Hold the 'handle' in your left and steady your left hand with your right hand. Lift the ME 'cube' straight up to the stylus and straight back down again. You will have no problem 'hearing' the the ME make contact with the stylus. Then, when you lower the ME, you will also hear a slight pop or tick, because the ME fibers actually 'grab' the stylus -- that's why it works so well. Do not pull the tool sideways or forward as you lower it away from the stylus (as previously when using a stiff stylus brush.) It won't clean any better; and depending on the physical design of the cartridge, you may damage the mechanism.
4. You don't really have to go any further. If there's (any) debris left on the stylus/cantilever, it will fall off with play. If you must, you can use a use a small short-handled camel-hair face powder makeup brush, brushing only back to front under the stylus -- one stroke is plenty.
5. Or, you can use the Onzow; holding it by the edges of the green plastic base, and lifting it straight up gently under the stylus, and then down. Again, having the volume turned up slightly will allow you to hear when its sticky surface contacts the stylus.

Frequency:

I'm not one who uses the ME before EVERY side of play! If your records are clean, and you've removed the mold release from them (preferrably when new) a touch with the Onzow before play should be more than enough. Under those conditions, every half dozen sides should be plenty for the ME treatment.

RE mold release: It is generally an organic substance that's incorporated right into the vinyl material of which the record is made, as opposed to (as I used to think ;--) 'sprayed on' just before the record is stamped! Enzyme cleaners won't affect mold release agents. YMMV, but I've only found two effective ways to remove it:

1.) Steam cleaning (I use steam with my Nitty Gritty, but there are some great 'steam' threads on AgoN and elsewhere, so I won't go into it here.)
2.) Solvent cleaning. I always use it on new records. They have a lot of release on them because it hasn't been 'played off. -- specifically (and only!) Micro Care Premier sold by many online stores http://www.musicdirect.com/product/73874
However, the SAME product (by the same company) is sold, for half the price, by other online retailers under the name of MicroCare CCC Contact Cleaner. Both contain the new, environmentally safe DuPont solvent Vertrel. The modern day substitute for carbon tetrachloride ;--) Here's a source
http://www.hmcelectronics.com/cgi-bin/scripts/product/5700-0022/MicroCare-MCC-CCC

I always give my clean records a swipe with a GROUNDED carbon fiber record brush just before play. Hope this info is helpful.

.

05-07-11: Kurt_tank wrote:
I typically put the fluid on the brush, rather than directly on the stylus, to prevent it from getting onto the cantilever and possibly working its way up to the cartridge inards.
-------------------------------------
How does one put fluid "directly on the stylus" without the use of a brush? This I have to hear.

The brush in question is the cleaning brush, not the applicator brush that is in the bottle. Understand now?

So you meant that you typically use the applicator brush in the bottle to apply to the cleaning brush, as opposed to using the applicator brush to apply the cleaner to the stylus? Yes, now I understand. Sorry I didn't get it the first time. Excuse me if Enlish is not your first language.