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ARSCLIST  August 2009

ARSCLIST August 2009

Subject:

Re: Record Cleaning Machines, was: Fluid for cleaning 78 rpm records

From:

Ben Torre <[log in to unmask]>

Reply-To:

Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>

Date:

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:32:03 -0400

Content-Type:

text/plain

Parts/Attachments:

Parts/Attachments

text/plain (69 lines)

At 03:52 PM 8/14/2009, you wrote:
>You can do just fine with the lower-cost VPI, which involves you 
>applying the cleaning fluid and brushing by hand and the machine 
>handling the "velvet lips" vacuum system.

>One complaint I've heard about the VPI in various quarters -- which 
>is legit but can be worked around -- is that the cork turntable is 
>something of a collection point for grit from the dirty side of the 
>record, so then the clean side is pushed against this while the 
>dirty side is cleaned.

Gents;

I have had a VPI 16.5 since they came out.

About a few months into using it, I promptly realized that the vacuum 
motor would heat up to the point of tripping the thermal protector 
(thankfully that would reset when it cooled down) after about a dozen 
discs.  It wasn't unusual for me to come home with 20 or so LPs, so I 
modified it for a longer duty-cycle.  This consisted of drilling a 
few holes at the top of the motor compartment, and positioning a 
Rotron Whisper Fan at the bottom.  First problem solved.

Another annoying problem I found with the 16.5 was the nasty little 
habit it had with loading every disc I had with static 
electricity.  At the time, the machine came with this thin foam 
rubber mat; not cork.  I replaced that with a Discwasher D-Stat mat 
that was conductive and allowed the static electricity to ground out 
via the safety ground wire.  I also had to put a mess of copper tape 
on the pressboard "turntable" to allow it to ground out via the 
gear-head motor assembly.  Second problem solved.

I really wish they had used a decent grade of wood impregnated with a 
polyurethane compound or something.  The pressboard used for general 
construction is prone to expanding after contact with cleaning 
solution.  I found this out when after the first few months the lip 
of one corner started swelling.  I used to place the provided nylon 
brush at this corner.  I fixed that swelling with an old woodworker's 
trick of injecting glue into the swell area and clamped it 
overnight.  I then stopped placing the wet brush on the corner.

I found that the internal collection tray would often fill up after a 
vigorous cleaning session.  Got to the point where I had to rig up a 
small pump to empty it.  Really with they had bothered to provide a 
petcock drain through a piece of surgical tubing or something like 
that.  That's one mod I have yet to do...  but eventually.

Overall, I'm really happy with the service of my 16.5 machine.  Many 
a flea market find that appeared as though it was through a flood was 
cleaned with it, and the results were astounding every time.

My favorite cleaning solution ***for vinyl LPs ONLY*** remains 1oz 
Everclear, 7oz distilled water, and a few drops of Kodak Photo-Flo 
200.  I've done a few other variations with some industrial cleaners 
I no longer have access to, and achieved excellent results, but 
overall this solution has never failed me.  I've even substituted a 
half-drop of Dawn for the Photo-Flo for exceptionally cruddy disks 
and done well.

For clean disks with just a smattering of dust, I still use a dry 
Discwasher pad very carefully.  It really does work well for a light dusting.

Btw, I strongly agree with Tom.  Run the vinyl disk through the 
kitchen sink with warm soapy water first.  You will get a lot of 
stuff off that might otherwise be dragged across the soft vinyl by 
that suck-tube arrangement.

Hope this helps someone.  

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