Cleaning Records.

[Jimi]

Just wondering what's the best way to clean vinyl records? Sometimes my RCA Discwasher brush and fluid just doesn't cut it. Anybody tried the Spin Clean Record Cleaner? Thanks

[luteman]

I have never used the "Spin-Clean" which is about $100 I think. If $600-$800 is affordable I would suggest Clear Audio's basic Record Cleaning Machine. Again I have never used the Spin-Clean but have watched it used, your record is still sitting in the contaminated fluid as you turn it. You then have to put it vertical in a dish rack or equivalent device and wait for it to dry. With the record cleaning machine the fluid is vacuumed off the record, and can be played almost immediately.

[John72953]

The Spin-Clean washer fluid is a "flocculant", which causes any and all particles to fall to the bottom...thereby keeping the mixture clean. You will not be washing in contaminated fluid. It's a wonderful choice for those who can't afford or don't want to spend the money on a mechanical alternative.

[Jimi]

The Spin-Clean washer fluid is a "flocculant", which causes any and all particles to fall to the bottom...thereby keeping the mixture clean. You will not be washing in contaminated fluid. It's a wonderful choice for those who can't afford or don't want to spend the money on a mechanical alternative.

I've heard this is good. I guess the vacuum based units are probably better , but they are at least 5 times the cost and probably only clean about 5% better. I wonder if anyone on the forum has done a direct comparison. If so please share the results. Thanks

[John72953]

Several people have noticed that after a cleaning with the Spin-Clean that their records exhibited some additional static, which of course is most disheartening after you've just cleaned them. I think I have found a way to eliminate that by changing the cleaning procedure. This is what I do:

1. Give it the recommended 3 turns of cleaning in both directions.
2. Let it almost completely air-dry by placing it in upright position on a dish-rack or something similar. I line it with some cheesecloth, so the LP doesn't touch the rack directly.
3. Gently wipe any remaining liquid from the LP (there should be almost none).
4. Apply a coating of Gruv_Glide anti-static spray to the supplied pad on both sides of the LP.

This method has worked very effectively and has completely eliminated all static. I should mention that the key is to let the LP air-dry. I think the wiping of a wet LP with the cloth introduces the static.

Another tip. If you're concerned about the residue (as mentioned before) wait about 5 minutes between each LP cleaning. This is enough time for any residue to settle at the bottom of the Spin-Clean.

Anyway, I shared this as these are my observations and they might work for you as well!

[Jimi]

Several people have noticed that after a cleaning with the Spin-Clean that their records exhibited some additional static, which of course is most disheartening after you've just cleaned them. I think I have found a way to eliminate that by changing the cleaning procedure. This is what I do:

1. Give it the recommended 3 turns of cleaning in both directions.
2. Let it almost completely air-dry by placing it in upright position on a dish-rack or something similar. I line it with some cheesecloth, so the LP doesn't touch the rack directly.
3. Gently wipe any remaining liquid from the LP (there should be almost none).
4. Apply a coating of Gruv_Glide anti-static spray to the supplied pad on both sides of the LP.

This method has worked very effectively and has completely eliminated all static. I should mention that the key is to let the LP air-dry. I think the wiping of a wet LP with the cloth introduces the static.

Another tip. If you're concerned about the residue (as mentioned before) wait about 5 minutes between each LP cleaning. This is enough time for any residue to settle at the bottom of the Spin-Clean.

Anyway, I shared this as these are my observations and they might work for you as well!

Hi John, Thanks for the advice. I've not yet bought the Spin Clean , but am seriously considering it. For # 4. Apply a coating of Gruv_Glide anti-static spray to the supplied pad on both sides of the LP. By pad do you just mean the cleaning cloths used to wipe the LP's dry? Does the anti static spray have alcohol in it and evaporate ? Does it leave any residue on the vinyl? I've never heard of this and want to be sure that using the anti-static spray won't damage your LP's or the needle etc. Thanks

[Suave]

Our contributor Giovanni purchased and reviewed the SpinClean for one of our past issues and I know that he's very happy with it. It's basically the most effective, most affordable non-mechanical device on the market.

Thank you for the wonderful tips John - I think a lot of members and other people reading this forum will benefit from these

[John72953]

Hi John, Thanks for the advice. I've not yet bought the Spin Clean , but am seriously considering it. For # 4. Apply a coating of Gruv_Glide anti-static spray to the supplied pad on both sides of the LP. By pad do you just mean the cleaning cloths used to wipe the LP's dry? Does the anti static spray have alcohol in it and evaporate ? Does it leave any residue on the vinyl? I've never heard of this and want to be sure that using the anti-static spray won't damage your LP's or the needle etc. Thanks

Gruv_Glide comes with 2 micro-fiber pads and it is those that you use. The can doesn't list what the spray contains, but I've used it for years without any issues.

Here is the link: http://www.gruvglide.com/HOME.html

[Jimi]

Gruv_Glide comes with 2 micro-fiber pads and it is those that you use. The can doesn't list what the spray contains, but I've used it for years without any issues.

Here is the link: http://www.gruvglide.com/HOME.html

Hey John , Thanks for the link. When you first mentioned the anti-static spray , I assumed it was just a spray. I didn't know that it was actually designed for use with vinyl LP's.

[Jimi]

Has anybody tried "In The Groove Record Cleaner" ?