We use the old Library of Congress cleaning solution (deionized water,
Triton XL-80N, ammonia, fungicide) to clean celluloid cylinders. We
use Webril handi-wipes or cotton rags, usually cleaning them while the
mandrel rotates. I think cleaning celluloid celluloid is desirable and
entirely safe.
In most cases we do not clean wax cylinders. If a black wax cylinder
is totally intact but dirty we will sometimes clean it. But if there
is mold damage you can very easily remove the data along with the
dirt. The haze on many black wax cylinders doesn't seem to be harmful
and is removed by the stylus. We avoid cleaning brown wax entirely--
it's just too easy to damage the grooves.
David Seubert
UCSB
On Nov 6, 2009, at 3:22 AM, D P Ingram wrote:
> Hi
>
> Has any one recommendations for a non-destructive cleaning solution
> for phonograph cylinders (both black wax and blue amberols) to take
> off years of surface dirt and other gubbins prior to some transfers?
> Some people have advocated water which sounds not the best solution
> but I welcome some advice from those more experienced with such a
> technique (as I am concerned about drying otherwise) and a general
> dry wipe would not clean sufficiently.
>
> Thanks, Darren
>
> ¦ D P Ingram ¦ Ab Ingram Oy ¦
> ¦ darren at ingram.fi ¦ www.ingram.fi ¦
> ¦
> ¦ MUSIC LIBRARY FINLAND - www.musiclibrary.fi
> ¦
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