Re: [ARSCLIST] VPI cleaning fluid -- any good homebrew recipes?

[phillip holmes <insuranceman@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I know some guys will pass out when they read this, but I've used 100% pure 
anhydrous Isopropanol (meant for delicate circuit boards) on LPs.  Also, 
Everclear (and no, I've never used it internally) and denatured alcohol. 
The thing is, I think you have ionic bonds and anionic bonds (speaking of 
different kinds of contaminants) and some of the junk on vinyl needs a 
solvent like alcohol, naphtha or the old Freon TF (replaced by a wonderful 
product called Vertrel).  Look up Vertrel for the ultimate in releasing all 
the nasty chemical stuff.  Once I've cleaned with alcohol I notice less 
accumulation of gunk and less static build up.  And I haven't noticed any 
kind of degradation to the vinyl either.  A conical stylus at 2.5 grams does 
more damage than 15 seconds of exposure to alcohol.  Some other products 
besides alcohol and Vertrel are the photo supplies made by Edwal.  They make 
a surfactant that, in my opinion, works better than Photoflo (I've used 
both).  I noticed a slight residual background noise when using Photoflo on 
mint records.  The noise went away after washing with alcohol.  Edwal makes 
the surfactant (can't remember the exact name) and a "anti-stat film 
cleaner".  The "anti-stat" is something I'm experimenting with and I don't 
recommend it unless you are experimenting as well.  I'm also playing around 
with Edwal's "4 & 1 Hypo Eliminator".  That's just a chemical I saw at the 
photo place.  I think the best recommendation is to go easy on the 
surfactants.  If you get too much, it'll leave lots of residue.  Start 
adding minute amounts until the water loses its surface tension, then no 
more.  I also have experimented with steam from one of those Eureka "hot 
shots", a device for steam cleaning clothes, carpet, and tile.  It comes 
with an attachment that's approximately 4" wide with 5 holes.  It can give 
spectacular results (the best when in combination with the Vertrel, in my 
opinion).  It can also destroy records if you are careless.  I experimented 
with junk and found out that if you hold it about 1" away on the VPI 16.5, 
while it is vacuuming, I couldn't damage the record.  But I did get it to 
damage a record when sitting in one spot at point blank range.  Maybe a good 
tool to have around for really nasty discs (mold comes to mind--blast it 
with steam and suck it off).  And I always use a VPI 16.5, the absolute best 
improvement in sound.  Forget cartridges, preamps, blah blah blah!  Clean 
records are a must.
Of course, all the above is mostly for vinylite.  For 78s, I'd use distilled 
water and Ivory with a purpose made brush for scrubbing.
Phillip
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bewley, Nigel" <Nigel.Bewley@xxxxx>
To: <ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 8:09 AM
Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] VPI cleaning fluid -- any good homebrew recipes?


I'd like to hear of any home brews too.  We have a Keith Monks using
50:50 distilled water/industrial methylated spirit for use on vinyl (NOT
shellac because shellac will dissolve in alcohol!!) and distilled water
with a few drops of Kodak Photo Flow as a wetting agent/detergent for
'everything else' (including vinyl).  We're not averse to washing discs
in the sink either with a mild liquid detergent, soft brush and wet
fingers, using tap water that has, apparently, been through the cycle of
reservoir, glass, kidneys, sewage farm and reservoir on many occasions.
The key is to give the disc a final rinse in distilled water to prevent
lime scale depositing.

Greetings from a mild and sunny London.

Nigel Bewley
British Library Sound Archive

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