Record cleaning - what's your method?

JohnnyCashFan said:
I feel you need a good vacuum style cleaner. I use the $199 Record Doctor.

Record Doctor V Record Cleaning Machine | Audio Advisor

The Record Doctor V Record Cleaning Machine is a manual record cleaner with a powerful high-performance vaccum motor that will signifcantly improve sound quality and extend the life of your LPs safely at a very low price
www.audioadvisor.com
But VPI's are the best in the next price bracket. I will upgrade to a HW16.5 one day.

For scuzzier or beater records I scrub with Mofi pads first, them put them on the machine for a several vacuum cycles.
Amazon product ASIN B000M9H03E
Let dry in a dish rack

I'm happy with the Chisto cleaner many here have recommended.
highend-electronics.com

Chisto Easy Groove Concentrate

For record cleaning machines. For all types of records from LPs to ancient 78 RPM shellacs. Quick and convenient way to keep your records at its best.
highend-electronics.com highend-electronics.com
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Me too, RDV and Chisto, with an Osage Audio brush from Missouri. But unless I get tired of hand-turning, I don't plan on buying a motorized vacuum cleaner. Vacuums is vacuums.
Waiting to hear about the humminguru though, that is intriguing
 
dansomeone said:
Me too, RDV and Chisto, with an Osage Audio brush from Missouri. But unless I get tired of hand-turning, I don't plan on buying a motorized vacuum cleaner. Vacuums is vacuums.
Waiting to hear about the humminguru though, that is intriguing
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What is the price on that going foward btw? I just worry about long term support as parts should be avaiulable for the Doctor or VPI for some time.
 
kvetcha said:
Love my Squeaky Clean. I've got a Humminguru coming at some point later this year, cuz ultrasonic is the holy grail, but the SqC has been a champ the whole time I've owned it.
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Same! The Squeaky Clean is great, but I look forward to having the option of a relatively hands-free cleaning experience. (I imagine I'll actually use the Squeaky Clean on some of my records while I'm waiting for the Humminguru to do its thing on others! Seems like that would be an efficient way to fill the waiting time.)
 
Anyone ever compared the Record Doctor V and the Squeaky Clean. Love my squeaky clean but my new space makes it hard to accommodate a shop vac. Was wondering if anyone ever used both and compared.
 
dbarila said:
Anyone ever compared the Record Doctor V and the Squeaky Clean. Love my squeaky clean but my new space makes it hard to accommodate a shop vac. Was wondering if anyone ever used both and compared.
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How large of a shop vac are you using? I use a Micro with my Squeaky Clean, and it requires only very minimal space.
 
For those who use record cleaning machines or other devices, are you still using other products such as a record cleaning brush or anti static devices?
Since I’ve had my VPI, I use my carbon fiber brush dramatically less than before.
I have a stylus brush but use that a few times a week mostly for dusting. Is a stylus solution even necessary?
 
Ginormousthumbs said:
For those who use record cleaning machines or other devices, are you still using other products such as a record cleaning brush or anti static devices?
Since I’ve had my VPI, I use my carbon fiber brush dramatically less than before.
I have a stylus brush but use that a few times a week mostly for dusting. Is a stylus solution even necessary?
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I still use a carbon fiber brush before playing each record, and I also use a stylus brush, but like you, not very often. I see no need for a stylus solution.
 
Ginormousthumbs said:
For those who use record cleaning machines or other devices, are you still using other products such as a record cleaning brush or anti static devices?
Since I’ve had my VPI, I use my carbon fiber brush dramatically less than before.
I have a stylus brush but use that a few times a week mostly for dusting. Is a stylus solution even necessary?
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I still use my Hunt ETA 6 Brush every side. Best brush I have used, $30 (If anyone needs one dm me)
 
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I tried that Hunt brush. The sound it made was like nails on a chalk board and I just couldn't take it.

I went to a Thunderon Conductive Record Brush from Sleeve City.

It's a bigger version of a lens brush I had years ago with my camera that I also used with records. Being wider is nice.


You can use it for getting rid of static, but you need to hold it. I just use it to wipe down just before playing. Then before I put it in the jacket, I give it a wipe while holding it and it's usually static free for a while.
 
LeeVing said:
I tried that Hunt brush. The sound it made was like nails on a chalk board and I just couldn't take it.

I went to a Thunderon Conductive Record Brush from Sleeve City.

It's a bigger version of a lens brush I had years ago with my camera that I also used with records. Being wider is nice.


You can use it for getting rid of static, but you need to hold it. I just use it to wipe down just before playing. Then before I put it in the jacket, I give it a wipe while holding it and it's usually static free for a while.
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I second the ⚡⚡ THUNDERON ⚡⚡brush from Sleeve City. Super soft, nice handle and it does reduce static.
 
dansomeone said:
I second the ⚡⚡ THUNDERON ⚡⚡brush from Sleeve City. Super soft, nice handle and it does reduce static.
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I would try one, but dont want to wait 3 months for it to arrive ;)

I have seen some Japanese audiophiles using what looks to be a giant shaving style brush on some very expensive pressings, Interesting.
 
I mentioned this on another thread but definitely DO NOT get the newest Audioquest Antistatic Brush. I have an older one and it's been great but they've doubled the bristle count and the new one is so stiff and coarse that it's actually scratching the vinyl. I thankfully tested it on a cheap but clean pressing and it's literally squealing as is goes across the record and I can clearly see the brush strokes etched into the record after. It's nuts. I tried loosening it up as much as possible but no dice. Definitely avoid.
 
Mather said:
I mentioned this on another thread but definitely DO NOT get the newest Audioquest Antistatic Brush. I have an older one and it's been great but they've doubled the bristle count and the new one is so stiff and coarse that it's actually scratching the vinyl. I thankfully tested it on a cheap but clean pressing and it's literally squealing as is goes across the record and I can clearly see the brush strokes etched into the record after. It's nuts. I tried loosening it up as much as possible but no dice. Definitely avoid.
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This was my issue with the Hunt brush.

The 2 rows of bristles were very short and seemed highly likely to scratch. The pad between just made the TT stop spinning....all while sounding like nails on a chalk board
 
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