Record Cleaning Advice

[Boyse6748]

Just got myself a Pro-Ject VC-S record cleaner. It's very basic and noisy but appears to do a good job.

I suppose you get what you pay for !!!

My question is, can any recommend what is the best cleaning agent to use? I've read a bit about the " The Right One" but is it still available?

If not, is there a second best.

Any advice gratefully received.

Peter


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[SquireC]

The right one was the best, but is no longer available. Search the forum for other suggestions.

[Stratmangler]

TRO is the best I've used to date.
I've heard that it's going to be available again in the not too distant.

[julesd68]

My question is, can any recommend what is the best cleaning agent to use? I've read a bit about the " The Right One" but is it still available?


Are you using the Pro-ject Wash It concentrate at the moment?

I was thinking of trying it ...

[Simon_LDT]

The Right One. I really hope it becomes available again soon. I've got enough to tide me over for a bit but would like some more as it's that good.

[Clive197]

Easy, L'Art du Son. Best fluid I've used by a country mile. Available at MCRU and other good online sellers incl. Amazon

[Stratmangler]

Easy, L'Art du Son. Best fluid I've used by a country mile. Available at MCRU and other good online sellers incl. Amazon

I've read that it supports organic life.
That can't be good for your records.

[Audio Al]

I've read that it supports organic life.
That can't be good for your records.

Yes me too , some records go mouldy after cleaning , maybe they need rinsing after cleaning :scratch:

[Audio Al]

The Right One. I really hope it becomes available again soon. I've got enough to tide me over for a bit but would like some more as it's that good.


I purchase a gallon of it :)

[Simon_LDT]

I purchase a gallon of it :)

Hehe. I only got 1 litre as my RCM was new at the time and I don't have thousands of LP's (prob around 2-300). I've still got about a 1/3 left so will do me for a little longer but I would definitely like some more and a larger size bottle!

[Audio Al]

PM PaulStewart for a update on when its available again ;)

[Boyse6748]

Are you using the Pro-ject Wash It concentrate at the moment?

I was thinking of trying it ...

I've been using the Pro-Ject Wash It, but I'm sort of undecided. It does work but it is expensive and I think I prefer the alcohol based cleaners as they tend to dry quicker.

I had a couple of small samples of The Right One and after using this I really can't find anything better.

Peter

[CageyH]

MCRU recently stated on another forum that he was working with Paul Stewart to make it available again.

[montesquieu]

Easy, L'Art du Son. Best fluid I've used by a country mile. Available at MCRU and other good online sellers incl. Amazon


Hmm I don't like it much with my Loricraft I found it was hard to get it all out.

I use an enzyme forumla for really bad records, followed by an alcohol-based forumulation, then distilled water + wetting agent rinse.

[Mickyricky]

Hmm I don't like it much with my Loricraft I found it was hard to get it all out.

I use an enzyme forumla for really bad records, followed by an alcohol-based forumulation, then distilled water + wetting agent rinse.

Tom ..Can you explain a bit more about your formulas please ..

[magiccarpetride]

Easy, L'Art du Son. Best fluid I've used by a country mile. Available at MCRU and other good online sellers incl. Amazon

Second that. L'Art du Son is so superior, it's not even funny.

[karma67]

Tom ..Can you explain a bit more about your formulas please ..

here's a good recipe https://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/for-audiophiles/home-brew-cleaner-for-vacuum-rcms/

[montesquieu]

Tom ..Can you explain a bit more about your formulas please ..

This if necessary - sold out at the moment I see https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mobile-Fidelity-PLUS-Enzyme-Cleaner/dp/B003UC9EAC

Followed by a mix of 75% triple distilled water and 25% Isopropl alcohol

Followed by triple distilled water with two teaspoons a litre of photographic wetting agent

For stuff that isn't gunked up enough to need the enzyme cleaner it's basically the regime recommended in the link already given:
https://londonjazzcollector.wordpress.com/for-audiophiles/home-brew-cleaner-for-vacuum-rcms/

Different brushes for each.

I have most of a bottle of L'art du son still kicking about, I don't like the way it foams.

[Boyse6748]

It's quite bizarre how we all differ in our opinions. You will not not win this argument, as there is no right or wrong answer.

All I can say is that, after 50 years in the music business and over 2000 white label first cuts, any sort of record cleaning is beneficial.


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[alphaGT]

I've got the Pro-Ject RCM myself. But I had a VPI previously and believe me, the Project is not nearly as loud as the VPI. I like everything about it better. But, I use the Mobile Fidelity brand stuff, easy to find. And I've had no issues with it. I use the Super Record Wash, the Super Deep Cleaner. And a bottle of the Plus Enzyme cleaner. I don't know how they stack up against any other brands, but I'm fairly happy with their performance. Use each as needed, a really dusty or nicotine coated record use the deep cleaner, if it's moldy use the enzyme cleaner, and if it's just a routine cleaning, or rinsing, I use the Super Record Wash. not cheap, but it lasts a good while.


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[Boyse6748]

I've got the Pro-Ject RCM myself. But I had a VPI previously and believe me, the Project is not nearly as loud as the VPI. I like everything about it better. But, I use the Mobile Fidelity brand stuff, easy to find. And I've had no issues with it. I use the Super Record Wash, the Super Deep Cleaner. And a bottle of the Plus Enzyme cleaner. I don't know how they stack up against any other brands, but I'm fairly happy with their performance. Use each as needed, a really dusty or nicotine coated record use the deep cleaner, if it's moldy use the enzyme cleaner, and if it's just a routine cleaning, or rinsing, I use the Super Record Wash. not cheap, but it lasts a good while.


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What a decent answer.... I like it ... more reasoned than most. In my opinion , a man that's looking after his vinyl.

My best regards to you.

Peter


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[alphaGT]

What a decent answer.... I like it ... more reasoned than most. In my opinion , a man that's looking after his vinyl.

My best regards to you.

Peter


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Thanks Peter, I do want to look after my records, I've still got my very first one I bought when I was 13 years old! (Kansas Leftoverture) and it still plays like new. But what I've found in record cleaning, is that it is part of hi end vinyl playback, washing my records has made a bigger improvement in sound quality than any cartridge upgrade. And, if you've got a lot of money in your cartridge, you don't want it dragging around in the dirt! I've heard digital enthusiasts mocking vinyl about its inherent pops and ticks, but I have no pops and ticks in my vinyl playback, and nearly no surface noise. I guess if they can't take care of their records, they may as well go digital. Before anyone jumps, I have no problem with digital, and have a CD collection as well.


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[magiccarpetride]

Thanks Peter, I do want to look after my records, I've still got my very first one I bought when I was 13 years old! (Kansas Leftoverture) and it still plays like new. But what I've found in record cleaning, is that it is part of hi end vinyl playback, washing my records has made a bigger improvement in sound quality than any cartridge upgrade. And, if you've got a lot of money in your cartridge, you don't want it dragging around in the dirt! I've heard digital enthusiasts mocking vinyl about its inherent pops and ticks, but I have no pops and ticks in my vinyl playback, and nearly no surface noise. I guess if they can't take care of their records, they may as well go digital. Before anyone jumps, I have no problem with digital, and have a CD collection as well.

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CDs need care too.

And I concur, before considering upgrading audio components, work on fundamentals first. Like, cleaning the LPs. Only a thoroughly clean LP will show if the playback quality needs any improvements...

[PaulStewart]

Hi All,

Just to let you know, as I can't make "The Right One" myself any longer, I have been looking for someone who I can trust to make it to the proper formula and with the correct precision, which is really important for it to work at maximum efficiency. I have decided that the best person for the job is David Brooks at MCRU. I will be organising licensing the formula to him shortly and the fluid will be available, I will also be discussing my well received cartridge mounting kits and some new products I have been working on for some time. So watch this space folks.

[Simon_LDT]

Great news Paul.

[Cas]

Hmm I don't like it much with my Loricraft I found it was hard to get it all out.


How so ?

[Cas]

Second that. L'Art du Son is so superior, it's not even funny.

Third it, never use anything else.

[Stratmangler]

Easy, L'Art du Son. Best fluid I've used by a country mile. Available at MCRU and other good online sellers incl. Amazon
I've read that it supports organic life.
That can't be good for your records.
Yes me too , some records go mouldy after cleaning , maybe they need rinsing after cleaning :scratch:

Rinse 'em in TRO and the problem won't occur :)

[montesquieu]

Rinse 'em in TRO and the problem won't occur :)

TRO?

I find a L'Art du Son leaves a residue. Even after multiple rinses in pure water. I can see that using detergent appeals when getting rid of muck but it's no good if you leave a film behind on the groove. To me the way it foams up is a worry, not a comfort.

[Stratmangler]

TRO?

The Right One

[SquireC]

Hi All,

Just to let you know, as I can't make "The Right One" myself any longer, I have been looking for someone who I can trust to make it to the proper formula and with the correct precision, which is really important for it to work at maximum efficiency. I have decided that the best person for the job is David Brooks at MCRU. I will be organising licensing the formula to him shortly and the fluid will be available, I will also be discussing my well received cartridge mounting kits and some new products I have been working on for some time. So watch this space folks.

Excellent news Paul. I hope it's not too long to wait, I've not got much TRO left.

[magiccarpetride]

TRO?

I find a L'Art du Son leaves a residue. Even after multiple rinses in pure water. I can see that using detergent appeals when getting rid of muck but it's no good if you leave a film behind on the groove. To me the way it foams up is a worry, not a comfort.

Yeah, it's practically useless without vacuuming the muck immediately after you finish the wash. Air drying is never good, because not only is the residue left on the record, but the dust particles suspended in the air get into the grooves. So it's basically a waste of time.

[alphaGT]

Two things I've learned about cleaning records. One is use a fine brush. Something with carbon fiber bristles, or like those felt pads on the MoFi brushes. Record grooves are quite small. Two is, it's not so much the hard scrubbing as it is letting it set for a few minutes. Just let it spin, use the brush to flatten it out, give the fluid time to work before vacuuming it up. Yes some will require hard scrubbing, most do not.


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[Boyse6748]

Quite correct.

After only 20 record cleans.... it looks like I will have a revitalised record collection and enjoying the sound of silence. Learning as I go along. This Pro-Ject VC-S is basic but god does it work.

Happy days, listening to music that was unplayable before the treatment.

Peter


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[vinylspinner]

That's good news Peter.
Give me a shout if you need some more TRO fluid.

Nigel



Quite correct.

After only 20 record cleans.... it looks like I will have a revitalised record collection and enjoying the sound of silence. Learning as I go along. This Pro-Ject VC-S is basic but god does it work.

Happy days, listening to music that was unplayable before the treatment.

Peter


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[HackneyRF]

Hi All,

Just to let you know, as I can't make "The Right One" myself any longer, I have been looking for someone who I can trust to make it to the proper formula and with the correct precision, which is really important for it to work at maximum efficiency. I have decided that the best person for the job is David Brooks at MCRU. I will be organising licensing the formula to him shortly and the fluid will be available, I will also be discussing my well received cartridge mounting kits and some new products I have been working on for some time. So watch this space folks.

Glad to hear that too.

[CageyH]

What brushes are you using to wet clean your vinyl?

[Boyse6748]

The goats hair brush supplied with the Pro-Ject VC-S. Work very well indeed.

Peter


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[struth]

Been using a wet goat myself.:eyebrows:

[SquireC]

@struth

Is that like the sheep and the comfortable pair of wellies?

:scratch:

[struth]

@struth

Is that like the sheep and the comfortable pair of wellies?

:scratch:

:D. More attitude.. tonar wet goat brush. Find it works real well