Cleaning Vinyl

Sedond -I am curious about the metal device you mentioned that is similar to the dustbug. I am using an old dustbug and have found it to be the best device short of a VPI or NG machine. However, my dustbug is beggining to wear out and I am seeking to replace it until I can afford a proper machine....

http://www.high-endaudio.com/ - this is arthur salvatore's www; he still has some of these kieth monks record sweepers on his site, so mebbe he still has a few - they're n.o.s. there seems to be some carbon-fibre mixed in w/the animal-hair on the brush-end; the arm & base are all metal, w/a grounding wire coming outta the base. it tracks the grooves well, like a dust-bug; i couldn't imagine playing records w/o one of thes types of devices...

Think that 50% alcohol might be too much.Empty gallon of distilled watter into container pour in one pint of alchohol 2-3 drops of clear dish liquid and photoflow.Works great.I use Last Power Cleaner on really gummed up LP's or if there not I just use an Alsop Orbitrac beofre I run it through my VPI 16.5.Thereafter unles it really has collected with dust from sitting out for a few days I use a brand new Allsop pad or one that has only cleaned LP's that have been thuroughly cleaned on machine.Last Preservative is worth it's weight in gold (Mike at VPI say's folks bring him Lp at shows treated with it that have used LAST and they sound like they have been played half a doz times not hundreds like they have.There are some disagreements about if one should clean after LAST treatment with just plain water after all the other steps are done.

A few questions-
EVERYONE seems to prefer the VPI to the Nitty Gritty. I've got a Nitty Gritty. Am I stupid? Uninformed? Having never used a VPI, I need an explanation--hopefully not just an opinion, but from someone who has actually USED both.

I remember reading in Stereophile that one of the reviewers used some sort of acid on his records. The theory was that it removed the molding compound. Anyone remember this?

On the subject of molding compound, my understanding is that one needs either the aforementioned acid to remove it, or a high concentration of IPA (50%), or a slightly less strong concoction of IPA and methyl Alcohol in about a 2:1 ratio.

I personally use 70% steam distilled water, 20 % IPA, 10% Methyl Alcohol, and a few drops of dishwasher liquid, and a few more drops of PhotoFlo. Then sometimes I put Last on it, play it once, clean the stylus, and clean the record again with steam distilled water and PhotoFlo. I look forward to trying Groove Glide ( however it's spelled) after that. I also look forward to trying a Milty Zerostat.

The whole point of the chemicals is to wash off contaminants, dirt, grease, molding compound. The PhotoFlo is a nessesary surfactant if one wishes to clean the bottom of a groove. None of these chemicals come in contact with the vinyl for long, hopefully not long enough for adverse chemical changes to occur. Therein lies much debate--how long is too long? Any susequent washings would be done with Water and PhotoFlo.

I gotta figure if you're playing your records on a $200,000 rig with a Rockport centerpiece, your requirements may be different than mine. The Rockports are having their people buy mint unplayed records, and their clening requirements are different. Most of the records I buy need strong cleaning, and I feel that the benefits of getting that layer of molding compound off so that MY stylus is the first to play the vinyl (and not just ride on the molding compound)is worth the risk that the record is being subtly damaged. Hopefully, the Last more than makes up for it.

The Cheapskate

I have a Nitty Gritty 1.5 FI record cleaner, which I got as a second at Upscale Audio. I don't really see how the VPI could be any better and it is more expensive. The VPI has the Cork mat in contact with the side not being cleaned, while the only contact with the Nitty Gritty is the vacuum slot. The 1.5 FI is quick and effective. The fluid is injected on the underside of the record, the plush pad applies the fluid evenly over the record. After the record turns for about 20 seconds, the switch is moved to the vacuum position and quickly, all of the fluid is removed and the record is clean. I have bought many used record which appear to be in very bad condition and sound like a new record after cleaning. Also, the plush pad replacements are relatively cheap and easy to apply. The VPI requires occasional replacement of the cleaning brush and the vacuum tube. The Nitty Gritty products may not be as pretty as the VPI's, but I believe that they work just as well for a lower price.