Record washer

Oldlistener50 · 2189

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Offline Oldlistener50

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on: November 22, 2014, 09:00:22 AM
Is the record washer the best way to clean up my old record collection and ones I find here and there?  Or is there something better?



Offline fullheadofnothing

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Reply #1 on: November 22, 2014, 09:37:40 AM
I'm not familiar with the product. Can you show what you're talking about?

Furthermore, how many records are you thinking about cleaning? Are they all the same size/type?

Joshua Harris

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Offline galyons

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Reply #2 on: November 22, 2014, 10:48:02 AM
I have had a VPI HW16, (upgraded to HW16.5) since the mid '90's.  It has chugged along cleaning 100's of used records.  Simple to use, noisy and relatively large footprint.  In the hey day of cheap used vinyl, it made many records that looked absolutely unplayable pristine!!
Not mine, just a pic snagged off of the web!!
(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bobsdevices.com%2Fimages%2FP%2F918_vpi_16_5cleaner.jpg&hash=4d4dc7567f78c4d0877db85ec9ef4386502f38c8)

Cheers,
Geary

« Last Edit: November 23, 2014, 05:05:59 AM by galyons »

VPI TNT IV/JMW 3D 12+Benz LP-S>  Eros + Auralic Aries + ANK Dac 4.1 >Eros TH+ Otari MX5050 IIIB2 > BeePre >Paramount 300B 7N7 > EV Sentry IV-A

Thorens TD124/Ortofon RMG-212/SPU >Seduction > Smash^Up> Paramour 45 MQ >K12's


Offline Doc B.

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Reply #3 on: November 22, 2014, 01:21:53 PM
I suspect the OP might be talking about the Spin-clean record washer.

Dan "Doc B." Schmalle
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Offline Hank Murrow

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Reply #4 on: November 22, 2014, 03:18:19 PM
I have 1200 mint vinyl discs that had been in storage for 15 years when PB delivered my Custom BH Eros. A carbon fiber brush was adequate to clean these, but Acquiring new and old stock vinyl persuaded me to add the Spin Clean to my system, and that device seldom needed a second pass to clean down through any grunge. The Spin Clean and a modern stylus profile mounted on a boron cantilever for my BPS EVO lll yielded black silence and glorious music from a deeper ride in the grooves.

Cheers, Hank



Offline marantzfan

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Reply #5 on: November 22, 2014, 06:40:31 PM
I have had a VPI HW16, (upgraded to HW16.5) since the mid '90's.  It has chugged along cleaning 100's of used records.  Simple to use, noisy and relatively large footprint.  In the hey day of cheap used vinyl, it made many records that looked absolutely unplayable pristine!!

Mine mine, just a pic snagged off of the web!!
(https://forum.bottlehead.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bobsdevices.com%2Fimages%2FP%2F918_vpi_16_5cleaner.jpg&hash=4d4dc7567f78c4d0877db85ec9ef4386502f38c8)

Cheers,
Geary

Ditto.  The VPI is the only way to fly.  I started off doing it by hand, then got a spin clean and finally graduated to a 16.5.  One of the best investments in audio I have ever made.

BeePre, Paramounts 1.1, Eros, Thorens TD-124/AudioMods Tonearm/Ortofon 2M Black, IFI Micro Idsd, HQPlayer,  Altec 604-8G Duplex/620 Cabinets/Markwart Crossovers

S.E.X. 2.1, AKG K701


Offline JamieMcC

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Reply #6 on: November 22, 2014, 11:45:07 PM
I keep meaning to try the pva glue method as I buy the stuff by the gallon for work and there is some favourable feedback on the forums for this method. 





Shoot for the moon if you miss you will still be amongst the stars!


Offline Oldlistener50

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Reply #7 on: November 23, 2014, 09:34:54 AM
Yes, the Spin-clean.

Thanks for helping, I could not remember the name earlier.



Offline fullheadofnothing

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Reply #8 on: November 23, 2014, 02:19:22 PM
You asked if it's the best, and I can't answer that. I've never used one, but they seem messy and don't really do the full job. I'll go over my cleaning technique and let you draw your own conclusions.

I have an Okki-Nokki, which is similar to the VPI referenced earlier in the thread. I've heard the Okki-Nokki is quieter than the VPI, but it's still pretty loud. What I do is put a record on to clean, starting with side 2. I wet the record, turn on the motor to spread the liquid, then turn it off to thoroughly scrub (the scrubbing is VERY important). Then I turn the motor on, run the vacuum for 2 revolutions, and turn the vacuum off. I then wet the record, scrub again, vacuum for three revolutions, and dab off any major drops of liquid with a clean cloth near the label. Then it still needs to airdry a bit, so I listen to one side of another record. When I'm done listening to the first side of that record, I come back, wash side 1 of the record I'm cleaning with the same method, listen to side two of my other record while the washing one finishes drying. Then I sleeve the listening record, put the fresh cleaned one on the turntable, start washing a second record, and so on, stopping at side breaks to wash another side. Always put cleaned records into a fresh innersleeve, and mark the cleaned ones in some way (I write a C on the plastic outersleeve, but that's a personal choice).

The problem I see with the Spin-Clean is it doesn't provide a scrubbing surface (same problem with the Nitty-Grittys and similar machines). It also doesn't come close to fully drying, so you'll need to come up with a plan for that. A real record cleaning machine takes up less than 2 square feet and is self contained and doesn't splash all over the place. The Spin-Clean will require space for scrubbing, and drying and isn't a good option unless you want to do a lot at a time. Maybe someone will post who has direct experience with this device, but this is what I can see from what I know about it.

I'd say the Spin-Clean is a reasonable option if you have less than 100 records you plan on cleaning. Once you're into the couple hundred range, a vacuum based machine like the VPI or Okki-Nokki (and there's at least one more I'm blanking on) is really the only way to fly. If you're up in the thousands, or if money is no object, or if you just want me to be super jealous of you, get a Monks/Loricraft.

Joshua Harris

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Offline Grainger49

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Reply #9 on: November 23, 2014, 04:35:39 PM
This thread, started by a guy wanting hits on his video, includes a number of methods of recording cleaning.

http://bottlehead.com/smf/index.php?topic=801.0



Offline Big Al 954

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Reply #10 on: November 23, 2014, 11:53:01 PM
If you have a lot of vinyl and can get your hands on one, The Keith Monks RCM is pretty well unbeatable. They now have an entry level machine that still uses their vacuum system. I picked up a Gemini dual deck RCM some years ago at an auction at a radio station that was dumping all their vinyl and going totally digital
Www.keithmonks-rcm.co.UK  there is a US office and dealers out there.

They are really exceptional at cleaning vinyl and widely used by broadcasters and archivists, including the BBC and the Library of Congress. Worth a look.

Alastair Reynolds
Broadcast Radio Engineer


Offline roscoe primrose

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Reply #11 on: November 25, 2014, 07:42:59 AM
I've sworn by the VPI HW16.5 for years.  Highly recommended.

Roscoe