Homebrew Record Cleaner

[Pug]

Howdy,

I have a quick question. I want to make that homebrew record cleaner formula that Mikey5967 posted a while back but I can't seem to find Lysol Direct anywhere? Where do you find this at? I've looked at a few places but had no luck.

Thanks!
Sean

[RetroSmith]

Hey Sean.

Mikey here. You can find Lysol Direct at any Kmart, Wallmart, Target, etc store. I am hearing that it may be called Lysol Multi Purpose Cleanser now...that may be why youre having trouble.

Another thing is that If you dont use a vacumn record cleaner (I dont use one) , if you want to get your records really clean, use the home brew cleaner, AND use the "Water Jet" method.

After you scrub your records, run the water in your sink or Tub FULL FORCE. Hold the record underneath, at a 45 degree angle and rotate it all the way around, say 3 or 4 times. The Water pressure will blast the already loosened grit out of the grooves. This works incredibly well, and its FREE. I finish this up with a heavy spray of distilled water over the record and then let it air dry. this removed any mineral deposits that might cause ticks and pops.

Try it and let me know how you make out.

Mikey

[Pug]

Thanks Mikey!

I suspected it may be renamed but I didn't know what it was called now.

I just got the Disc Doctor brushes and was going to use the homebrew cleaner with them.

Thanks again for the info!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Sean

[sharedon]

Anyone every try the Library of Congress' homebrew?? See:

http://www.loc.gov/preserv/care/record.html

[whaaat]

Originally posted by sharedon
Anyone every try the Library of Congress' homebrew??
Hmmm... it looked interesting until I saw this disclaimer:

We strongly advise against the preparation of the cleaning solution or its use, as well as the use of solvents by persons who are not trained in the safe handling of chemicals. Even well-trained persons should not prepare this solution at facilities that are not equipped with a working fume-hood that provides an acceptable air flow. Safety glasses must be worn during the preparation and use of the cleaning solution or the recommended solvents. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) for all ingredients and solvents must be made available to all persons involved in any of the procedures presented here. These documents can be obtained from the providers of the individual chemicals.

[RetroSmith]

Yes, stick to mine. It works and it doesnt kill you.

[audio]

The folks at prix inc. would like to send out this friendly holiday reminder to all you vinyl fans out there:

DO NOT USE HOMEBREW RECORD CLEANER


Nothing personal, Mikey. It's just about saying what has to be said.

[RetroSmith]

LOL....and why not?

[Highway Star]

Here's an interesting page on DIY cleaner:

http://www.xs4all.nl/~rabruil/rc1.html

There's also a very informative page on that site for cartridge/turntable set-up too.

[visprashyana]

I'm still surprised that people follow anything that appears on the web. Please do not use this formula on your vinyl!

I have spoken to many chemical and mechanical engineers about this topic and they laugh at some of the ingredients that are used on vinyl. First, the isopropyl alcohol will degrade the chemical compound of the vinyl. Second, the household variety "Dawn" will leave such a residue that you will be embarrassed about your choice. Dawn and similar products have chemicals which stick to your dinnerware and allow food to be removed easier. I'm not sure I want anything that chemically attaches to my vinyl.

Spend a couple extra dollars and buy your own variety of DD, Rec Research, or Nitty Gritty.

Please be careful what you add to your vinyl.

[RetroSmith]

Both of those statements are true, but the idea is that they wont do harm if you get the fluid on and off the record quickly and rinse very well.

[Mike V]

Originally posted by visprashyana
I'm still surprised that people follow anything that appears on the web. Please do not use this formula on your vinyl!

I have spoken to many chemical and mechanical engineers about this topic and they laugh at some of the ingredients that are used on vinyl. First, the isopropyl alcohol will degrade the chemical compound of the vinyl. Second, the household variety "Dawn" will leave such a residue that you will be embarrassed about your choice. Dawn and similar products have chemicals which stick to your dinnerware and allow food to be removed easier. I'm not sure I want anything that chemically attaches to my vinyl.

Spend a couple extra dollars and buy your own variety of DD, Rec Research, or Nitty Gritty.

Please be careful what you add to your vinyl.

That alcohol (as used in cleaning) will degrade vinyl is nonsense. My brother, also a research chemist, agrees with me. The time any alcohol spends in contact with the LP is not going to cause any damage whatsoever.. I have 1300+ records I've cleaned with a mix of anyhydrous isopropyl (20%)/distilled water (80%), and not a one of them has ever developed any problems, 15 years & counting. Good vinyl comes out whisper quiet, as it should. My only beef is that static is not well controlled, but I find that all vinyl differs in how readily it will carry a static charge, and very often it's not a problem at all.

A combination of cleaning by hand (for gritty/nasty flea mkt/used type finds) & using a vacuum machine (VPI HW17) has worked wonders for me. In really awful cases (leaching from clear plastic inner sleeves, etc), I've also used HCFCs with great success, but never on polystyrene (it will dissolve!). If you want to blow money unnecessarily, a company is now selling 3M Vertrel (a non-ozone depleting fast-evaporating solvent) in a spray can marketed specifically for cleaning records, with a premium price tag. It's basically the same thing as the HCFC, results wise, though I believe HCFC is slowly being phased out due to environmental issues. I think they recommend spraying the Vertrel directly onto the vinyl & letting it run off (uh, not a good idea IMO). Check Music Direct - they carry it.