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Use a microfiber towel and distilled water. Dampen it at the start of a listening session and then wring it out until it's almost dry. Refold it for each new disc.
Buy a vacuum LP cleaner.
It's true, the new brush sucks in my experience. I bought a new one and switched back to my old one I was so dissatisfied. The new fluid seems to be just fine though.
When you set aside the occasional violent political rampage, Jan Vigne gives good sound advice (no pun intended). "Buy a vacuum LP cleaner" is an example. I haven't seen their catalog for a while, but Audio Advisor used to sell an effective one at a bargain price. They also had a very good applicator for whatever solvent you might prefer to use. Forget the Discwasher.
Once a record is clean using solution and a wet/dry vacuum set up (Nitty Gritty, etc.), interim cleanings with an anti-static dry-cleaning carbon fiber brush works very well.
Thanks for all the info. I've been playing more vinyl lately and man buying used vinyl is sure a crapshoot. Sometimes you get a clean sounding disc and other times you get ones that sound like they were played previously on record changers with tonearms that weighed pounds destroying the groves. We need more good old brick and mortar record stores that stock more new vinyl (preferably jazz).
Very true.
However I have been astounded how often a good cleaning can bring a neglected album back to life.
Elk, this is very encouraging as I hope to get working on my flood ravaged records soon. Only about 50 got the full water effect, so the number is manageable. Trey
I wish there was a classifieds here. Since I got my GEM Dandy system, Ive not used my Nitty Gritty RCM...George Merrill posits that the vacuum machines damage the grooves/lands of the vinyl. Makes sense to me.. that aside, the GEM just does a MUCH better job than the Vaccum Machines ive had. No contest.
and at 150 bucks.. no brainer
I have occasionally used luke warm tap water, dishwashing detergent, a soft haired brush and a very soft cotton cloth to dry the surface. Never encountered a problem.