Cleaning Vinyl

I love Gruv Glide, but Albert does know of what he speaks. I feel it reduces friction very well, therefore groove wear is also reduced. It needs no post cleaning after application. It is of course paramount that you get a cleaning machine, either of the VPI's. I'm still trying to decide if there are better dust brushes (for VERY minor cleaning just before play). My AudioQuest carbon brush has put extremely faint scratches on a blank LP side, and that troubles me. Anyway, if you have LP's that are extremely dirty (30 year old fingerprints in the grooves, etc.), you can use diluted alcohol and a soft cloth, BEFORE the cleaning machine. Perhaps I'll take heat for that last one, but I'm not concerned about it in the least. Good luck, AND DO BUY THE CLASSIC RECORDS REISSUES, if at all possible...

I have owned a VPI 16.5 machine for many years and have been very happy with it. I use the brush that comes with it for really dirty records (flea market and thrift store acquisitions) and a discwasher brush for normal cleaning before play. I still use VPI record cleaning fluid; it's about $20 per gallon but it seems to last forever. I use nothing else on the records; many of the protectants add somewhat of a glaze and I have been nervous about using them on old records that are not easily replaced.

i was using a watts dust-bug while the record was playing; recently upgraded to a nos kieth monks record sweeper. this is all-metal, & is actually grounded - helps reduce static. i have no problems w/dust accumulating on the stylus. i also use a zero-stat gun, and last record preservative & stylus preservative. re: record-cleaning machines, - *have* used a friend's machine, & it *is* nice, but, with what *i* have, i get perfectly acceptable results w/a sponge, mild dish-soap, and luke-warm water in the kitchen sink! dry w/a soft towel. doug

"Carl" is absolutely right! (as usual). I use "Gruv Glide" exclusively. It completely kills static, so there is no particulate attraction, it enhances trackability so the sound is better, and best of all it does not affect or "eat" the vinyl like other products. It can be completely washed off. 1 can does about 150 albums so it's very economical too. Phenomenal stuff, worth a try at 24$!! By the way Gruv Glide is/was a previously "Stereophile Recommended" accessory if that's important to you.

Thank you for the compliment, Bhrowe.