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Cleaning soap for vinyl [message #83391] Sat, 27 August 2016 01:55 Go to next message
Leon is currently offline  Leon
Messages: 20
Registered: August 2016
Chancellor
Since I've found myself with plenty of time on my hands recently, I've decided to clean my vinyl collection. I'm not sure what kind of soap to use, however. I'd appreciate any ideas. Smile
Re: Cleaning soap for vinyl [message #83420 is a reply to message #83391] Mon, 29 August 2016 22:04 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gofar99 is currently offline  gofar99
Messages: 1895
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, It is not quite as simple as you might expect. I suggest that you visit the vinyengine.com site and look in the section about music. Vinyl cleaning is a major topic there (probably a thousand posts). Generally you don't want to use anything that leaves a residue. No water softeners, no fragrances etc. I have used Dawn regular strength unscented dish washing soap. You need to rinse well after it. In an extreme case (insoluble gunk on a few second hand LPs) I used a citrus based cleaner followed by Simple Green (to get the citrus residue off) and then Dawn. Tedious but works.

Now I use a diy ultrasonic cleaner with a solution of 5% of 91% alcohol, 1 ounce of dawn and 1 ounce of dish washer wetting agent. The rest of the solution is distilled water (about 4 quarts). This is followed by a distilled water rinse and vacuum dry. Time consuming but worth it IMO.

A modest cost alternative is the Spin Clean record cleaner. With some solution it runs about $75. It works pretty good. I now use the Spin Clean as my rinse container.



Good Listening
Bruce
Re: Cleaning soap for vinyl [message #83421 is a reply to message #83391] Tue, 30 August 2016 01:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Leon is currently offline  Leon
Messages: 20
Registered: August 2016
Chancellor
Thanks for the informative reply, Bruce. I did not realize just how complicated the whole thing is. I'm sure perusing the site you mentioned will be extremely helpful. I don't mind tedious work (I quite enjoy it really) so I will try a recipe before opting for the prepared solution. Have a nice day!
Re: Cleaning soap for vinyl [message #83437 is a reply to message #83391] Wed, 31 August 2016 11:47 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bcharlton is currently offline  bcharlton
Messages: 112
Registered: August 2016
Viscount
I haven't cleaned my vinyl collection for ages and the information posted by Bruce is really invaluable. Do we normally have any other options other than doing it ourselves? Are there places you can take them for cleaning?
Re: Cleaning soap for vinyl [message #83495 is a reply to message #83391] Mon, 05 September 2016 10:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Leon is currently offline  Leon
Messages: 20
Registered: August 2016
Chancellor
Yes, there are many places you can take your vinyls to have them cleaned professionally. Just use the Net to look up some of these in your area.
Re: Cleaning soap for vinyl [message #83499 is a reply to message #83495] Mon, 05 September 2016 16:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gofar99 is currently offline  gofar99
Messages: 1895
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Once cleaned, LPs if played on good gear and dusted with a good brush before each play should not need cleaning again for a long time (if ever). Dust, and things like cooking grease in the air are the biggest problems. Candles (and their smoke), smoking, and anything else that produces vapors can cause problems.

Static discharges are a separate issue. Dry air is a principle cause and in some parts of the world difficult to deal with. A good brush may help. I have not found things like the Zerostat to be very useful. Worse if the volume is turned up and you zap the LP anywhere near some cartridges the blast from the speakers can be quite loud.

A related issue is the use of the dust cover while playing a LP. I don't as it seems to increase static. YMMV.



Good Listening
Bruce
Re: Cleaning soap for vinyl [message #83560 is a reply to message #83391] Wed, 21 September 2016 05:40 Go to previous message
cwemoy is currently offline  cwemoy
Messages: 153
Registered: May 2016
Master
Wow, I think everyone out there normally assumes that this is a really simple task. I must admit that had I not read this, I would have done things haphazardly. Thanks for the info.
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