Question about cleaning vinyl - Blu-ray Forum

Steelmaker · 08-21-2015, 04:48 PM

If I don't have an official vinyl cleaning kit, are there any around the house products I can use to clean them with?

schan1269 · 08-21-2015, 04:52 PM

Eye glass cleaner.

Wipes or bottle/fiber towel kit.

Exact same stuff. 1/4 the cost.

Steelmaker · 08-21-2015, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schan1269

Eye glass cleaner.

Wipes or bottle/fiber towel kit.

Exact same stuff. 1/4 the cost.

Thanks!!!

Johnny Vinyl · 08-25-2015, 01:57 PM

I would strongly suggest you get at least a Spin-Clean system.

Mr.Twinks · 08-25-2015, 02:07 PM

I have been using groove glide for years and it works good.

schan1269 · 08-25-2015, 04:13 PM

I've never used a spin clean.

I've always use a brush with a spritz of eye wash. Fiber towel if you don't have a brush.

Steelmaker · 08-25-2015, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

I would strongly suggest you get at least a Spin-Clean system.

Sorry Johnny, I refuse to pay those ridiculous prices. The cheapest I've seen those sold for is like 70.00 and that is a rip off of for a plastic miniature tub that you manually spin your records in. In fact, I've found that vinyl record accessories in general are the very definition of price gouging.

Steelmaker · 08-25-2015, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schan1269

I've never used a spin clean.

I've always use a brush with a spritz of eye wash. Fiber towel if you don't have a brush.

I tried this with a micro fiber cloth and it worked great!

Johnny Vinyl · 08-26-2015, 01:06 PM

A cloth only serves to remove surface dust & grime and does not and cannot deep clean into the grooves.

I did a search on eyeglass cleaner to see what it consists of, but came up empty.

schan1269 · 08-26-2015, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

A cloth only serves to remove surface dust & grime and does not and cannot deep clean into the grooves.

I did a search on eyeglass cleaner to see what it consists of, but came up empty.

Eye glass cleaner is, essentially, isopropyl alcohol.

If it is good enough for a $1500 Zeiss...

I agree about the microfiber towel. Why I use a brush(what $12? I think I've bought 4 since 1985).

But...if you don't have a brush...

Also...if you really get a record dirty...

Filtered water(not tap) from a bottle or pur/culligan/Brita warmed up to about 85°/90°(F) and soaked with a touch of dish soap(non lotion variety, lotion is just harder to rinse). Use a sponge(doubled sided not really necessary) that has NEVER touched animal fat.

Johnny Vinyl · 08-26-2015, 04:18 PM

The bottom line is that at least the vinyl gets some sort of attention with these basic methods. It's better than not cleaning at all. I have too much invested in my collection and system to not use something that is proven to be much more effective.

schan1269 · 08-26-2015, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

The bottom line is that at least the vinyl gets some sort of attention with these basic methods. It's better than not cleaning at all. I have too much invested in my collection and system to not use something that is proven to be much more effective.

Not that I'm going to bemoan "the automated tank"...

I still have very playable vinyl from back when 8-track was the other choice...

I prefer treating my vinyl the the same way I treat my GF...

Hands on in a swirly motion...

And yeah...there are "automated methods" for that too.

Steelmaker · 08-26-2015, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

A cloth only serves to remove surface dust & grime and does not and cannot deep clean into the grooves.

I did a search on eyeglass cleaner to see what it consists of, but came up empty.

I could understand investing in a pricey record cleaner if I owned a record store and took used records as trade. I'd absolutely clean every record before putting them out on the shelves for sale. However for my own personal collection, I just don't see the value in it.

Johnny Vinyl · 08-26-2015, 05:56 PM

Deep cleaning one's records with either a manual system, such as the Spin-Clean, or more expensive automated RCMs not only assures that they are truly clean, they benefit from better performance (sonics) as well. That is a fact.

Additionally they help to reduce possible stylus damage/wear from dirty grooves, and potentially further damaging the grooves themselves.

BTW...many record stores will machine-clean your records for a nominal fee, so that may be an option.

HotRats · 08-29-2015, 06:52 PM

The best cleaners are Keith Monks but they cost £2000-£3000, they are still pretty much the same as when they went on sale in 1969.

Johnny Vinyl · 08-29-2015, 10:50 PM

The Ultrasonic cleaners from Audiodesk and KL Audio are now pretty much the standard for the audiophile with deep pockets. The KL Audio is $4,000 USD.

Steelmaker · 08-30-2015, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

The Ultrasonic cleaners from Audiodesk and KL Audio are now pretty much the standard for the audiophile with deep pockets. The KL Audio is $4,000 USD.

schan1269 · 08-30-2015, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

And you thought $70 was ridiculous...

For $4000 I'll hire a topless cleaning service to perform "wax on, wax off" on my record collection...a few times a decade...

Johnny Vinyl · 08-30-2015, 01:20 PM

It's all relative though.

starman15317 · 08-30-2015, 10:24 PM

I have a Discwasher from the 80's that I use with record cleaning fluid. It's good enough for me.

08-21-2015, 04:48 PM	#1
Steelmaker Blu-ray Baron Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Chattanooga, TN Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Question about cleaning vinyl If I don't have an official vinyl cleaning kit, are there any around the house products I can use to clean them with?

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08-21-2015, 04:52 PM	#2
schan1269 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2013 Location:Lake county, Indiana. Opposite end of Gary... Blu-ray reviews:2	Eye glass cleaner. Wipes or bottle/fiber towel kit. Exact same stuff. 1/4 the cost.

08-25-2015, 01:57 PM	#4
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	I would strongly suggest you get at least a Spin-Clean system.

08-25-2015, 02:07 PM	#5
Mr.Twinks Special Member Member since:Aug 2011 Location:Minnesota! Home Theater Gallery:4 4K collection:3 Blu-ray collection:147 DVD collection:1	I have been using groove glide for years and it works good.

08-25-2015, 04:13 PM	#6
schan1269 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2013 Location:Lake county, Indiana. Opposite end of Gary... Blu-ray reviews:2	I've never used a spin clean. I've always use a brush with a spritz of eye wash. Fiber towel if you don't have a brush.

08-26-2015, 01:06 PM	#9
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	A cloth only serves to remove surface dust & grime and does not and cannot deep clean into the grooves. I did a search on eyeglass cleaner to see what it consists of, but came up empty.

08-26-2015, 04:18 PM	#11
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	The bottom line is that at least the vinyl gets some sort of attention with these basic methods. It's better than not cleaning at all. I have too much invested in my collection and system to not use something that is proven to be much more effective.

08-26-2015, 05:56 PM	#14
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Deep cleaning one's records with either a manual system, such as the Spin-Clean, or more expensive automated RCMs not only assures that they are truly clean, they benefit from better performance (sonics) as well. That is a fact. Additionally they help to reduce possible stylus damage/wear from dirty grooves, and potentially further damaging the grooves themselves. BTW...many record stores will machine-clean your records for a nominal fee, so that may be an option.

08-29-2015, 06:52 PM	#15
HotRats Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Mar 2009	The best cleaners are Keith Monks but they cost £2000-£3000, they are still pretty much the same as when they went on sale in 1969.

08-29-2015, 10:50 PM	#16
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	The Ultrasonic cleaners from Audiodesk and KL Audio are now pretty much the standard for the audiophile with deep pockets. The KL Audio is $4,000 USD.

08-30-2015, 01:20 PM	#19
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	It's all relative though.

08-30-2015, 10:24 PM	#20
starman15317 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Feb 2012 Location:Pittsburgh 4K collection:129 Blu-ray collection:1297 DVD collection:244 iTunes collection:489 Trading Score:53	I have a Discwasher from the 80's that I use with record cleaning fluid. It's good enough for me.

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