Ultrasonic Record cleaners

[Zoidburg]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using an ultrasonic record cleaner on their vinyl?

I have a collection of almost 1000 albums on vinyl now and I currently use a Disco-antistat wet cleaner from time to time when I feel the need to give something a freshen up.

However recently I noticed that a DIY ultrasonic cleaner is available at a reasonable price point, I noticed it after a few people posted some favourable reviews of it on a facebook vinyl & turntable enthusiasts page.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CleanerVin...kAAOSw241YVZ-w

This link isn't the actual item I have bought but it is very similar (mine comes complete as a kit with the ultrasonic tank and spindle motor and can do 5 or 6 disks at a time I think) and all for less than £200 delivered which seems like a bit of a bargain to me. Fingers crossed it works as well as I hope. il update in a few weeks when Ive had chace to fully get to grips with it (economy delivery from Poland to Uk advises up to 2 weeks delivery time).

[Cycleallday]

I will start by saying I have no experience of cleaning vinyl with an ultrasonic cleaner so please note my following comments may have no relationship to what you want to do with records.

I do however have experience of using these cleaners in an engineering environment and would make the following observation. Although the cleaning machine itself does not have any abrasive mechanism the process it facilitates can indeed cause abrasion of the surface material. When we have cleaned engine carburettors it quickly become obvious that the alloy metal surface losses its smooth polished finish and becomes prone to corrosion. Close examination of the surface shows the finish has become 'rougher' than it was and on repeat applications the situation quickly becomes worse. I now never use such cleaners on metal and prefer to use a soaking process.

With these cleaners it is also important to use the correct cleaner designed for the product being cleaned - just using water is of no use. Forget ebay and look at commercial suppliers of the machines and the various cleaning additives they also offer.

On doing some research on ultrasonic cleaning it appears this abrasion is well know - see the next para for a bit more detail.

"Some components, such as those manufactured of highly-polished aluminum, can quickly be damaged by ultrasonic cleaning action due to cavitational erosion of the parts, a condition where the ultrasonic scrubbing action actually erodes the surfaces of the parts. When these parts are cleaned in a standard ultrasonic cleaner, the surface of the parts appears mottled, and covered with a pattern of small comet-like spots. These "comets" are created when the ultrasonic activity essentially drills holes in the surface of the objects being cleaned. The head of the comet is the location of most intense ultrasonic activity, while the tail of the comet represents the direction that the fluid was blasted away during the cleaning action. The distance between neighboring "comets" and the degree of damage produced will be dependent upon the ultrasonic frequency in use."

Vinyl is not metal so the above may have no relevance but it is worth considering.

Mel

[mikeyb]

I looked at these ages ago you can buy them on Amazon or eBay without the motor but I didn't have the skill to build the motor so gave up on the idea.

IF he sold the motor only I might be tempted to have another look.

One setup like this that I saw had an adapter to clean 4 or 5 at a time 😉

[Zoidburg]

I looked at these ages ago you can buy them on Amazon or eBay without the motor but I didn't have the skill to build the motor so gave up on the idea.

IF he sold the motor only I might be tempted to have another look

You can get such a kit on ebay I think......

[mikeyb]

You can get such a kit on ebay I think......

Thanks, I stopped looking once I'd bought an okki nokki but they still look useful and doing more than one at a time would be a huge bonus, I had forgotten about them until your post came up.

Might look again 😀

[mikeyb]

I looked at these ages ago you can buy them on Amazon or eBay without the motor but I didn't have the skill to build the motor so gave up on the idea.

IF he sold the motor only I might be tempted to have another look.

One setup like this that I saw had an adapter to clean 4 or 5 at a time 😉

Actually that eBay listing IS for the motor only, you'd need to add the ultrasonic bath separately.

[Ali Tait]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of using an ultrasonic record cleaner on their vinyl?

I have a collection of almost 1000 albums on vinyl now and I currently use a Disco-antistat wet cleaner from time to time when I feel the need to give something a freshen up.

However recently I noticed that a DIY ultrasonic cleaner is available at a reasonable price point, I noticed it after a few people posted some favourable reviews of it on a facebook vinyl & turntable enthusiasts page.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CleanerVin...kAAOSw241YVZ-w

This link isn't the actual item I have bought but it is very similar (mine comes complete as a kit with the ultrasonic tank and spindle motor and can do 5 or 6 disks at a time I think) and all for less than £200 delivered which seems like a bit of a bargain to me. Fingers crossed it works as well as I hope. il update in a few weeks when Ive had chace to fully get to grips with it (economy delivery from Poland to Uk advises up to 2 weeks delivery time).

Have you a link to the actual one you've bought please?

[mikeyb]

Have you a link to the actual one you've bought please?

Yeah that would be cool I'd like ike to know too 😊

[shane]

What happens when you take the disk out of the bath, covered in fluid with all the dirt suspended in it, ready to stick back onto the disc as the fluid evaporates?

[Cycleallday]

What happens when you take the disk out of the bath, covered in fluid with all the dirt suspended in it, ready to stick back onto the disc as the fluid evaporates?

You quickly wash anything that comes out of a U/S cleaner immediatley to remove the cleaning fluid and any debris. Generally the cleaning fluid does not last too long before needing to be changed if you follow the instructions.