Better than Pro--Ject Wash-It cleaning fluid?

[bbbiker800]

Hi all - I use the above on my RCM and I need some more. But, if u use this stuff then have u replaced with a better product ? If so then what's Yr recommendation?

BTW I'm well aware of the numerous ISA concoctions out there and may revert to that or stick with Wash-It... As it seems OK.

Anyway all views gratefully received!!!!

Cheers Richard

[Manicatel]

I reckon the wash-it is as good as anything else out there.
Lots of people will come up with home brew concoctions which may or may not better it, but for ease of use, the ProJect stuff is very decent.

[AJSki2fly]

Hi all - I use the above on my RCM and I need some more. But, if u use this stuff then have u replaced with a better product ? If so then what's Yr recommendation?

BTW I'm well aware of the numerous ISA concoctions out there and may revert to that or stick with Wash-It... As it seems OK.

Anyway all views gratefully received!!!!

Cheers Richard

Have a read of this thread https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?61763-Attempting-to-Clean-Vinyl-Records&highlight=record+cleaning

Go to my post #29 for my cleaning process and fluids, by the way I do not always use the Nitty Gritty fluid, it works well but I think pure Isopropyl Alcohol ca n be substituted if leave to soak for a few minutes, and before any one shouts it can damage the Vinyl, I suggest they check out some chemistry fact about Vinyl and Isopropyl Alcohol.

As you will see I tried all sorts of cleaning methods and have now just about cracked it without resorting to huge expense of cleaning machines to expensive fluids. Today my wife brought me 2 records from the local Hospiscare when she was out and one had what looked like glue redisidue from an old inner sleeve. No worries I started the process off with some pure Isopropyl Alcohol to free it up leaving it to soak for several minutes then vacuumed off, I then followed my cleaning regime as described and presto two very clean and quiet records.

It may seem laborious but if you want clean records and get the best from them then as far as I can find out this is the basic approach. Yes you can put all sorts of machines into it most do vacuuming anyway, which I do, some use ultra-sonic cleaners, but if you read between the lines you will soon find out these too need regular fluid changes and vacuuming dry between each clean.

If you find anything better or a wonder clean product let us know.

[struth]

Always make my own and its cheaper too. If you don't want the hassle just buy what works for you.
Plenty recipes out there

[bbbiker800]

Thank u Adrian; don't know how I missed that before!!!

I'll see what other contributions come in but I've looked at
L'art du son before (don't fancy a furry RCM!), Nitty Gritty PUREnzyme+ Enzyme LP Record Cleaner and this one which is interesting - HANNL X2000 Vinyl Detergent (which foams). They have some excellent looking RCM'S BTW.

[Jason P]

Bought the ingredients for simple home brew (80:20 Distilled Water/IPA mix, dash of Ilfotol) for around £30 on the 'Bay. Will last forever (well the Ilfotol will!). Works fine.

[Simon_LDT]

The Right One is all you need, imo of course.

[AJSki2fly]

Thank u Adrian; don't know how I missed that before!!!

I'll see what other contributions come in but I've looked at
L'art du son before (don't fancy a furry RCM!), Nitty Gritty PUREnzyme+ Enzyme LP Record Cleaner and this one which is interesting - HANNL X2000 Vinyl Detergent (which foams). They have some excellent looking RCM'S BTW.

I assume you are referring to the reports of enzyme reported growth and separation. From my investigations quite a lot of the cleaners actually have some enzyme cleaner in them.

The key with L'Art du Son is to mix small amounts at a times 250ml and apply with a small atomiser, keep the fluid in a dark coloured bottle, if you suspect it is separating when you go to use later then throw away rinse out container with distilled H2O and mix some more. After applying L'Art du Son to the record and vacuuming off then apply distilled water and apply with a a pad specificities for the distilled H2O, and vacuum off as dry as possible. I have never had any furry deposits using this method and some records have I returned to to play have been in their new sleeves more than a year, quite long enough for something to happen.

The Nitty Gritty products are good but expensive and as I have compared and IMO you can get just as good results with what I use.

If you use a detergent such as HANNL X2000 Vinyl then make sure that you very thoroughly rinse the record with distilled H2O at least twice to ensure not residue is left behind. I have used detergent on some very badly soiled records that most people would probably have thrown in the bin, mainly due them getting damp in a dusty garage or shed and the inner sleeves breaking down and sticking to the vinyl. Even this can be recovered with persistence, secret is to use a warm solution of distilled H2O and detergent, put on the record and then leave to soak for up to 5 minutes and then use the cleaning pad, rinse and repeat several times, then complete the cleaning process as usual. You would be very surprised what can result. I have several records that went through this process which are quite hard to find, at least at sensible prices, and they actually have been hardly played just stored very poorly.

Have fun cleaning.

[bbbiker800]

Hi Jason - Thanks, but yes I'm aware of that solution and that many people use it. There doesn't seem to be a cheaper way to do it as you can easily make 5L's or it to last years.....

A few quick price checks on those i mentioned: L'Art Du Son is c£33, plus the distilled water for the solution plus rinsing. Nitty Gritty (1L neat) is c£32 plus the distilled water for rinsing. Hannl is c£32 for 2L, plus the distilled water. There are others like Keith Monks, ClearAudio etc all in the same'ish price range and yes there's a mix of standard cleaner types (mainly with ISA) and enzyme cleaners there. Whereas, Wash-It is a non-ISA cleaner and it looks OK value; plus the distilled water of course.

Thing is, I don't have a massive collection but I do occasionally add to it and, I have cleaned a lot already. I have around 160 LP's left to clean. About 30% of those need re-cleaning (used a Knosti) and the rest have never been cleaned including some 180gms LP's. After that lot is done then its just occasional cleaning maintenance.

So, a very effective cleaner that's also cost effective is whats needed. And really, the choice seems to be own ISA solution or more Wash-It.

Arrrggghhhhhh !! decisions, decisions !! LOL

[bbbiker800]

Thanks again Adrian good advice to take on board.

With Art Du Son I was indeed referring to the reports of growths occurring - not on the LP's as i'd double rinse if I was using it - no, the worry was within the RCM as it seems to me that it would need its own cleaning plus the need to keep creating new solutions of it. But there's mixed views on that and really they'd not sell the product if it was that bad !.

So, in summary, it would seem that I need 2 solutions. One for badly soiled (detergent/enzyme) and one for normal cleaning (ISA solution or Wash-IT again)


cheers, Richard

[Ianmac]

I too was wondering about Wash It.
I have just bought a S/H Project cleaner and used it a few times now.
I built an ultrasonic unit a few years and played around with a multitude of "cleaning solutions " mostly based around iso alc but found an ultrasonic cleaner from Maplins (Now Gone) which worked well. To get the record dry I used a small Karcher but it lacked the vacumn power needed and had to finish the drying process with the record freestanding and catching dust as they dried.
The Wash it with Project has so far given me excellent results, due Im sure, to the relatively high vacumn. To the extent that after some experience with Wash It I wouldnt want to try anything else- but one is always inquisitive.
If I get a really bad record I can use my Ultrasonic then the Project cleaner.
I thought Wash it was expensive till I looked at the price of other product bearing in mind its a 20 to 1 mix ration with de ionised water, available from our local Sainsbury store. It works best for me if the solution is a few degrees above room temp.

[Cycleallday]

I'm pretty sure the instructions recommend raising the temperature to make it more effective.

I always put my solution in the microwave for 30 secs before use and have no complaints and no desire to try alternatives.

Mel

[bbbiker800]

I do aim to try this but I think the manual says you can warm it to 40c but lower the solution ratio to 1:20 when warm and it's more effective they say. Its 1:10 normally. The problem is keeping the temp at 40c all the time u are cleaning. I had the idea of a baby bottle warmer to warm it and maintain it at the correct temp to save trips to the microwave. Bonkers I know....

[MisterMoseley]

I appreciate that I’ve resurrected a three year old thread but hope that’s OK. The other option was to start a new one!
I’ve decided to go Ultrasonic for my vinyl cleaning after the usual journey using a manual spin cleaner. I’ve managed to set my kit up for just under £200.
I’ve read so many different opinions about what cleaning solution to use and what ‘witches brew’ of ingredients works best. Ten different people - ten different answers!!
My question is a really simple one.
I realise that the Project ‘Wash It’ fluid is designed for a RCM but has anyone used it in an Ultrasonic and at what concentration?
The main reason for asking is that I see it is non-alcohol based and although I’m in the ‘I’m OK with Ispropyl for vinyl cleaning’ camp, my mother has 60/70 old Shellac 78s which need a damn good clean and I know you shouldn’t use Isopropyl for that.
Thanks.