common turntable / vinyl questions

[j.postema]

Hi, as a vinyl / turntable newbie I have a few questions:

* how shoud I clean my stylus? Are the carbon brushes ok, or do they collect dirt?
* what (inner and outer) sleeves should I use for my vinyl? I've read about paper inner sleeves leaving residues on the record. I've read about pvc (outer) sleeves causeing a "misting" on the vinyl (I think only in warm climates) (http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=43623)

Regards

[struth]

an anti static inner is best. mobi labs ones being the tops imo. worth paying for if you want to keep them clean. cleaning is best done with a vacuum cleaner like a moth etc. plenty of brushes around of varying types. I use a tonar wet goat. I always keep my covers in a plastic cover to protect them, but its not essential. will, again help with dust as do lidded boxes to store them on their edges; not flat. if your records are cleaned properly you shouldnt need to clean you stylus. I almost never clean mine. cant remember last time I did. you can buy fluid in small bottle which comes with its own little brush in lid. brush gentaly from back to front once is enough.

[Macca]

I use this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vinyl-Passion-Dust-Buster-Polymer/dp/B004VEORZ0

Not cheap but you only need to buy once. Lower stylus in, takes off the dust. raise stylus out, rinse the dust off the gel under the tap. Works a treat.

[daytona600]

* how shoud I clean my stylus? Are the carbon brushes ok, or do they collect dirt?
carbon fibre brush okay - per other reply dust buster excellent beast

* what (inner and outer) sleeves should I use for my vinyl? I've read about paper inner sleeves leaving residues on the record. I've read about pvc (outer) sleeves causeing a "misting" on the vinyl (I think only in warm climates)

wet clean records with good quality fluid & brush
or ideally a vacuum RCM , then replace the inner sleeve with aftermarket ant-static liners

outers use poly/mylar/hdpe - PVC only suitable for short term storage as softners added to PVC break down overtime
(http://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=43623)

Regards[/QUOTE]

[j.postema]

Thanks for your help :) I think I will buy a dust buster as this seems the nicest way to clean the stylus to me. I will buy some anti static liners as well. Maybe some outer sleeves to protect the covers.

Today I did an experiment by cleaning a record with wood glue. I managed to get a nice thin surface of wood glue on one side of the record, (I turned on the turntable, put glue on the record and used one finger tip to distribute the glue evenly on the surface) let it dry for 24 hours and peeled it off. It came off easily and in one piece. I think the record sounds even a little bit better than before this action. Some images of this experiment: (I realize putting the record on a towel isn't the best thing to do...)

https://s18.postimg.org/piw74iid1/P1010139.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/piw74iid1/)

https://s18.postimg.org/mbwlnrrlh/P1010142.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/mbwlnrrlh/)

https://s18.postimg.org/hyy25ciut/P1010145.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/hyy25ciut/)

https://s18.postimg.org/5j1cblpit/P1010146.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/5j1cblpit/)

https://s18.postimg.org/6k1l0q6id/P1010150.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/6k1l0q6id/)

https://s18.postimg.org/4e7a6831x/P1010152.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/4e7a6831x/)

https://s18.postimg.org/7wja2m3xx/P1010153.jpg (https://postimg.org/image/7wja2m3xx/)

[rdpx]

Hi Johan
I love the woodglue idea! Looks very satisfying indeed... I never tried it myself as I ended up getting a nice deal on an Okki Nokki which I am happy with.

I would give another vote for the MO-FI ORIGINAL MASTER SLEEVES which is I think what Grant was referring to above, anyway they are a pleasure to use. These ones to avoid any confusion:

Mobile Fidelity Master Sleeves (http://www.juno.co.uk/products/mobile-fidelity-original-master-anti-static-vinyl/422120-01/)

Regarding the outer sleeves, be careful not to buy PVC ones as apparently they cause issues as Scott mentioned above. I just bought 100 PVC ones from Juno and then saw Scott's comment and a quick google threw up loads of threads with people talking about what a bad idea PVC is with vinyl. It seems to be a pretty widely known issue so god knows why anyone is still selling them.

R

[HackneyRF]

I use this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vinyl-Passion-Dust-Buster-Polymer/dp/B004VEORZ0

Not cheap but you only need to buy once. Lower stylus in, takes off the dust. raise stylus out, rinse the dust off the gel under the tap. Works a treat.

I use one too. A great little tool.