Adventures in Low Budget Record Cleaning

I discuss the primary issues of storing records and CDs, and do a little comparison math. Then I demonstrate cheap and easy CD cleaning, how to use Discwasher and Spin-Clean to clean your vinyl, and try out a cheap record cleaning gadget. See what happens.
Spin Clean

Please subscribe. Thanks Nicky for your help.

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[MichelLinschoten]

I don't use a vacuum I just use a very soft cloth to get the fluid off. Works just fine

[zulumax]

There were quite a few things I had to learn about using the spin-clean. Love your channel man! (note edit change error line 2 should be clockwise)

1). Run those special drying towels through your washing machine and dry them thoroughly before using them for the first time or they won't suck up the water well.

2). Dry the records off by rubbing in circles in the counter clockwise direction only. This dislodges the impacted dirt that is locked into the grooves by the stylus moving in the clockwise direction.

3). I found that using the discwasher dry after wiping down the record will pull even more dirt out, you will see it on the pad. (and you thought it was clean)

[martlet]

Great video - many thanks - here are my variations on your Spin Clean theme.. I use two spin cleans - the second is for distilled water only. After the initial spin clean application I place the LP on a record label size round rubber mat and (while the disc is still wet) use a white painters pad (home depot) and rotate with record groves. After spin clean rinse I use a KAB EV-1 (attached to a eureka mighty mite vacuum with a thumb hole on the tool end to minimize vac pressure when needed) to remove liquid. BTW - have long ago run out of space for CDs so the jewel cases have been replaced by a product called the jewellsleeve used with bamboo trays (120 CDs per tray) from the Container Store and an IVAR bookcase from Ikea.

[danedewaard]

I used to use the "Watts Dust Bug" which was available in the 1970's. This device was a ~ 8 inch clear plastic "tone arm" with a micro bristle brush at the end and felt roller just behind it. A drop of special fluid was allowed to wet the roller, and the device would clean your record as you played it if you desired. I think it cost about $10 - $15 dollars at the time. There are YouTube videos about it. I thought it worked very well. Thanks for the enjoyable video!

[aworminmybook]

i also used discwasher. i gave up on their fluid and used distilled water. i tried to wait for it to air dry but usually got impatient and listened to the record while it was still damp. the second listening when i came back later after it dried was always the best!

[Kuro]

some teflon tape or some paper towel could make your vacuum hose fit to your vinyl vac, easy peasy

[martinda]

Here in the UK I was the service engineer/manager of a high end audio outlet that was the importer of Nitty Gritty. I therefore had to repair hundreds of the things. They were the cheapest(not to purchase), most badly made thing that ever came into the shop. Cheap plastic that melted with loads of glue and chipboard that soaked and busted the corners apart, motors that melted the case..etc..All record cleaning fluid is sort of the same, distilled water isopropyl alcohol and a wetting agent/detergent.. During my time we tested every machine, and all the vacuum ones performed fairly much in the same way. we tried every preparation and spray and roller and yes even the wood glue.
Conclusion is you can't do better than the vacuum system, though a simple carbon fibre brush at every play and careful handling would be as much as I would do and keep the record noise and dust free.
Records weigh only twice as much as CDs?? I would have said three or four times if I guessed.
Cool video.

[jonboy]

Here's what I do - wash the disc in washing up liquid and warm water, wipe dry, apply a slight amount of WD40 to a soft cloth and wipe the freshly rinsed disc and then repeat the washing process. I then dry and polish the disc with a tissue and a soft cloth from my wife's spectacles case and you will be amazed how brilliant the disc will look and sound - this process not only removes dirt it smooths out scuffs and scratches on badly damaged discs and it kills static. Keep it to yourself its a secret you know! Don't over do the oil and wash/rise well!

[markkasick]

Check out the Groovemaster label protector. It allows you to clean a record with water pressure and not ruin the label. I bought one after seeing the Dixieland Farms guy demo it. I just blast the record clean under the bathtub spigot. If it’s a thrift store record and particularly gross a couple drops of Dawn in a quart of water (or tirgiclean, if you want to get fancy) you can go over it with a paint brush (goats hair is preferred) then rins again with tap water. Final rinse with distilled water. I let it air dry in the shower. Zero spots. Drying with a microfiber cloth also works. If that doesn’t get it cleaned I haves buddy with the ultrasonic bath. He will clean them. 99 percent of the time just hydraulic pressure works. Groovemaster is 50 bucks beautifully made and should last forever.

[paulboomer]

You dropped the Oring adaptor for the vacuum hose .I love my vinyl VAC .you should try it again !😎

[mattvasquez]

Greetings Peeps.. I am using the Spin Doctor Vacuum to pull fluid out of grooves after scrubbing vinyl records on a OLD spinning platter(old cheap jvc Turntable) with painters edging pad and Spin Clean Soulution. Feel the pad tracking the grooves with your generous amounts of Cleaning solution. SEE the dirt. HEAR the diffrence. ....SERENITY NOW. Do it. Get on the Choppa'.

[Madness]

I've got a SpinClean and have no complaints about it. Kind of relaxing to clean up a stack of thrift-store vinyl (they'd also get new inner sleeves).

Also, I've tried the Vinyl Vac, but it just sucks the record right off the platter.

[afrose]

The Big Fudge Record Friend is even better because it includes a stand to dry your cleaned records.

[raulfiorito]

8:54 the O-ring si inside the vinyl vac tube.
This seal is for the vacume hose, goes in the outside. Then fit the vinyl vac.

[HighSEAL]

Why don't just put same tape on the vauum cleaner hose ?

[olliecrow]

Wrap the end of the vacuum with duck tape/electrical tape then attach the vinyl vac for a snug fit. Easy peesey.

[timliu]

There are cheap ultrasonic machines with proper fixture to clean the records everywhere online. I setup mine for only $300. plus $20 for the solution which will last until the end of time. It may still sounds expensive, but think about this, it only cost you about no more than the cost of 10 records to keep all your records clean and pop free for life.

[mattellis]

The Vinyl Vac ships with O-Rings to fit different size hoses. I find it works well. You just need to pick up an o-ring from the hardware store and give it anther shot.

[ttownscott]

I have been very happy using the spinclean for washing and vinylvac/crosley turntable for drying and pulling grit from the grooves. The adapter on the vinyl vac doesn't fit on top of my hose either, but if I take the adapter off, the end of the vinyl vac fits tightly inside the hose of my shop vac.

[michaeld]

I was using spin clean and still got lot of pops from what looked to be very clean record. Added second step of water and and vinyl vac. No more pops or clicks and fidelity improved as well.