Records...vinyl...spinnin' the black circle...45's... [Archive]

PHOENIX

05-08-2007, 08:46 PM

Originally posted by Loons The Great
What is the best way to clean a record if it is skipping? Or the best way to clean the needle without damaging it?

Ize know there are some ol' school record playin' mofos an' mamas 'round this hood nah nah yezz yezz...well welll wellll...:D

Here's some help Loons.

Saturate a Disc Doctor's Miracle Record Brush with "Quick Wash" solution.
Over 10 sec Gently spread fluid throughout the groove area using {a semi-circular motion in both} clock-wise & counter clock-wise motions along the groove path. Remove fluid using vacuum [preferred], high nap pure cotton terry cloth or Scott toilet tissue. No rinse is required.

For more effective cleaning, over 30 sec, Gently scrub 1/3 of the groove at a time, with a back & forth motion and then remove fluid.

Allow to air dry for 10-15 min & then apply a clean carbon fiber brush before playing or storage. The carbon fiber brush should also be applied before & after every playback.

Caution: when using vacuum fluid removal, avoid over drying as it can induce an unwanted static charge.

At the end of your cleaning session, rinse the brush pad 2-3 times with fresh distilled water. Saturate the pad with distilled water then remove a portion of the fluid with a gentle squeegee-like action using either a cleaner index finger or the cleaned handle of a nylon tooth brush. Repeat 2-3 times. Finally shake brush strongly 1 time to remove excess water then place brush with pad facing up & allow to air dry.

INGREDIENTS: water (purified by reverse osmosis); non-hazardous, biodegradable 1-hydroxypropane and non-ionic surfactants.
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THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE RECORD CLEANER:

The requirements for a cleaner that will safely & thoroughly clean any type of disc record are strict. It must:
1) Be safe for repeated use on all types of synthetic plastic discs (vinyl, filled vinyl, styrene, and other formulations such as Victrolac or the phenolic resin playing surface of Diamond Discs) and all types of shellac and acetate recordings.
2) Readily clean away all contaminants usually found on records, whether gritty, sticky or greasy.
3) Clean away mold or mildew & remove spores to inhibit regrowth.
4) Not contain isopropyl alcohol or other solvents which can dissolve shellac surfaces, and cause the leaching of plasticizers from synthetic plastic pressings making them brittle and subject to excess wear. Methyl alcohol should also be avoided; undenatured ethyl alcohol concentrations must be kept to a minimum.
5) Not leave any residue on the record after cleaning.

THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE RECORD CLEANER, an extra strength formula, can be used to clean LPs, 45s, shellac and plastic 78s and Edison Diamond Discs. Approximately 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) is needed per side for 12" discs {average condition pressings are routinely cleaned with a diluted solution}. THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE RECORD BRUSHES are designed for a life time of use, have replaceable working surfaces, and are available in sizes matched to every disc format for the safest, most efficient cleaning.

PROPER CLEANING PROCEDURES ARE VITAL! extensive tests have shown that the following manual cleaning procedure affords superior results at minimal cost, while providing excellent insurance against record breakage and label fading.

COMMENTS ON MACHINE ASSISTED CLEANING: Cleaning may be facilitated by vacuum-assisted removal of CLEANER and rinse solutions. MIRACLE RECORD BRUSHES, sized to the record surface for cleaning, rinsing and dry brushing are the only accessories needed. see cleaning procedure for details. (non-vinyl discs require proper platter support to prevent breakage).

PLASTIC PHONOGRAPH RECORDS:
This category includes LPs; 45s; 78s such as RCA Victor DeLuxe, those made after 1956, most Victor "Program Transcriptions" & Edison Diamond Discs (see Comments & Cautions before cleaning).

SHELLAC PHONOGRAPH RECORDS:
This category includes 78 rpm laterals, such as Victor, Columbia, Brunswick, etc.; 33 1/3 rpm Victor "Program Transcriptions" pressed in shellac and 78 rpm verticals from Pathe, OkeH, Paramount, Vocalion, etc.

the general directions for cleaning micro-groove 33 1/3 and 45 rpm records also apply to acetate pressings and 78 rpm plastic & shellac recordings.

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED:
1) THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE RECORD BRUSHES, matched to record size & surface for safe, efficient, Wet and Dry cleaning.
2) distilled water or equivalent; a clean container and one for waste (small aluminum loaf pans are ideal).
3) soft, 100% cotton rags for damp drying; readily available baby bath towels with stiched borders removed are an excellent source. 4-6 7" squares with the edges pinked are recommended. Non-perfumed, flat sheet toilet paper [6-8 pieces looses bundled] is an alternative. Scott brand is an excellant choice.
4) dish drainer: common vinyl-covered wire unit with drain pad for final air drying.

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BRUSHES USED TO CLEAN SHELLAC DISCS
MUST NOT BE USED ON VINYL PRESSINGS
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PREPARATIONS:
1) Work Surface: a flat, firm surface such as a kitchen table. A smooth surface under the record is needed to avoid scratching. lp turntable platter mats are excellent work surfaces; using a pair saves having to clean the work surface between sides. options include a piece of heavy plastic table cloth or oilcloth to protect the record and prevent wetting the table itself; the ribbed pad accompanying the dish drainer; a soft vinyl sink protector mat with raised ribs to channel water from the underside of the record.
2) Solution Strength: as purchased, THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE RECORD CLEANER is an extra strength solution suitable for cleaning every disc recording you own. Average condition vinyl pressings and well cared for shellac and acetate discs can be cleaned with a solution of 2 parts CLEANER to 1 part distilled water. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION: To safely clean Pre-1910 shellac pressings, use a solution of 1 part CLEANER to 2 parts distilled water.
3) Rinse Water: fill clean container with warm distilled or filtered water.
4) Pre-brushing: for excessively dirty shellac or acetate pressings & Edison Diamond Discs a pre-brushing to remove loose dirt and debris is recommended before wet cleaning. Stand each dry record vertically on a piece of paper and dry brush the grooves with an inexpensive, tapered bristle paint brush (2-4" wide).

CLEANING PROCEDURE:

1) CLEANING Place record flat on work surface (see above). Apply CLEANER to a DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE WET BRUSH so that the fiber surface is almost saturated with fluid [for an LP-sized brush, 1/2 tsp, (2-3 ml) for the initial wetting and approx. half as much for subsequent sides]. Lightly run the saturated brush around the disc to wet the entire surface. Avoid wetting the record label. Then firmly scrub 1/3 of the groove surface at a time with three back and forth sweeps. Apply enough pressure on the brush to insure good contact without crushing the pad into the grooves. There should have been enough fluid in the brush to provide a small puddle in front of the moving brush. Move this puddle around as cleaning progresses. When cleaning is complete, remove most of the fluid by sweeping it up into the cleaning brush as it is lightly dragged around the disc surface. Remove residual fluid from the groove surface by cotton cloth, vacuum or cheap non-perfumed, flat sheet toilet paper. Remove residual Cleaner from the brush by gently squeegeeing the upper pile of the pad with the handle of a cleaned nylon toothbrush or your index finger, cleaned & degreased with a little Cleaner. Never try to take the record to complete dryness by scrubbing with cloth, paper or dry vacuum strips.

2) RINSING* Saturate second WET BRUSH with distilled water from clean container. Spread water around the disc and scrub as in Step (1). Avoid wetting label. Remove residual rinse water from the grooves with a second cotton square, rinsed vacuum wand or fresh toilet paper. Use the slightly dampened cloth or toilet paper to gently wipe label. Always remove excess water from labels by patting, not wiping.

3) The fine film of moisture which remains after the Cleaner is removed is advantageous to the rinse step. The film of moisture remaining after the rinse cycle is thoroughly degreased & any lint (from cloth or paper) remaining after the disc is completely dry, is readily removed with a clean carbon fiber brush.

4) DRYING After cleaning the reverse side, allow the record to thoroughly air dry (30-60 min),depending on room humidity and air flow) before playing or sleeving.

5) POST CLEANING & REGULAR MAINTENANCE When dry, apply a clean Carbon Fiber Brush to vinyl surfaces or a DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE DRY BRUSH to shellac, acetate & Edison Discs. Store in a fresh sleeve. All recordings should be dry brushed before and after regular use. Use a clean, Carbon Fiber Brush on vinyl discs and THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE DRY BRUSH on shellac pressings and Edison Diamond Discs.

6) ENJOY!

*When desired an additional scrubbing rinse can be applied using distilled water that contains 1-2 drops of the full strength Cleaner per liter or quart of water.

Comments and Cautions:

[1] DURING INITIAL PLAYBACK the stylus will accurately mate with the grooves of a thoroughly cleaned disc resulting in improved tracing. Depending upon the quality of the pressing, type of stylus previously employed, condition of the surface and previous cleaning efforts, several plays may be required to complete this process and to reveal the true quality of the disc in hand.*

Records should be dry wiped after each playback. Material deposited upon the stylus during this process is readily removed with available stylus brushes.

[2] CARBON FIBER BRUSH CLEANING: A previously used CFB can be cleaned by soaking 1/4-3/8” of the tips overnight in full strength cleaner followed by 3 brief soak & rinse cycles in distilled water. Don’t touch fibers with your fingers. Periodic treatment with a ZeroStat® type device will keep the brush in full vigor.

[3] When cleaning pre-l9l0 or extremely dirty, greasy, or moldy pressings, it may be necessary to repeat step (l).

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION: To safely clean Pre-1910 shellac pressings, use a solution of 1 part CLEANER to 2 parts distilled water.

[4] EDISON DIAMOND DISCS: extra care must be taken to avoid wetting the outer edge and the spindle hole (areas where the core is exposed). Also avoid wetting paper labels as the top printed label is glued to pressed-in under label. Immediately sop up any liquid that accidently touches these areas. Never immerse a Diamond Disc. Allow records to air-dry for 2-6 hours before storage.

[5] SHELLAC PRESSINGS: “dish-warped” records must be cleaned with custom support and gentle handling during cleaning to avoid breakage.

[6] LABEL FADE: OkeH maroon and Victor Red Seal labels are especially likely to fade. Center-start Pathe’ records have etched label areas which must be kept dry or filler pigment will wash away.

[7] VICTROLAC PRESSINGS: these discs often continue to exude an oily film which will require occasional recleaning.

*[8] Common Causes of Noisy Grooves after Cleaning & Playback: noisy surfaces after cleaning & 2-3 plays usually result from either 1) need for another distilled/reverse osmosis water source, 2) not removing enough Cleaner prior to the rinse, 3)not thoroughly rinsing, 4)static charges induced by over drying or 5) worn, damaged or simply inferior quality vinyl.

If you’re having trouble getting the results you’d expect of our products or have other record cleaning related questions/comments, please contact us by phone, fax, email or letter.

Lagniappe Chemicals Ltd.
P.O. Box 37066, St. Louis, MO 63141 USA
(314) 205 1388 voice/fax email: thedoctor@discdoc.com
www.discdoc.com

Suggestions for using our suggested cleaning method

with Vacuum Cleaning Machines:

With proper attention to detail, fluids can be
removed from disc recordings as effectively by either manual methods or with the assistance of a vacuum driven pickup. Limitations to the efficiency and effectiveness of the latter approach primarily involve the design of the vacuum orifice. The slot in the vacuum wand of most machines is shaped and sized in such a manner that fluids tend to be evaporated as much as sucked through the tube. This results in sufficient turbulence at the face of the vacuum slot to aerosol fluids onto the vacuum strips and the record. At the least this necessitates that the wand be rinsed between wash & rinse steps, slowing the process down.

Modifications for VPI and similar machines:
1) Purchase a second wand and column, dedicating
one to the wash cycle and another to the rinse.

2) Remove & rinse the single wand in distilled water
between each wash-rinse step.
3) Use a small, notched aluminum loaf pan or
similar container partially filled with distilled water
& either raise it to the wand or lower the wand into
the container sitting on the deck of the machine.

4) Manually remove the Cleaner & use the vacuum
to remove fluids following the distilled water rinse.
Allow the vacuum wand one revolution plus a finger
width and stop. ** Final drying of the record surface
& label area should only be accomplished by air drying at ambient temperature to prevent statically charging the cleaned surface.

* Cleaning fluids should be applied to the brush and
then dispersed about the disc rather than directly to
the record surface.
** Rinse water can be applied directly to the record surface but the brush should be well wetted whenever it contacts the disc. We do not find the brushes supplied with current record cleaning machines to be adequate for either cleaning or rinsing. In our hands, the back & forth scrubbing motion described in our Cleaning Procedure affords a more consistent result than holding a brush down to a rotating record, even when bi-directional rotation is used and do not recommend this approach.

Pad Replacement for Cleaning Brushes:

Remove the existing brush pad by peeling back the fabric AND the tape film which holds the pad in place*. Use the old film and/or your finger tips to roll up any adhesive which may remain on the rubber handle surface. The replacement pads are a sandwich consisting of a fabric pad, double sided tape and a backing paper. *Warm brushes & pads to 80-90°F*
Working with the fabric face toward you, peel a corner of the tape film AND fabric toward you (Don’t pull the fabric off of the tape!). When a corner is free peel about 1/3 of the backing
paper back upon itself to expose part of the tape film.

Align a short side of the pad with the exposed adhesive tape along a short edge of the handle bottom. When the edge of the pad is positioned, peel back the rest of the backing & smooth
the pad onto the surface of the handle. Reseat if necessary;
wrinkling is prohibited! Roll the edges of the pad onto the handle sides. The fine edge of film (~1/32”) which may be visible along thelong edges of the pad should be pressed onto the rubber surface with a sliding finger motion. Don’t transfer adhesive from you fingers to the cleaning pad surface. Allow adhesive to set for 48 hrs. before use.
Then…Get back to cleaning those records!

Strip Replacement for Vacuum Wands

The general directions for replacing brush pads should be used when replacing the strips that line the slot of the vacuum wand on VPI, Moth, Nitty Gritty & similar record cleaning
machines. Debris from old strips can usually be removed with common hydrocarbon solvents [use in well ventilated area] or the surface of the tube smoothed down with a single-edged razor blade.