How to clean vinyl records?

wdinc01 · #1 08-30-2010, 05:28 PM

I've searched around and have gotten answers ranging from an alcohol and water mix to getting a machine. I'm sure the machine would work, but I'm a college student. So what do you use/recommend for cleaning vinyl records? Some of the ones I have have dust and dog hair on them, so I need to get them off. I don't except to be able to get rid of scratches on some of the older ones, but if it works for that too that'd be great.

shadowtippy · #2 08-30-2010, 06:07 PM

Discwasher. It is cheap and has been around forever.

stratovani · #3 08-30-2010, 06:14 PM

Get a can of compressed air and a lint-free cloth. That should take care of things.

wdinc01 · #4 08-30-2010, 06:54 PM

Both good suggestions. I might try the compressed air first, just because its easier to get. I might order some Discwasher as well.

Nappa · #5 08-30-2010, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowtippy

Discwasher. It is cheap and has been around forever.

At first I thought you said dishwasher.

Selta · #6 08-30-2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

Get a can of compressed air and a lint-free cloth. That should take care of things.

NO!

*cries*

KeithBMI · #7 08-30-2010, 08:06 PM

Get some Gruv Glide. You can get it at Guitar Center. A mixture of rubbing alcohol and water will leave behind residue. Trust me, I'm a vinyl DJ. I've tried everything.

(Don't use lighter fluid!)

Discwasher is another popular option.

wdinc01 · #8 08-30-2010, 09:43 PM

I'll check the Guitar Center around here for some of that stuff.

Do people really try using lighter fluid? I've seen the warning a lot, and it just doesn't seem like it'd be a good idea in the first place.

stratovani · #9 08-30-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

NO!

*cries*

Ok, enlighten me. It's been almost three decades since I used vinyl on a regular basis, what am I missing here?

Selta · #10 08-30-2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

Ok, enlighten me. It's been almost three decades since I used vinyl on a regular basis, what am I missing here?

God kills a kitten when you do things like that.

Basically, you end up just shoving a lot of crap down deeper into the grooves. Not to mention the crap that can come out of compressed air cans

vene-nemesis · #11 08-30-2010, 10:53 PM

With this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MJT7...layer_embedded

Brick Top · #12 08-31-2010, 12:05 AM

Don't mess around if you care about your vinyl....google The Disc Doctor.

cassanova · #13 08-31-2010, 03:50 AM

Steel wool or a brillo pad.

mpm32 · #14 08-31-2010, 07:13 AM

Glue.

Seriously. Wood glue.

http://www.cratekings.com/clean-reco...inyl-facelift/

stratovani · #15 08-31-2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

God kills a kitten when you do things like that.

That's OK by me, I hate cats. But what are the Chinese restaurants going to do if God kills all the kittens? No more General Tso's Chicken!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray Salamon

Basically, you end up just shoving a lot of crap down deeper into the grooves. Not to mention the crap that can come out of compressed air cans

For your information those compressed air cans are as clean as it gets. I worked in the medical device field for many years, and we used them all the time. They're FDA approved, and if they weren't we couldn't use them. So they're definitely good for blowing dust and hair off vinyl records. A good blowing off, followed by a quick wipe with a lint-free cloth, and you're good to go.

Philbiker · #16 08-31-2010, 10:11 AM

Over on the Steve Hoffman boards there's a record cleaning idea known as the Kitchen Sink Method™ or KSM for short. Basically just clean them like you would clean fine china in the kitchen sink with tap water and dishwasher liquid. -VERY- carefully!!!! I've done it with very dirty used records that I've bought, with great results!

For cleaner records I use a Discwasher™ brush and fluid - they're only something like $35.

stratovani · #17 08-31-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Over on the Steve Hoffman boards there's a record cleaning idea known as the Kitchen Sink Method™ or KSM for short. Basically just clean them like you would clean fine china in the kitchen sink with tap water and dishwasher liquid. -VERY- carefully!!!! I've done it with very dirty used records that I've bought, with great results!

For cleaner records I use a Discwasher™ brush and fluid - they're only something like $35.

I had thought about that before, and it is a good idea, but I just want to add to make sure the record is dry - and i mean f-in' dry - before playing it!

buzzbass · #18 08-31-2010, 10:47 AM

I've used windex and a microfiber cloth with great success.

KeithBMI · #19 08-31-2010, 11:27 AM

Wood glue, as mentioned above, is a good option if you don't mind the wait.

MatticusMania · #20 08-31-2010, 12:36 PM

I just use the bottom of whatever cotton shirt I happen to be wearing.