I have used a VPI RCM for years. It does an OK job of cleaning records and with having 1,000's of records, it saves me a lot of time and effort. I tried the wood glue cleaning method a couple of times. The first time it was on an LP which looked mint but had excessive surface noise, pops and clicks. I had used other methods over the years to no avail. The wood glue pealed off in one piece and it did help, but it didn't "fix' the record. No matter what you use to clean a record, it can't repair pressed in defects. Also it left residue. Awhile later, I tried the wood glue again. It was hard to catch an edge to peal it off. When I finally got the glue to peal, it pealed off in pieces and left residue behind. Wood glue residue is difficult to clean off. Pure alcohol and also mixed with distilled water isn't very effective and definitely leaves residue behind. Windex also leaves residue behind. The major part of Wjndex is ammonia. Alcohol is used in some record cleaning mixes as a spreader, helping the cleaning fluid to not bead up. I have read on some record cleaners that says if the cleaning solution beads up, add alcohol until it spreads evenly. Alcohol dissolves shellac so it will destroy an old 78. Great video, you are hitting the subject on the nose.
One thing that I've found works pretty well is BD Alcohol Swabs (the swabs that many people keep in their first aid kits). They're safe for use on skin so they're inert on vinyl (the fluid on them is isopropyl alcohol) and the residue dries quickly after application; just put whichever record you want to clean on your turntable, get it spinning and gently run the swab from the inside of the album (on the grooves, not on the labels) to the outside edge. after you've done one side, let it sit for a minute to dry (it doesn't take long), then flip the record over and do the other side. Also removes static.
I have and would never have considered any of the methods you mentioned . You have confirmed what I have always believed when it comes to record cleaning. I grew up with Vinyl and have always used a proper solution with a proper record cleaning cloth. I find your videos very good.
I use 90% distilled water, 10% isopropyl alcohol (90%) a few drops dishwashing fluid and a drop or two of Jet Dry. Spray on wipe off, clean with a rag soaked in distilled water. Seems to work for me.
Same here. After spraying and wiping that solution, I spray it with a good blast of distilled water, then wipe that. It makes sense that any trace of alcohol should be removed, with a good rinse of water.
@@christophermcgorey694 you obviously don’t understand evaporation rates of liquids. IPA will evaporate much quicker than water, distilled, de-ionised or regular tap water.
@@jamieokane989 Yes I do understand that. But yeah, I mis-stated a bit -- what I meant was that the water should remove any residue from the solution of alcohol / water / dishwashing fluid. Does that fact that alcohol is part of that solution mean that the water rinse isn't necessary, because the alcohol will make that evaporate? Or is the rinse needed, just to make sure there's no soap residue? I don't know...but I'm sure it doesn't hurt to do it, to be on the safe side.
I've been doing this for over 50 years. After experimenting with many different ways, I now have the best sounding records I have ever had. Many of my records play with zero clicks or pops . I use L'Art du Son solution and a Moth Vacuum RCM.
Wood glue method works well but I think it's critical to use the right glue. When I first looked into this several years ago most users were adamant that the ONLY glue they would recommend is Titebond 2. That's the only one I've used and have had brilliant results. Always peels off easily in one piece and has transformed many crackly records to as new condition (or certainly a vast improvement). I only use this method on records that look good to the eye but are still crackly after the usual cleaning/washing methods. So it's basically a last resort and I have only ever needed to use this on 2nd hand records I have purchased. So it's not intended as a regular care routine but I have absolutely had some fantastic results.
It's the additives in the glue. Titebond II is perfect as it doesn't include anything that would bond with any lacquer or record material. It's pretty 'pure' which makes it really good in general as a wood glue, perfect for record cleaning, but also not THE best wood glue for actually gluing wood hilariously.
Titebond II is the go to. Even then you might get a bit behind and have to redo it. But I've got a VPI wet vac and still have to go to the glue for intractably noisy vinyl.
For really dirty LP's that I can tell are not scratched (as I may find from time to time at garage sales), I have used a soft sponge, hot water (yes, tap water) and Ivory Liquid Dish Soap. I always clean in a circular motion in the direction of the grooves and then rinse with distilled water. Then, going in a circular direction, I dry the records on not one, but two very soft towels. This gets them very dry, but I let then continue to let them air dry for an hour or two just suspended by the spindle. If I can ever afford a Record Cleaning Machine like the Humming Guru, I will.
I used wood glue on LP's I bought from charity places etc. A particular glue was recommended online at the forum I was on (Tilebond II) and it was easy to apply using an old turntable that didn't work but meant I could sit the vinyl on the latter and turn it by hand. I would smooth the glue using a silicone spatula type thing. Left for a few hours, the glue would set and it ALWAYS came off in one piece. Then I would clean the record in my discwasher to remove any residue that might have been left behind (didn't see any but may as well assume it is there). Only ever used the wood glue method to get the vinyl clean at the start, never used it again on the same piece of vinyl once I was satisfied it was as clean as it could be.
When I find a used in good condition but excessively dirty, I use a label protecting clamp, extremely diluted “Dawn” dish soap, new, microfiber towel, Spin Clean, final distilled water rinse via large spray bottle. Attach record label protecting clamp Rinse vinyl under tap to remove surface crud Use “virgin” microfiber towel dipped in a solution of 16oz water with two drops of Dawn Lightly clean both sides of disk with microfiber towel Rinse in tap water Run through Spin Clean (distilled water used to mix Spin Clean solution) Final rinse by saturating record using a spray bottle filled with distilled water Note: I started cleaning with only using Spin Clean. The solution leaves a film that I believe needs to be removed (via distilled water spray rinse). I did my own A/B testing and rinsed was quieter. - Static noise is always a problem and static electricity causes dust in the air to find its way to your vinyl. I’m curious how others contend with it (I have my own method).
I like the *acetone and steel wool* method for cleaning records. Guaranteed to leave your record smooth as a baby's bottom. For stubborn grooves, 80 grit sandpaper. _On a serious note,_ there's some adhesive type cleaners either on a roller or like the goop kids play with (Pro-Ject makes some) that _can_ remove deeply embedded crud. But _all_ adhesive type cleaners (including the gel for stylus cleaning) will leave a residue. If you do this you should have some sort of rinse afterwards - or just avoid entirely. Too many _inexpensive_ methods that work. There's a _new_ video from a stereo shop on cleaning records, the guy actually brushes from the center out. Ugh. Avoid alcohol and ammonia for sure. Some like a tiny bit of alcohol for ultrasonic, but there's no reason for it at all. Warm distilled water and ultrasonic is all you need. I survived for decades with a DiscWasher (Groove Washer).
Haha! Restored back to the original black acetate? 🤪 I tried those goop things once, definitely noticed a residue after. Agreed on high alcohol. I love the GrooveWasher stuff
In the U.K. I can happily recommend Mr Muscle window cleaner in tap water. I use a small spray bottle with a few drops of Mr M and topped up with distilled water. I buy a bottle of the water sold for use in Irons. Leaves a vinyl album mega clean and shiny. I used to use this same solution to clean my motor cycle helmet visors, and sunglasses too. It really does an excellent job and I won’t be convinced otherwise. I don’t think!
Your recommendations make sense, but I've had great success with the Elmer's Glue treatment, especially for very dirty discs (think 1970s college dorm). I'm not talking WoodBond or any waterproof glue, just the school grade water based white stuff will do. The secret is to use PLENTY OF IT so it peels off completely without fragmenting and leaving thin patches behind, and use a ZeroStat to neutralize static that inevitably results when peeling. Apply the glue with a plastic putty knife while the disc lies flat, gently working the glue into the grooves. Avoid the exit band near the label but go all the way out to the lead-in edge; this is where you'll start to peel it off (rake against the edge with your fingernails or plastic straightedge) when COMPLETELY dry (sometimes longer than overnight). If you use enough, it will peel easily and lift all dirt out of the grooves. Unfortunately nothing will fix scratches and gouges. The problem with using solvents (yes, distilled water is also a solvent) is that even if the grime gets dissolved or unstuck, it must be completely flushed before drying, and nothing short of sufficient solvent pressure will do that. If you're absolutely sure your microfiber towel is dust free, then have at it. Short of doing all this in an ISO class 5 clean room, the glue method works best, IMO.
@@geneobrien8907 I have, and there is none. The casien glue is very cohesive and pulls up any free dust. The caveat is to apply it thick enough so it doesn't miss any spots due to air bubbles and so it won't fragment when removing it; any fragments left behind from applying it too thin will hold on tenaciously due to static even if they are freed from the grooves.
I bought a radio station’s library in the late 80’s In that collection were some very rare promotional only live radio shows. Many were unplayable do to some type of liquid spills that had dried on the playing surfaces and were not removable by recommended methods . The wood glue method was the only technique that removed the liquid that was embedded in the grooves. Yes it was time consuming but I sold them on eBay and made over $ 12,000 . Not one was damaged and had zero returns from my on line auction . Following science does have its advantage Wood glue is the exact chemical make up as vinyl records
Wood glue is PVA, Records are PVC, and a lot of records are covered in Lacquer. PVA will stick to NEITHER of those. That's actually the benefit, PVC(Records) is harder and doesn't get stuck to by PVA so when you peel them apart you know they will come apart as long as you use a glue that doesn't contain many additives.
I can see the reasoning for keeping formulas secret. As close as I've seen to an actual list is MoFi, and they simply say _distilled water,_ which is more than anybody else. As @LatinRiceTV says, make your own. Also, visiting forums to see what people have had success with on a given method can be helpful.
Using PVC (polyvinyl chloride) yellow wood glue is important. Do not use PVA white wood glue. PVC is a primary component of vinyl records, so its similarity works well as long as you allow the time-consuming drying to take effect. If you peel too soon, leaving moist glue behind, you can simply do it again and re-peel when properly dried. I’ve used it on many older records and it does a remarkable job on most deep groove dirt. It also does a nice job of restoring the sheen of the vinyl LP. On newer records I use home-made solution of Distilled water with a bit of 99% isopropyl alcohol plus a couple drops of Kodak photo-flo 200 (available from any professional photo shop) as a surfactant. It’s pretty much the same formulation as most commercial cleaners for a fraction of the price.
Interesting video. I agree with all your suggestions. Regarding the PVC wood glue I also agree however, I have used some proprietary record cleaning “goop” products that work in a similar way and been very happy with them. The 2 products I’ve tried are from Record Revirginizer and Vinyl Record Cleaning Company. They have some advantages in “deep cleaning” and effective elimination of static but as you say it’s a slow process. Usually means treating a few records at a time and allowing to dry. I’ve had no issues in completely removing the dried film with these products. I now use a Humminguru ultrasonicator for standard cleans but for really baked on grime or serious mould issues these goops are more effective (Spin clean works well as a pretreatment too).
I am one to clean my vinyl LPs using dish soap. The reason why is this: dish soap cleans the very set in debris from deep in the groove easily. My logic is we use dish soap the clean items we eat from. The soap rinses off of the plates, glasses, and utensils easily. Hence why I clean LPs with it. But then, I give the record a session in the Spin Clean using distilled water and the recommended Spin Clean fluid. I've had this method for years now, and I've not noticed any ill results from the LPs in my collection. Of not to mention here is I may purchase a second Spin Clean, and give the dirty LPs a bath in TergiKleen and again distilled water. After that through the Spin Clean and standard fluid. On this my mind is not all the way made up as of yet.
I do thousand of Vinyl Albums Archiving and remastering. I Use "Wet Playback" method using two tonearm brushes. (like Lenco Clean and others) I Do not Recommend of using the "Lenco Clean" or similar material as it leaves residue and force you to use wet playback forever. I Use my "Own Recepy" Cleaning liquid. My Liquid is made of a mixture of: 50% of A. 70% Alcohol and 50% of B. Purified Water (as used for Ironing and such). I spray the whole record surface using an emptied "Windex" bottle. At end of Playback I clean the extra residue using a paper towel that "sucks" the material with any dirt residue is any, Most of the dirt is picked up by the brushes during playback. I find this method very effective for my needs. I Own about 4000 LPs and have no issue using this method for many many years. The Added water keeps the liquid to stay within the grove and not evaporated, as well as reduce the amount of alcohol to apx. 1/3 of the liquid content. Thank you for bringing up this topic.
Good video , I did try wood glue , I never played the record as it left bits of the glue stuck on the record nope or cleaning fluids . I used Groovinator with Purified water after using the Pro-ject VS2 brilliant machine !
@@soundmatters It's a gel specifically designed for cleaning vinyl, takes a while to dry but it has no harmful chemicals and does not smell. There are others but I find Winyl does a great job especially on rare or expensive records.
Wood glue method does work. But it's not cost effective. Best reserved for the dirtiest of old records to clean once to start revitalizing a cherished disc. Isopropyl alcohol is necessary for certain record cleaning formulas, ask the BBC, CBC, or professional archivists. IA with surfactants and detergents in a formula do work well and it's a part of many cleaners. The ratios of all ingredients need to be correct however and used appropriately for vinyl discs only. Distilled water only never tap water.
I've used wood glue on occasion, but YES, with roached records. It's good for those rare records you find in some basement-bin with all sorts of grime. I would never use it on something that didn't need serious help.
Isopropyl Alcohol is great for discs like CD, DVDs, Blu Rays 2K or 4K, and disc-based software/video games that are naturally digital. Also great for cartages rather than blowing your carbon dioxide all over it. I did have doubts about Vinyl and tapes so that's for this info.
91% Isopropyl alcohol - 20% + distilled water - 80%. I've been using this formula for years and haven't seen any negative results. The alcohol isn't for cleaning.... it's for helping the water evaporate. I also use "canned air" before and after..... a good method for removing contaminates without touching. I also blast air into the anti-static sleeves I replace into every record I own. Put records back into their sleeves as soon as they've finished playing..... don't leave them on the turntable - even with the dust cover closed. And CLEAN YOUR PLATTER.
There is one instance in which I think it is appropriate to use Windex, and that is if you have an acetate record covered with Palmitic Acid (the white powdery stuff that is sometimes found on acetates). Ammonium Hydroxide, which is found in Windex, is a recommended cleaning agent for palmitic acid. Of course, after cleaning with Windex, a rinse with distilled water is probably a good idea.
I've been collecting music in all formats since 1971 aged 10. I have never used any snake oil gunk or overpriced gizmos that melt suck or bombard any disc. A simple basic care routine, careful handling and correct storage is all that's required.
It's mostly when buying used records I need to perform excessive cleaning, though I do find new records benefit for a light clean. Sadly, not everyone cared about their records as much as we do. Happy spinning
i just rinse them under a cold tap, rub them with sponge (wet) with a little bit of regular dishwasher detergent. Then with a soft brush I get into the groove before rinsing again under cold water. Labels get wet, NOT brushed. Dry right away with microfiber cloths and I might use a hairdryer at responsable distance to dry labels. Never had any trouble: They end up free of fingerprints and dirt and they're free of static if you dry them properly.
Hi. Thanks for that. Any ideas on how to clean labels? I’ve cleaned the vinyl on my recently flood drowned collection but the labels smell. I though maybe glen20 or a disinfectant but maybe vinegar would be better as I used it successfully on mould in the house or would alcohol be best?
What's on the labels exactly? You can give them a light wipe with record cleaning fluid, but don't over saturate them, or you may damage the label print.
I've been making my own cleaning fluid for several years now, after doing quite a bit of research online into various homemade fluid recipes, pros and cons of different ingredients etc. I've settled on a solution consisting of 8 oz of distilled water with 1 oz of isopropyl alcohol and one single drop of original Dove dishwashing liquid to serve mainly as a surfactant, in theory allowing the water to penetrate further into the grooves. I figure if Dove is gentle and effective enough to remove crude oil from Marine wildlife, it's probably safe enough for my vinyl. The addition of the alcohol seems to work better on oily residues and fingerprints than plain water. I use microfiber brushes and cloths for the cleaning rinsing and drying. I've only ever done the wood glue thing once out of curiosity. It was a severely scratched copy of the Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore East that was unplayable. The wood glue method did improve things, but not to the point of making the record playable again. I don't think I would try this method on any record that wasn't otherwise a complete loss. Ended up turning that record into a bowl, LOL.
Over 30 years ago there was a clear liquid plastic fluid that you applied and then peeled off in the same way as wood glue. It didn't work and left residue on your stylus tip.
@Sound Matters Actually it was very easy to apply and you just left it to dry and simply peeled it off the record. It wasn't thick like wood glue. It was translucent and easily removed. Trouble is it left micro residue on your stylus in the form of fine plastic dust. Seen it recently reintroduced on the back of the wood glue craze.
I have used it for really bad records and its PVA water base glue, it is what should be used if you go down that road.I have never had any residue glue, left in the grooves it peels off easily.
I’ve been using wood glue for 40+ years doesn’t make me cringe, makes me smile. It’s the best cleaning solution out there without using solution. From records dating in the 50s to Dick Shorey Supercussion (circa1963) that was full of pops and crackles and snaps - post wood glue treatment the vinyl sounds absolutely pristine like the day It came off of the press. Don’t cringe, smile!!!
I always preferred to stay away from wet cleaning my records. I had tried through the years home made remedies but found it may had been too much cleaning and I could not hear any discernable improvement in sound. In fact I worried some about sound degradation. My records are clean, so dry cleaning I find is best for my needs. (P.S. read article about bloke who cleaned record on a machine. He regretted it. So, think before you act).
Warm water and Dawn dish liquid. Vinyl is plastic! It can handle a sturdy scrubbing. Just go with the grooves in a circle. Rinse with water right from the tap being careful not to get the paper inner label wet. Dry in a circular motion with soft dry cloth. I think people are over thinking this stuff.
It contains laboratory grade water that's double deionized, carbon filtered and UV treated. There are also surfactants, emulsifiers, and a wetting agent. All the ingredients are biodegradable according to GrooveWasher
GrooveWasher record cleaning fluid. And combination of ProJect’s vacuum record cleaner and an Ultrasonic record cleaning machine. Lots of videos on the channel on record cleaning. Happy spinning 🎶🎧
If you use dish washing liquid use the cheap supermarket one as it contains less salt, was told this by the hospital to clean my medical equipment at home
there is no experts on this topic. to make the issue even more complicated the vinyl or rather pvc our records are made of differs in composition from maker to maker, each had there special secret blend/ingridiens - so the vinyl is mostly of a very different composition from one record to another. the national museum in denmarks preservatist team have an ongoing resarch into how to clean and preserve pvc objects that havent yet come up with a fireproof solution. our records does as any pvc contain oils and other elements that over time evaporates or can be removed by cleaning from the surface and can eventually leave the records dry and brittle and on the way to decompose. the answer - hmm i wish i knew, demineralised water seems as neutral as it gets but you need to put something in the water to break surface tension for it to work - that is what the dishwash is mostly - you can buy dedicated and more clean dedicated surface tension breakers. personally i have records i bought in the early 70ties wich does not have any sign of problems though i have washed them gently with a demineralised water/very thinned dishsoap solution 3 or 4 times over the last 50 years - is that a garanty for the safety of that practise ? no. i think that the best practice is to be absolutely anal (;-)) in keeping your records and everything that comes into contact with them laboratory standart clean every time they are out for a spin even before they are put away. that means also needle, turntable mat and the cover you put them away in., and wet clean very very rarely. and keep those greasy paws away ;-)
We use lab grade 99.9 percent isopropyl alcohol as a mixing agent for our Vinyl Hush formula as archive grade surfactants and anti static agents will not bond without it. But as a standalone cleaning agent , isopropyl alcohol in water is way too harsh and ineffective.
Very good, sound advice. 3:24 Window cleaners may contain ammonia. Ammonia and alcohol (7:05) can corrupt a vinyl surface, ammonia much more so than alcohol. Test this at your (beloved vinyl products') peril. I have. You don't want that feeling.
There’s lots of record cleaning videos on the channel. I like the GrooveWasher fluids a lot. Plus a combination of VCM machine and an ultrasonic. For clarification, I don’t say avoid iso-alcohol, just that either low-zero is best (depending on how worried you are about the potential downsides of alcohol on records). But that’s just my view. You do what works for you. Happy spinning
The best advice is just do your own research and use dollar bun records as the guinea pigs. If you buy a cleaning product, try to see what ingredients are in it. If they're not listed, then you probably don't wanna use it since you don't how exactly it can react to your vinyl.
Isopropanol, Alcohol is only harmful on vinyl if used neat,60/40 is fine with 40% being deionised water ,40years of collecting and cleaning has only messed up one record because I used it neat ,All the best a big collector 👍🍀🇬🇧
@@soundmatters distilled water,2.5 litres and 99% isopropanol @1 litre work's well ,cheap as chips,last forever,And for cleaning surfaces germ free ,plus electric switches ect (best a bit stronger) also laminated covers that are dirty , always lighter fuel for sticky labels, happy hunting 👍🇬🇧🍀
I disagree on not using filtered water for 2 reasons: 1. Where I live the tap water is very soft with only the slightest mineral taste and 2. I use a heavy-duty water filter that can even make mineral and germ-filled water taste like nothing unlike those basic filters you have to constantly replace that only work on drinkable water. I have had no issues with it on my vinyl and shellac records alike.
Also, I mix the isopropyl alcohol with water, something that people don’t usually consider. Haven’t tried the wood glue process yet, but a DJ friend of mine has and had amazing success with it (he was able to get a well used and abused Dee Dee Sharp single from thrashed to very reasonable audio.)
It’s interesting that nowadays people are so picky with how they clean their records. My dad for example never actually cleaned his records with a fluid he just used a brush when he was younger. Nowadays we have specialty cleaning liquids and machines. That being said, I got my dads records down from the attic once and let’s just say they definitely weren’t clean
Best to find out how much alcohol, if you can. If you can smell it, it's definitely too much -- in my opinion. Spin Clean's fluid for their similar machine is alcohol-free and you can buy it separately. My go-to fluid for hand cleaning or on a vacuum record cleaning machine is GrooveWasher, as you may know from watching this channel. Happy spinning and thanks for watching!
@@soundmatters just ordered a spincare cleaning machine so I can give my records a second cleaning to make sure there is no residue and in future I am going to dilute the Knosti fluid 50/50 with distilled water. I will then do a quick rinse in distilled water just to make sure there is zero residue. I hope that I have not damaged the records that I previously cleaned as I thought it was safe but must say it does seem to work.
Dude, wood glue is a method used for years and it takes out the worst of the worst impurities from an album. As for not coming off in one piece, that’s why you peel it slowly! lol It works! It’s what many audiophiles use and how they do it. Well, before man made cleaning solutions and systems, it was the way they did it and the way many still do. So, what method do YOU use then?
Thanks for your comment. I’ve no doubt many people are happy with the results. It’s just not for me. It just seems fraught with potential issues to me and is quite laborious. Lots of record cleaning content on the channel and website.
Distilled water in a steam cleaner. Also, dawn dish detergent. Steam cleaning is perfect and will outperform any cleaner you can buy. Where exactly is the risk of Windex? 10s of thousands of people, probably millions cleaned their records with Windex back when records were the primary distribution medium for music. There is not a shred of evidence that any ingredient in Windex is harmful to records either vinyl or polystyrene. Wood glue doesn't work because it is too thick and does not get deep into the grooves. The surface tension is too high. If you don't believe me, buy a diabetic needle and just try to suck anything that thick up through the needle. Or, put it inside the syringe and try to push it out by pushing down the plunger. You cannot do it. I've seen people clean them with pledge too.
The wood glue method of cleaning a record is a terrible idea. For one thing it is messy and for another thing it is costly. As far as Windex to clean a record? I've been using it for over 40 years and have never had anything but positive results. I use a medical grade wipe and a spritz of Windex and wipe in a circular motion along the grooves. Windex cleans surface marks and finger prints and dissipates quickly. I swear by it. I have sold many thousands of records on Ebay over the last 20+ years and have never had a record returned to me for lack of a clean disc. No it won't substitute a deep cleaning method but it works fine for records that just need a light cleaning.
I entered a comment defending the wood glue method. He removed it. Rather disappointing. If you intend to comment make sure you agree with the basic premise of his video!
No comments have been removed by me. Would you like to restate it here? I know TH-cam sometimes filters some, but I'd only remove a comment if it was either spam or hateful.
@@soundmatters Oh okay. I assumed you removed it, sorry. I just mentioned that wood glue is a 'tool in the box' for really very dirty records, those that you feel just might be salvageable. I have had a few truly amazing results with wood glue and sometimes it does nothing at all. It always peels off in one go - and it is unbelievably satisfying to peel it off. I've never got glue on the label. It's very cost effective - wood glue is just PVA and you can get 5 litres of it for less than a tenner at B&Q. I don't use the method often but there have been occasions when I've felt it was possibly the only thing that may have rescued a record. I also have a 'Degritter' ultra sonic cleaner, which is amazing but I wouldn't put the very dirtiest record in it without pre-treating it somehow, sometimes with manual washing, sometimes (in the worst cases) with wood glue.
I have used a VPI RCM for years. It does an OK job of cleaning records and with having 1,000's of records, it saves me a lot of time and effort.
I tried the wood glue cleaning method a couple of times. The first time it was on an LP which looked mint but had excessive surface noise, pops and clicks. I had used other methods over the years to no avail. The wood glue pealed off in one piece and it did help, but it didn't "fix' the record. No matter what you use to clean a record, it can't repair pressed in defects. Also it left residue.
Awhile later, I tried the wood glue again. It was hard to catch an edge to peal it off. When I finally got the glue to peal, it pealed off in pieces and left residue behind. Wood glue residue is difficult to clean off.
Pure alcohol and also mixed with distilled water isn't very effective and definitely leaves residue behind. Windex also leaves residue behind. The major part of Wjndex is ammonia.
Alcohol is used in some record cleaning mixes as a spreader, helping the cleaning fluid to not bead up. I have read on some record cleaners that says if the cleaning solution beads up, add alcohol until it spreads evenly. Alcohol dissolves shellac so it will destroy an old 78.
Great video, you are hitting the subject on the nose.
One thing that I've found works pretty well is BD Alcohol Swabs (the swabs that many people keep in their first aid kits). They're safe for use on skin so they're inert on vinyl (the fluid on them is isopropyl alcohol) and the residue dries quickly after application; just put whichever record you want to clean on your turntable, get it spinning and gently run the swab from the inside of the album (on the grooves, not on the labels) to the outside edge. after you've done one side, let it sit for a minute to dry (it doesn't take long), then flip the record over and do the other side. Also removes static.
I have and would never have considered any of the methods you mentioned . You have confirmed what I have always believed when it comes to record cleaning. I grew up with Vinyl and have always used a proper solution with a proper record cleaning cloth. I find your videos very good.
What makes it proper? 😂😂😂
I use 90% distilled water, 10% isopropyl alcohol (90%) a few drops dishwashing fluid and a drop or two of Jet Dry. Spray on wipe off, clean with a rag soaked in distilled water. Seems to work for me.
Same here. After spraying and wiping that solution, I spray it with a good blast of distilled water, then wipe that. It makes sense that any trace of alcohol should be removed, with a good rinse of water.
@@christophermcgorey694 you obviously don’t understand evaporation rates of liquids. IPA will evaporate much quicker than water, distilled, de-ionised or regular tap water.
@@jamieokane989 Yes I do understand that. But yeah, I mis-stated a bit -- what I meant was that the water should remove any residue from the solution of alcohol / water / dishwashing fluid. Does that fact that alcohol is part of that solution mean that the water rinse isn't necessary, because the alcohol will make that evaporate? Or is the rinse needed, just to make sure there's no soap residue? I don't know...but I'm sure it doesn't hurt to do it, to be on the safe side.
I've been doing this for over 50 years. After experimenting with many different ways, I now have the best sounding records I have ever had. Many of my records play with zero clicks or pops . I use L'Art du Son solution and a Moth Vacuum RCM.
Wood glue method works well but I think it's critical to use the right glue. When I first looked into this several years ago most users were adamant that the ONLY glue they would recommend is Titebond 2. That's the only one I've used and have had brilliant results. Always peels off easily in one piece and has transformed many crackly records to as new condition (or certainly a vast improvement). I only use this method on records that look good to the eye but are still crackly after the usual cleaning/washing methods. So it's basically a last resort and I have only ever needed to use this on 2nd hand records I have purchased. So it's not intended as a regular care routine but I have absolutely had some fantastic results.
It's the additives in the glue. Titebond II is perfect as it doesn't include anything that would bond with any lacquer or record material. It's pretty 'pure' which makes it really good in general as a wood glue, perfect for record cleaning, but also not THE best wood glue for actually gluing wood hilariously.
Titebond II is the go to. Even then you might get a bit behind and have to redo it. But I've got a VPI wet vac and still have to go to the glue for intractably noisy vinyl.
For really dirty LP's that I can tell are not scratched (as I may find from time to time at garage sales), I have used a soft sponge, hot water (yes, tap water) and Ivory Liquid Dish Soap. I always clean in a circular motion in the direction of the grooves and then rinse with distilled water. Then, going in a circular direction, I dry the records on not one, but two very soft towels. This gets them very dry, but I let then continue to let them air dry for an hour or two just suspended by the spindle. If I can ever afford a Record Cleaning Machine like the Humming Guru, I will.
I used wood glue on LP's I bought from charity places etc. A particular glue was recommended online at the forum I was on (Tilebond II) and it was easy to apply using an old turntable that didn't work but meant I could sit the vinyl on the latter and turn it by hand. I would smooth the glue using a silicone spatula type thing. Left for a few hours, the glue would set and it ALWAYS came off in one piece. Then I would clean the record in my discwasher to remove any residue that might have been left behind (didn't see any but may as well assume it is there). Only ever used the wood glue method to get the vinyl clean at the start, never used it again on the same piece of vinyl once I was satisfied it was as clean as it could be.
When I find a used in good condition but excessively dirty, I use a label protecting clamp, extremely diluted “Dawn” dish soap, new, microfiber towel, Spin Clean, final distilled water rinse via large spray bottle.
Attach record label protecting clamp
Rinse vinyl under tap to remove surface crud
Use “virgin” microfiber towel dipped in a solution of 16oz water with two drops of Dawn
Lightly clean both sides of disk with microfiber towel
Rinse in tap water
Run through Spin Clean (distilled water used to mix Spin Clean solution)
Final rinse by saturating record using a spray bottle filled with distilled water
Note: I started cleaning with only using Spin Clean. The solution leaves a film that I believe needs to be removed (via distilled water spray rinse). I did my own A/B testing and rinsed was quieter.
- Static noise is always a problem and static electricity causes dust in the air to find its way to your vinyl. I’m curious how others contend with it (I have my own method).
I like the *acetone and steel wool* method for cleaning records. Guaranteed to leave your record smooth as a baby's bottom. For stubborn grooves, 80 grit sandpaper.
_On a serious note,_ there's some adhesive type cleaners either on a roller or like the goop kids play with (Pro-Ject makes some) that _can_ remove deeply embedded crud. But _all_ adhesive type cleaners (including the gel for stylus cleaning) will leave a residue. If you do this you should have some sort of rinse afterwards - or just avoid entirely. Too many _inexpensive_ methods that work.
There's a _new_ video from a stereo shop on cleaning records, the guy actually brushes from the center out. Ugh. Avoid alcohol and ammonia for sure. Some like a tiny bit of alcohol for ultrasonic, but there's no reason for it at all. Warm distilled water and ultrasonic is all you need. I survived for decades with a DiscWasher (Groove Washer).
Haha! Restored back to the original black acetate? 🤪
I tried those goop things once, definitely noticed a residue after. Agreed on high alcohol. I love the GrooveWasher stuff
What’s a “goop kid”?
Acetone and steel wool? Are you joking?
I use a mixture of honey and grit, with varying degrees of success.
Bwahahahahaha...
In the U.K. I can happily recommend Mr Muscle window cleaner in tap water. I use a small spray bottle with a few drops of Mr M and topped up with distilled water. I buy a bottle of the water sold for use in Irons. Leaves a vinyl album mega clean and shiny. I used to use this same solution to clean my motor cycle helmet visors, and sunglasses too. It really does an excellent job and I won’t be convinced otherwise. I don’t think!
Your recommendations make sense, but I've had great success with the Elmer's Glue treatment, especially for very dirty discs (think 1970s college dorm). I'm not talking WoodBond or any waterproof glue, just the school grade water based white stuff will do. The secret is to use PLENTY OF IT so it peels off completely without fragmenting and leaving thin patches behind, and use a ZeroStat to neutralize static that inevitably results when peeling. Apply the glue with a plastic putty knife while the disc lies flat, gently working the glue into the grooves. Avoid the exit band near the label but go all the way out to the lead-in edge; this is where you'll start to peel it off (rake against the edge with your fingernails or plastic straightedge) when COMPLETELY dry (sometimes longer than overnight). If you use enough, it will peel easily and lift all dirt out of the grooves. Unfortunately nothing will fix scratches and gouges.
The problem with using solvents (yes, distilled water is also a solvent) is that even if the grime gets dissolved or unstuck, it must be completely flushed before drying, and nothing short of sufficient solvent pressure will do that. If you're absolutely sure your microfiber towel is dust free, then have at it. Short of doing all this in an ISO class 5 clean room, the glue method works best, IMO.
Have you used a microscope to see if there's any residue left from the glue?
@@geneobrien8907 I have, and there is none. The casien glue is very cohesive and pulls up any free dust. The caveat is to apply it thick enough so it doesn't miss any spots due to air bubbles and so it won't fragment when removing it; any fragments left behind from applying it too thin will hold on tenaciously due to static even if they are freed from the grooves.
I bought a radio station’s library in the late 80’s In that collection were some very rare promotional only live radio shows. Many were unplayable do to some type of liquid spills that had dried on the playing surfaces and were not removable by recommended methods . The wood glue method was the only technique that removed the liquid that was embedded in the grooves. Yes it was time consuming but I sold them on eBay and made over $ 12,000 . Not one was damaged and had zero returns from my on line auction . Following science does have its advantage Wood glue is the exact chemical make up as vinyl records
Good to hear. I admire your patience there and I'm glad to hear you had success. What other methods did you try?
Wood glue is PVA, Records are PVC, and a lot of records are covered in Lacquer. PVA will stick to NEITHER of those. That's actually the benefit, PVC(Records) is harder and doesn't get stuck to by PVA so when you peel them apart you know they will come apart as long as you use a glue that doesn't contain many additives.
One thing that makes this hard for the consumer is that many companies do not list the ingredients for their fluids
That's why it's just better to make your own solution. At least it's pretty easy and inexpensive
I can see the reasoning for keeping formulas secret. As close as I've seen to an actual list is MoFi, and they simply say _distilled water,_ which is more than anybody else. As @LatinRiceTV says, make your own. Also, visiting forums to see what people have had success with on a given method can be helpful.
Yea, I understand why they don’t want to give away their formulas to competitors, but it’s frustrating from a consumer viewpoint
Using PVC (polyvinyl chloride) yellow wood glue is important. Do not use PVA white wood glue. PVC is a primary component of vinyl records, so its similarity works well as long as you allow the time-consuming drying to take effect. If you peel too soon, leaving moist glue behind, you can simply do it again and re-peel when properly dried. I’ve used it on many older records and it does a remarkable job on most deep groove dirt. It also does a nice job of restoring the sheen of the vinyl LP.
On newer records I use home-made solution of Distilled water with a bit of 99% isopropyl alcohol plus a couple drops of Kodak photo-flo 200 (available from any professional photo shop) as a surfactant. It’s pretty much the same formulation as most commercial cleaners for a fraction of the price.
Interesting video. I agree with all your suggestions. Regarding the PVC wood glue I also agree however, I have used some proprietary record cleaning “goop” products that work in a similar way and been very happy with them. The 2 products I’ve tried are from Record Revirginizer and Vinyl Record Cleaning Company. They have some advantages in “deep cleaning” and effective elimination of static but as you say it’s a slow process. Usually means treating a few records at a time and allowing to dry. I’ve had no issues in completely removing the dried film with these products. I now use a Humminguru ultrasonicator for standard cleans but for really baked on grime or serious mould issues these goops are more effective (Spin clean works well as a pretreatment too).
Thanks for watching. Sounds logical. I‘ve not come across the purpose-made record goops, I’ll have to check those out.
I am one to clean my vinyl LPs using dish soap. The reason why is this: dish soap cleans the very set in debris from deep in the groove easily. My logic is we use dish soap the clean items we eat from. The soap rinses off of the plates, glasses, and utensils easily. Hence why I clean LPs with it. But then, I give the record a session in the Spin Clean using distilled water and the recommended Spin Clean fluid. I've had this method for years now, and I've not noticed any ill results from the LPs in my collection.
Of not to mention here is I may purchase a second Spin Clean, and give the dirty LPs a bath in TergiKleen and again distilled water. After that through the Spin Clean and standard fluid. On this my mind is not all the way made up as of yet.
G3 by Groove Washer is better than TergiKleen, I have used both.
@geneobrien8907 Thank You for letting me know about G3.
I do thousand of Vinyl Albums Archiving and remastering.
I Use "Wet Playback" method using two tonearm brushes. (like Lenco Clean and others)
I Do not Recommend of using the "Lenco Clean" or similar material as it leaves residue and force you to use wet playback forever.
I Use my "Own Recepy" Cleaning liquid.
My Liquid is made of a mixture of: 50% of A. 70% Alcohol and 50% of B. Purified Water (as used for Ironing and such).
I spray the whole record surface using an emptied "Windex" bottle.
At end of Playback I clean the extra residue using a paper towel that "sucks" the material with any dirt residue is any,
Most of the dirt is picked up by the brushes during playback.
I find this method very effective for my needs.
I Own about 4000 LPs and have no issue using this method for many many years.
The Added water keeps the liquid to stay within the grove and not evaporated, as well as reduce the amount of alcohol to apx. 1/3 of the liquid content.
Thank you for bringing up this topic.
Good video , I did try wood glue , I never played the record as it left bits of the glue stuck on the record nope or cleaning fluids .
I used Groovinator with Purified water after using the Pro-ject VS2 brilliant machine !
Thanks for watching! Happy spinning. Yep - the Pro-Ject machine is great
Winyl pro record cleaning gel (yes vinyl with a W) to deep clean and a Clearaudio Matrix RCM for normal cleaning works every time for me.
Winyl - haha! Love that. I'll look it up
@@soundmatters It's a gel specifically designed for cleaning vinyl, takes a while to dry but it has no harmful chemicals and does not smell. There are others but I find Winyl does a great job especially on rare or expensive records.
Wood glue method does work. But it's not cost effective. Best reserved for the dirtiest of old records to clean once to start revitalizing a cherished disc.
Isopropyl alcohol is necessary for certain record cleaning formulas, ask the BBC, CBC, or professional archivists. IA with surfactants and detergents in a formula do work well and it's a part of many cleaners. The ratios of all ingredients need to be correct however and used appropriately for vinyl discs only.
Distilled water only never tap water.
I've used wood glue on occasion, but YES, with roached records. It's good for those rare records you find in some basement-bin with all sorts of grime. I would never use it on something that didn't need serious help.
Isopropyl Alcohol is great for discs like CD, DVDs, Blu Rays 2K or 4K, and disc-based software/video games that are naturally digital. Also great for cartages rather than blowing your carbon dioxide all over it. I did have doubts about Vinyl and tapes so that's for this info.
91% Isopropyl alcohol - 20% + distilled water - 80%. I've been using this formula for years and haven't seen any negative results. The alcohol isn't for cleaning.... it's for helping the water evaporate. I also use "canned air" before and after..... a good method for removing contaminates without touching. I also blast air into the anti-static sleeves I replace into every record I own. Put records back into their sleeves as soon as they've finished playing..... don't leave them on the turntable - even with the dust cover closed. And CLEAN YOUR PLATTER.
So which one is better cleaning with ultrasonic or machine like VPI ? Which one is more efective
There is one instance in which I think it is appropriate to use Windex, and that is if you have an acetate record covered with Palmitic Acid (the white powdery stuff that is sometimes found on acetates). Ammonium Hydroxide, which is found in Windex, is a recommended cleaning agent for palmitic acid. Of course, after cleaning with Windex, a rinse with distilled water is probably a good idea.
Interesting. Thanks for the addition - sounds logical. Agree on the distilled water after. Happy spinning
I've been collecting music in all formats since 1971 aged 10. I have never used any snake oil gunk or overpriced gizmos that melt suck or bombard any disc. A simple basic care routine, careful handling and correct storage is all that's required.
Same here.
It's mostly when buying used records I need to perform excessive cleaning, though I do find new records benefit for a light clean. Sadly, not everyone cared about their records as much as we do. Happy spinning
I've successfully used wood glue to remove paint from a Big Mama Thornton 78. (Only safe for post war 78s, not shellac ones!)@@soundmatters
i just rinse them under a cold tap, rub them with sponge (wet) with a little bit of regular dishwasher detergent. Then with a soft brush I get into the groove before rinsing again under cold water. Labels get wet, NOT brushed. Dry right away with microfiber cloths and I might use a hairdryer at responsable distance to dry labels. Never had any trouble: They end up free of fingerprints and dirt and they're free of static if you dry them properly.
Hi. Thanks for that. Any ideas on how to clean labels? I’ve cleaned the vinyl on my recently flood drowned collection but the labels smell. I though maybe glen20 or a disinfectant but maybe vinegar would be better as I used it successfully on mould in the house or would alcohol be best?
What's on the labels exactly? You can give them a light wipe with record cleaning fluid, but don't over saturate them, or you may damage the label print.
Question, how about ball point pen on the actual vinyl? How would you go about removing that?
Where'd you get that light that you use above your record player?
Hey Daniel. It's an UberLight Flex - you can get them on Amazon. Here's an affiliate link if you wanted to check it out:
geni.us/uberlightflex
Great stuff again, I was looking at the HumminGuru. Did you do a review ? Aloha
Thanks for watching. Yes indeed: full review and video here: www.yoursoundmatters.com/humminguru-review-ultrasonic-record-cleaning/
Just watched, thank you !!!!!! Excellent information.
I've been making my own cleaning fluid for several years now, after doing quite a bit of research online into various homemade fluid recipes, pros and cons of different ingredients etc. I've settled on a solution consisting of 8 oz of distilled water with 1 oz of isopropyl alcohol and one single drop of original Dove dishwashing liquid to serve mainly as a surfactant, in theory allowing the water to penetrate further into the grooves. I figure if Dove is gentle and effective enough to remove crude oil from Marine wildlife, it's probably safe enough for my vinyl. The addition of the alcohol seems to work better on oily residues and fingerprints than plain water. I use microfiber brushes and cloths for the cleaning rinsing and drying. I've only ever done the wood glue thing once out of curiosity. It was a severely scratched copy of the Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore East that was unplayable. The wood glue method did improve things, but not to the point of making the record playable again. I don't think I would try this method on any record that wasn't otherwise a complete loss. Ended up turning that record into a bowl, LOL.
Over 30 years ago there was a clear liquid plastic fluid that you applied and then peeled off in the same way as wood glue. It didn't work and left residue on your stylus tip.
Damn, sounds risky!
@Sound Matters Actually it was very easy to apply and you just left it to dry and simply peeled it off the record. It wasn't thick like wood glue. It was translucent and easily removed. Trouble is it left micro residue on your stylus in the form of fine plastic dust. Seen it recently reintroduced on the back of the wood glue craze.
My go to is Armor All Auto cleaner, works!
It's a right palava these days cleaning records I remember when I was growing up we never clean the records we just put the record on and Rocked out
I have used it for really bad records and its PVA water base glue, it is what should be used if you go down that road.I have never had any residue glue, left in the grooves it peels off easily.
I’ve been using wood glue for 40+ years doesn’t make me cringe, makes me smile. It’s the best cleaning solution out there without using solution. From records dating in the 50s to Dick Shorey Supercussion (circa1963) that was full of pops and crackles and snaps - post wood glue treatment the vinyl sounds absolutely pristine like the day It came off of the press. Don’t cringe, smile!!!
gotta love the heavy horses record on the wall ;)
Great album!
I use spin doctor works great then I rinse with distilled water
Nice! Happy spinning
Laser Media VNC 8 (Amazon) no alcohol no ammonia mofi pad and high grade microfiber cloth. Distilled water for touch up
hi, then from this six methods which one is the best ?
I always preferred to stay away from wet cleaning my records. I had tried through the years home made remedies but found it may had been too much cleaning and I could not hear any discernable improvement in sound. In fact I worried some about sound degradation. My records are clean, so dry cleaning I find is best for my needs. (P.S. read article about bloke who cleaned record on a machine. He regretted it. So, think before you act).
Warm water and Dawn dish liquid. Vinyl is plastic! It can handle a sturdy scrubbing. Just go with the grooves in a circle. Rinse with water right from the tap being careful not to get the paper inner label wet. Dry in a circular motion with soft dry cloth. I think people are over thinking this stuff.
Is GrooveWasher G2 fluid solvent-free?
It contains laboratory grade water that's double deionized, carbon filtered and UV treated. There are also surfactants, emulsifiers, and a wetting agent. All the ingredients are biodegradable according to GrooveWasher
So if you don’t use any of these methods, what do you use to wet clean records?
GrooveWasher record cleaning fluid. And combination of ProJect’s vacuum record cleaner and an Ultrasonic record cleaning machine. Lots of videos on the channel on record cleaning. Happy spinning 🎶🎧
If you use dish washing liquid use the cheap supermarket one as it contains less salt, was told this by the hospital to clean my medical equipment at home
thanks for the tip'
there is no experts on this topic. to make the issue even more complicated the vinyl or rather pvc our records are made of differs in composition from maker to maker, each had there special secret blend/ingridiens - so the vinyl is mostly of a very different composition from one record to another. the national museum in denmarks preservatist team have an ongoing resarch into how to clean and preserve pvc objects that havent yet come up with a fireproof solution. our records does as any pvc contain oils and other elements that over time evaporates or can be removed by cleaning from the surface and can eventually leave the records dry and brittle and on the way to decompose. the answer - hmm i wish i knew, demineralised water seems as neutral as it gets but you need to put something in the water to break surface tension for it to work - that is what the dishwash is mostly - you can buy dedicated and more clean dedicated surface tension breakers. personally i have records i bought in the early 70ties wich does not have any sign of problems though i have washed them gently with a demineralised water/very thinned dishsoap solution 3 or 4 times over the last 50 years - is that a garanty for the safety of that practise ? no. i think that the best practice is to be absolutely anal (;-)) in keeping your records and everything that comes into contact with them laboratory standart clean every time they are out for a spin even before they are put away. that means also needle, turntable mat and the cover you put them away in., and wet clean very very rarely. and keep those greasy paws away ;-)
Thanks for this. Agreed, there’s likely no perfect answer. Minimising the amount of required cleaning is good advice.
We use lab grade 99.9 percent isopropyl alcohol as a mixing agent for our Vinyl Hush formula as archive grade surfactants and anti static agents will not bond without it. But as a standalone cleaning agent , isopropyl alcohol in water is way too harsh and ineffective.
Very good, sound advice.
3:24 Window cleaners may contain ammonia. Ammonia and alcohol (7:05) can corrupt a vinyl surface, ammonia much more so than alcohol. Test this at your (beloved vinyl products') peril. I have. You don't want that feeling.
Hi. You talk about How NOT to clean record and mention no alcohol, then. What do you propose?
There’s lots of record cleaning videos on the channel. I like the GrooveWasher fluids a lot. Plus a combination of VCM machine and an ultrasonic. For clarification, I don’t say avoid iso-alcohol, just that either low-zero is best (depending on how worried you are about the potential downsides of alcohol on records).
But that’s just my view. You do what works for you. Happy spinning
@@soundmatters Got it ;) Thanks!
The best advice is just do your own research and use dollar bun records as the guinea pigs. If you buy a cleaning product, try to see what ingredients are in it. If they're not listed, then you probably don't wanna use it since you don't how exactly it can react to your vinyl.
Isopropanol, Alcohol is only harmful on vinyl if used neat,60/40 is fine with 40% being deionised water ,40years of collecting and cleaning has only messed up one record because I used it neat ,All the best a big collector 👍🍀🇬🇧
Yea, my main worry with Iso is in large quantities, for sure. Thanks for watching and happy spinning
@@soundmatters distilled water,2.5 litres and 99% isopropanol @1 litre work's well ,cheap as chips,last forever,And for cleaning surfaces germ free ,plus electric switches ect (best a bit stronger) also laminated covers that are dirty , always lighter fuel for sticky labels, happy hunting 👍🇬🇧🍀
I disagree on not using filtered water for 2 reasons: 1. Where I live the tap water is very soft with only the slightest mineral taste and 2. I use a heavy-duty water filter that can even make mineral and germ-filled water taste like nothing unlike those basic filters you have to constantly replace that only work on drinkable water. I have had no issues with it on my vinyl and shellac records alike.
I don't use it, but if you use Windex, you're supposed to use the clear kind.
Less unnecessary additives I suppose.
I’ve used tap water with great and varied levels of success….then again, I’m across the street from a water plant, too, so….
Also, I mix the isopropyl alcohol with water, something that people don’t usually consider. Haven’t tried the wood glue process yet, but a DJ friend of mine has and had amazing success with it (he was able to get a well used and abused Dee Dee Sharp single from thrashed to very reasonable audio.)
It’s interesting that nowadays people are so picky with how they clean their records. My dad for example never actually cleaned his records with a fluid he just used a brush when he was younger. Nowadays we have specialty cleaning liquids and machines. That being said, I got my dads records down from the attic once and let’s just say they definitely weren’t clean
I have been using the Knosti machine with its own fluid but I think it’s got alcohol in it so after watching this I am going to be paranoid.
Best to find out how much alcohol, if you can. If you can smell it, it's definitely too much -- in my opinion. Spin Clean's fluid for their similar machine is alcohol-free and you can buy it separately. My go-to fluid for hand cleaning or on a vacuum record cleaning machine is GrooveWasher, as you may know from watching this channel. Happy spinning and thanks for watching!
@@soundmatters just ordered a spincare cleaning machine so I can give my records a second cleaning to make sure there is no residue and in future I am going to dilute the Knosti fluid 50/50 with distilled water. I will then do a quick rinse in distilled water just to make sure there is zero residue. I hope that I have not damaged the records that I previously cleaned as I thought it was safe but must say it does seem to work.
Dude, wood glue is a method used for years and it takes out the worst of the worst impurities from an album. As for not coming off in one piece, that’s why you peel it slowly! lol It works! It’s what many audiophiles use and how they do it. Well, before man made cleaning solutions and systems, it was the way they did it and the way many still do.
So, what method do YOU use then?
Thanks for your comment. I’ve no doubt many people are happy with the results. It’s just not for me. It just seems fraught with potential issues to me and is quite laborious. Lots of record cleaning content on the channel and website.
So AJAX spray and wipe is out then...
Spin clean and Record doctor. That's all I use.
Record Doctor I would trust. Happy spinning - alcohol free too, I believe.
💯
Can't image using a film of wood glue on a record.
It's not for me, that's for sure. Happy spinning!
Distilled water in a steam cleaner. Also, dawn dish detergent. Steam cleaning is perfect and will outperform any cleaner you can buy.
Where exactly is the risk of Windex? 10s of thousands of people, probably millions cleaned their records with Windex back when records were the primary distribution medium for music. There is not a shred of evidence that any ingredient in Windex is harmful to records either vinyl or polystyrene.
Wood glue doesn't work because it is too thick and does not get deep into the grooves. The surface tension is too high. If you don't believe me, buy a diabetic needle and just try to suck anything that thick up through the needle. Or, put it inside the syringe and try to push it out by pushing down the plunger. You cannot do it.
I've seen people clean them with pledge too.
Don’t use cheap wood glue ….. i use gorrila or evo stick and I’ve saved many a binned item
The wood glue method of cleaning a record is a terrible idea. For one thing it is messy and for another thing it is costly. As far as Windex to clean a record? I've been using it for over 40 years and have never had anything but positive results. I use a medical grade wipe and a spritz of Windex and wipe in a circular motion along the grooves. Windex cleans surface marks and finger prints and dissipates quickly. I swear by it. I have sold many thousands of records on Ebay over the last 20+ years and have never had a record returned to me for lack of a clean disc. No it won't substitute a deep cleaning method but it works fine for records that just need a light cleaning.
I entered a comment defending the wood glue method. He removed it. Rather disappointing. If you intend to comment make sure you agree with the basic premise of his video!
No comments have been removed by me. Would you like to restate it here? I know TH-cam sometimes filters some, but I'd only remove a comment if it was either spam or hateful.
@@soundmatters Oh okay. I assumed you removed it, sorry. I just mentioned that wood glue is a 'tool in the box' for really very dirty records, those that you feel just might be salvageable. I have had a few truly amazing results with wood glue and sometimes it does nothing at all. It always peels off in one go - and it is unbelievably satisfying to peel it off. I've never got glue on the label. It's very cost effective - wood glue is just PVA and you can get 5 litres of it for less than a tenner at B&Q. I don't use the method often but there have been occasions when I've felt it was possibly the only thing that may have rescued a record. I also have a 'Degritter' ultra sonic cleaner, which is amazing but I wouldn't put the very dirtiest record in it without pre-treating it somehow, sometimes with manual washing, sometimes (in the worst cases) with wood glue.
WD40. you can thank me later.
Are you serious or are you joking? How good is WD40?
Help, im so comfused"