10.28 How can I clean LPs?
Description
This article is from the rec.audio.* FAQ, by with numerous contributions by Bob Neidorff others.
10.28 How can I clean LPs?
There are expensive machines for this purpose which work very
well. One popular model goes by the name Nitty Gritty. These
machines spray cleaner onto the record, work it into the
grooves, and then vacuum the cleaner and dirt out. If you are
serious about records and have lots of them, it may be a good
investment for you.
If you have a more reasonable collection, you might be happy
with a good hand washing every now and then. To give your
records a good hand washing, start by preparing this wash:
1 gallon distilled water
1 gram Alconox (a laboratory detergent)
Also, get a natural bristle brush and trim it to the correct
stiffness/bristle length so that the bristles can get into the
grooves but aren't stiff enough to scratch the record.
Some record-cleaning recipies recommend alcohol. However,
alcohol will leach plasticizer from vinyl, and eventually
degrade LPs. Alcohol will also disolve the shellac of 78s,
so should never touch a 78.
Lay the LP flat and pour a thin coat of the above fluid on it.
Brush the wash into the grooves with the bristle brush. Brush
in the direction of the grooves, going through all grooves.
Flush the wash and dirt off with cool, running tap water.
Rinse the record with distilled water and pat it dry
with a soft, clean cotton cloth.
Also consider using a carbon fiber brush every time you play
the LP. It picks up some surface dirt and removes static.
Continue to:
My Books
