Record Cleaning Made Difficult hosted by Michael Fremer

A panel of record cleaner manufacturers and vinyl experts will discuss the best ways to clean, restore and preserve vinyl records. We will discuss vacuum, cavitation and other methods as well as various liquid formulations. Each participant will bring fluids and be forced to drink to prove safety. An ambulance will be parked outside. Seriously, we will have an in depth discussion and attempt to clear away the myths and get to the facts about this very important subject.



Not a lot of love for tergitol.

that was a long and painful watch.

it's ironic that so many of these audiophile seminars are sabotaged by bad sound.

In amongst the occasional annoying talk, there was some somewhat useful info....

- Getting rid of 'release agent' from pressed vinyl - clean new vinyl before playing, not just to get better sound but also (i) to avoid contaminating your stylus with such compounds * (ii) to avoid 'burning in' factory contaminants from the heat of the stylus grrove tracing.

- The risk of Plasticiser removal from the vinyl, when using highish concentrations (say >10%) of Alcohol in the cleaning fluid.

- OTOH one benefit of using a chemical such as Alcohol as a 'biocide' to kill mould & such organisms in the grooves.

- Use non-PVC plastic sleeves for storing clean records - avoid the 'out-gassing' of (toxic) contaminants from PVC plastic.

- Many Platter Mats act as dust magnets & re-contaminate records (the Reso-Mat should get top marks at least, in that regard).

- 'Tergitol' detergent / surfactant should not be used with vinyl records.

- Ultrasonic cleaning (cavitation action) is the best way to clean - but Ultrasonic cleaning by itself with plain water is not good, because the lengthy time duraction required could be damaging for the record.

- If you are concerning about toxicity or have some valuable/delicate/archival type record, consider using an enymatic fluid (such as Record Time).

- The shelf-life of record cleaning fluids?

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