Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
March 10, 2010 - 9:11am
#1
cleaning vinyl in the sink......
Loudspeakers Amplification | Digital Sources Analog Sources Featured | Accessories Music |
Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | Analog Sources Accessories Featured | Music Columns Retired Columns | Show Reports | Features Latest News Community | Resources Subscriptions |
I'm no expert, but I would guess your cleaning regime is fine, but I'd be a bit nervous about rinsing with tap water that has much mineral content.
You'd probably be better off using a Brita-like filter or bottled water for that.
I use something similar, but using Disc Doctor's solvent and brushes and distilled water. I'd worry about how hard your water is unless you had a way to vacuum dry to avoid spotting, which would mean some sort of RCM. The DD system works great when combined with distilled water.
No worries. No place on Earth is the water harder than over here, and for years and years I have washed my vinyl just like you did. The only thing different is that I hand dry them with a very soft cotton cloth, rubbing gently circle-wise on the surfaces. No residues at all.
I clean mine in the sink too, although with this
http://www.sleevetown.com/vinyl-cleaning.shtml
(THE GEM DANDY SYSTEM)
I havent used my fancy nitty gritty since I bought the gem dandy. it is much, much better.
Which bottled water is just very well filtered tap water? I forget, which is embarassing as I have a 6 pack of it next to my record cleaning machine. I use that. Although I am not so impressed with it that I can actually, you know, remember the brand! Mike Fremer suggested it.
Trey
Thanks everyone. Based on your comments I'm going to use filtered tap water for the rinsing phase and dry with a soft cotton cloth.
OUCH! Just had to toss a few badly scratched albums in the trash. Clapton, Van Morrison and Jackson Brown. Wish this collection was better maintained.
I spread out a clean, soft dishcloth on a clean portion of the kitchen table, put the wet LP on it, and use another clean, soft one for the circular drying process. Then turn the LP over and repeat. Works every time. Have fun!
P.S. Sad about the trashed records
Thanks for the recommendation - it's cheap enough that I decided to order one. I'll share my experience once I've had a chance to use the thing.
I don't own a RCM, but I can borrow my dealer's Nitty Gritty any time I like for the cost of cleaning fluid. However, I have to admit I've never been wowed by a before and after difference with the Nitty Gritty.