Marco's cleaning process with new vinyl, using an RCM

[Simon_LDT]

I've just ordered a Pro-ject RCM, bit of an impulse buy but I've always wanted a RCM.

Will report my findings once it arrives and I start using it. In the meantime, any tips for a complete RCM novice would be greatly appreciated.

[WAD62]

I've just ordered a Pro-ject RCM, bit of an impulse buy but I've always wanted a RCM.

Will report my findings once it arrives and I start using it. In the meantime, any tips for a complete RCM novice would be greatly appreciated.

Snap!...

[Slippershod]

howdy folks ... dipping a toe back into vinyl again, but keeping it simple and (to be frank) as cheap as poss. this time.

dealing with static and dirty records effectively remain two much-desired for goals, and I've read through the thread here accordingly.

I've no desire or dosh for vac-cleaning at this point (have had a moth and loricraft in the past), so had pretty much decided to go with Paul Stewart's potion and micro-fiber cloths, and was googling last night for the 'right' kind of the latter when I came across this page:

http://www.thevinylfactory.com/vinyl...cords-by-hand/

It's the fourth paragraph down that's got me wondering, where he robustly (and apparently with evidence, although not provided) argues against the use of isopropyl alchohol ... any comments on the matter would be much appreciated - particularly from you Paul (Stewart), as you clearly know your stuff.

[PaulStewart]

Hi Marc,

The problem with articles like this is they are well written, but sadly complete clap trap. There is a myth that isopropyl is de plasticising when it comes to vinyl. This is frankly nonsense, we tested pur cleaner with over a thousand cleaning and drying cycles, having built a test rig to measure the degree of bend, we also soaked a strip cut from a record in various strengths of alcohol for a week and then dried them and again there was no difference in the degree of flexibility. We then used a constant pressure scribing tool to see if the cleaned vinyl was more likely to scratch, it wasn't.

Next the idea that there is a protective coating on records is just nonsense. I've been invoved with the production of records for many years and it simply does not exist. There are some release compounds, on SOME records, not all presses needed them. However, alchohol on it's own does not work well, it needs to be mixed with other ingredients to make it clean effectively.

Hope this helps

[Slippershod]

cheers, Paul.
Interesting stuff, and thought / hoped that would be the case.
odd, in that he claims to have 'proof' and also that the article is on a record-manufacturing company's website (re: the protective coating) ... but your testing was obviously comprehensive (to say the least!). Thanks again for your answer.
Marc

[StuN]

If you want a full explanation from a bioscience perspective then there are 25 pages of interest in the link below!

He covers stuff like Photoflo, washing liquid, rinse-aid, alcohols and a host of other liquids that enthusiasts use, talks about Ph, acid etching, static etc.

However the gist of it is: never more than 10% alcohol and a couple of drops of a detergent per litre. The thread is mostly, but not exclusively american and the preferred detergent is Triton X-100. Take inspiration from the title: Record Cleaning - You're doing it all wrong!

If you manage the first 5 pages, then you can skip to the end until your motivation returns!

http://www.audiokarm...t-wrong.689430/

[Slippershod]

uh oh ... here we go vinyl craziness

couldn't get your link to work StuN, old chap?
here's what I googled:
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.p...-wrong.689430/

but thanks - not sure I'll come out the 'other side' any more certain of stuff than usual, but it's interesting reading for sure.

[Slippershod]

ok -next question folks - hope there's still some interest in this thread.

I've bought this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ilpage_o01_s00

but have, typically, managed to come across record cleaning instructions online that say de-mineralised water (as opposed to distilled) is a definite no-no (although they don't say why of course...) ...

anyone reassure, or otherwise, that what I've bought is fit for purpose?


Marc

[daytona600]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ilpage_o01_s00

de-mineralised water (as opposed to distilled)

Irons , Batteries, Coolant/Anti-Freeze, Windscreen Wash

for a RCM you need distilled , ultrapure or RO ( Reverse osmosis ) water

[struth]

I use triple distilled as it has the broadest capabilities...ive not tried de ionised ..... Sure there will be some with better knowledge around who will guide you.

Here is a guide for what its worth...


Effectiveness of Distillation
Biological contaminants (viruses, bacteria, pyrogens, cysts):......Very Good
Dissolved gases (CO2, chlorine, radon):....................................Poor
Soluble organics (except VOC):............................................. ...Good
Particulates (sand, dust):............................................ .............Very Good
Soluble minerals (salts, hardness, iron, heavy metals):...............Very Good

Effectiveness of De-ionization
Biological contaminants (viruses, bacteria, pyrogens, cysts):.......Poor
Dissolved gases (CO2, chlorine, radon):.....................................Good
Soluble organics (charged ions only):........................................Good
Particulates (sand, dust, colloids):........................................ .....Poor
Soluble minerals (salts, hardness, iron, heavy metals):...............Outstanding

Effectiveness of Reverse-Osmosis Filtration
Biological contaminants (viruses, bacteria, pyrogens, cysts):......Very Good
Dissolved gases (chlorine only):............................................ ....Poor
Soluble organics (charged ions only):........................................Good
Particulates (sand, dust, colloids):........................................ .....Very good
Soluble minerals (salts, hardness, iron, heavy metals):...............Very Good

Effectiveness of Activated-Carbon Filtration
Biological contaminants (viruses, bacteria, pyrogens, cysts):........Poor
Dissolved gases (chlorine):....................................... .................Good
Dissolved organics (herbicides, pesticides, industrial solvents):....Outstanding
Particulates (sand, dust, colloids):........................................ ......Poor
Soluble minerals (salts, hardness, iron, heavy metals):.................Poor