Stylus Cleaners

[Ronflugelguy]

How about feedback on stylus cleaners and cleaning proceedures.

[PsychFan]

For too long I struggled with the Discwasher stylus brush and fluid. As a Phonogram list member once stated: It's like using a garden rake to comb your hair.

Just recently I got a hold of Record Research's LP #9 cleaner. The cool thing about it is that it comes with two brushes ... a soft, long-bristled brush that resembles a nail-polish brush, and a shorter-bristled one that's more like (but not as crude as) the Discwasher one.

The directions say to use the long-bristled brush to apply the fluid to the short-bristled brush, but often I just use it to apply the fluid directly to the stylus. The results are great.

I give the stylus a quick brush before each LP side.

[Ronflugelguy]

Thanks Jeff.

[Andy]

Anyone tried the LAST stylus cleaner?:confused:

[Ben]

Hi, Andy...

I use the Last stylus cleaner and have been very happy with results. It comes with two brushes - one on the applicator that also serves as the bottle cap, and short-bristled brush.

Works for me!

Regards,

Ben

[Beagle]

Originally posted by Andy
Anyone tried the LAST stylus cleaner?:confused: I use LAST stylus cleaner, followed by STYLAST stylus treatment. The STYLAST apparently elongates stylus life by "coating" the stylus, although I'm not quite sure how the liquid does not dry up or get "rubbed off" by the vinyl after the first turn of the LP.

[Steve w]

Is the Discwasher stylus brush and fluid cleaner "safe" to use for cleaning the stylus until getting something better?

[Stax Fan]

I used to use LAST stylus cleaner as it was very effective AND contained no alcohol or oils. Last year, on advice, I tried Zerodust. Great stuff. The lid of the Zerodust container doubles as a magnifier. Using this, I was unable to visually detect any difference in the effectiveness between the Last stylus cleaner and Zerodust. I was also unable to detect any audible difference. I gave $69 for my Zerodust, and while that may seem a bit steep, it is supposed to last a very long time. It's kind of like a soft blob of material that removes dirt/dust from the stylus when dipped into it. When occasionally necessary, it is washable in warm water (I'd use distilled water just to be safe). It's just easier and quicker. If you try it, be sure not to move the stylus laterally in the material...straight up and down is the proper method.

[sgraham]

Originally posted by Steve w
Is the Discwasher stylus brush and fluid cleaner "safe" to use for cleaning the stylus until getting something better?
I rarely use the fluid, but I've used the brush itself for decades with no adverse effects.

[Sckott]

Count me in too to a shameless Discwasher stylus cleaner user. I've not had a problem with them. Just use it as directed. It's one brush I can count on to do the job right in one application.

[Todd Fredericks]

I also recommend Research's LP #9 cleaner. Like Jeff, I use the same proceedure (nail polish brush when starting my listening session/so formal, ya when I play the first freak'n record!!) and then the shorter-bristled one (marine cut?) before each side (no liquid/just scrape, scrape, scrape). I usually use the "scrape, scrape, scrape" brush before I apply the liquid with the other brush in the described proceedure (just to remove any simple dust, etc.). I think this is a great product. I listen just about every day ("Get a life, Spotty!") and after several months, there's still at least 90-95% product left!! I've used the Disc Doctor (stylus cleaner) and Discwasher stuff but I'm very happy with LP #9 (fans of the White album??)...

Todd

P.S. Warning, don't attempt to clean your stylus with explosives, it ain't worth it!!!

[Albertporter]

Another vote for LP #9, I have been using it for several years and have experienced zero problems.

[Ronflugelguy]

Welcome, Albert!

[Jim Ricketts]

I avoid all liquids and MUCH prefer my electronic cleaner and the Discwasher brush.

[Dan C]

Originally posted by Albertporter
Another vote for LP #9, I have been using it for several years and have experienced zero problems.

And yet another vote. I've used LP #9 for over two years, great cleaner and value.
Dan C

[Albertporter]

Thank you for the welcome Ronflugelguy. This looks like the perfect spot to discover new music.

[quadjoe]

I too have used the Discwasher stylus cleaner for decades with no ill effects. I don't use the fluid every time, though, just once every 50 plays or so. Never had a problem yet.

[Upstateaudio]

:) another option for cleaner is the extreme phono solid state stylus cleaner. Just use the cuing arm and dip the stylus into it( a container iwth a clear gumy substance), the dust and gunk sticks to it. I used to use the liquid cleaners and brush, this is easier, less chance of being klutzy and wrecking stylus as long as you don't leave stylus in this cleaner in the gunk.:winkgrin:

[Ronflugelguy]

Originally posted by Upstateaudio
:) another option for cleaner is the extreme phono solid state stylus cleaner. Just use the cuing arm and dip the stylus into it( a container iwth a clear gumy substance), the dust and gunk sticks to it. I used to use the liquid cleaners and brush, this is easier, less chance of being klutzy and wrecking stylus as long as you don't leave stylus in this cleaner in the gunk.:winkgrin:

These two different gummy cleaners seem to be the way to go with the over forty failing eyesight!!!!!!!!!

[Upstateaudio]

:agree: Ron, you goy it. Bifocals or reading glasses are an absolute drag.

[Stax Fan]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy


These two different gummy cleaners seem to be the way to go with the over forty failing eyesight!!!!!!!!!

Hey dammit...I'm 30! :)

[Ronflugelguy]

Originally posted by Arin


Hey dammit...I'm 30! :) Hey, I was reffering to mysel
f!The 49 year old!:eek:

[Paul Chang]

I used Record Research Lab LP #9 before. It was very effective in removing the dirt from my stylus - so effective that I could see the sediment at the bottom of the bottle. It is not good to insert the dirty brush back into the bottle. It's alcohol based - will evaporate real fast if the cap is not tightened.

I'm using Lyra SPT (Stylus Performance Treatment). The applicator brush, which I wash with distiled water after each listening session, is not part of the cap so it is less likely to contaminate the cleaning fluid. It is non-volatile so will last longer. (It'd better be. The list price is $45 for a tiny 5 ml bottle!)

[sgraham]

Perhaps it was just an urban myth, I don't know for sure, but there was a rumour once that alcohol-based cleaners can dissolve the stuff that bonds the diamond to the cantilever (does not apply to "nude" types, obviously).