[ARSCLIST] ultrasonic bathing

[Douglas Small <dsmall22578@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Darren,

Yes, it is probably like what you use for your glasses (I ought to  
try that, too).

In the Richmond Audio Society there are three of us who use the  
Branson 3510 units in one configuration or another. As you mention  
about the label, you will require a "Groovemaster" and can be found  
on ebay almost all the time. They go for about $40 each.  If this  
list serve accepts  links, here it is:
This will also allow you to clean the record in the sink with a mild  
dish soap or whatever is your pleasure.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Groovmaster-Label-Saver-45-LP-Vinyl-Record- 
Cleaner_W0QQitemZ150212463234QQihZ005QQcategoryZ618QQcmdZViewItem

The Branson 3510 is large enough to take a 12" LP if you rotate it  
twice in the bath (three sessions total). We all use 8 oz of 90%  
alcohol in 1 1/2 gallons of distilled water and that seems to work  
fine for this stage of the cleaning.

The ultrasonic activity heats the water about 3 degree Celsius every  
15 minutes of use and the vinyl will warp if the water is warm to the  
touch. 17-20 degrees C is fine. We degass the fluid only when putting  
fresh water in (change about every 30-50 disks). The record is about  
55% immersed due to its size and so some use as short as a 3 minute  
cycle 3 times. I use a 6 minute cycle 3 times.

There are other steps pre and post ultrasonic bath, depending upon  
your level of obsession. The only real requirement after the water/ 
alcohol bath is to rinse the record and dry it with some grade of  
ultrapure water.

Hope that helps. I would be happy to share the entire drill for  
anyone who is interested. The cleaner the records, the more likely  
the sound/music will jump out of the grooves.

I would be happy to offer an upload of a 1 minute sample of a dirty  
record and then the same minute of a cleaned record for your  
thoughts. (each minute is about 10 megs in .aiff format)

Doug


On Feb 5, 2008, at 5:02 AM, D P Ingram wrote:

> How does the ultrasonic bath work ? Is it like what I clean my  
> glasses with (you put water and disk fluid in a small bath). But  
> won't the label get wet and this ruined (and I thought you cannot  
> put all record materials in water if you want to have them not  
> damaged?
>
> Darren