Cleaning Old vinyl records - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Bookman · 1st Jan 2018, 9:07 pm

I guess I am not the first to consider a form of record liquid cleaning device as a possible remedy for those treasured vinyl records and wished in hindsight that he had put one down on his wedding present list.

Even more horrifying if not embarrassing my wife suggested I use non fragrance baby wipes which would actually seems to work. So my question is what product/process could leave one believing that no matter what else is pursued in a domestic environment one could not improve the LP?

Clearly, the question considers that surface damage would be omnipresent.

Cobaltblue · 1st Jan 2018, 9:14 pm

there are literally dozens of threads about cleaning records.

Such as https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=126045
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=111358
https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=498882

To name but a few

Cheers

Mike T

Bookman · 2nd Jan 2018, 12:04 am

Thanks Mike - most appreciated.

Ted Kendall · 2nd Jan 2018, 12:25 am

This has indeed been covered many times, but the essential point is that wet cleaning, suction dried, is the way to remove heavy contamination. I'd seek out a Keith Monks cleaning service.

stevehertz · 2nd Jan 2018, 12:01 pm

I strongly echo Ted's recommendations here. I firstly toyed with the idea of spending £30 or so on one of the many wet bath machines. Then I contacted Keith Monks website and found the name of a local service provider. Basically the guy owned a KM machine and would clean records for a fee. The KM machine is, bar none, the best device on the planet for cleaning records. Cheap, wet bath ones are 'ok', but there's nothing like the precision and the suction effect of a KM machine - the dirt is actually sucked away, not 'hopefully' washed away. That's why the BBC have used them for years. Anyway, after I had my records KM'd the difference in sound was light and day, really.

Ekcoman · 2nd Jan 2018, 11:21 pm

Hand wash using luke warm water with small amount of washing up liquid, dry with clean cloth and play through with stylus a couple of times. Use dust bug to remove dust brought out of grooves. Works fine for me.

'LIVEWIRE?' · 2nd Jan 2018, 11:37 pm

I have often cleaned both vinyl and shellac records using lukewarm water & diluted washing up liquid, Ekcoman. Works well for me, too!

1st Jan 2018, 9:07 pm	#1
Bookman Hexode Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Taunton, Somerset, UK. Posts: 318	Cleaning Old vinyl records I guess I am not the first to consider a form of record liquid cleaning device as a possible remedy for those treasured vinyl records and wished in hindsight that he had put one down on his wedding present list. Even more horrifying if not embarrassing my wife suggested I use non fragrance baby wipes which would actually seems to work. So my question is what product/process could leave one believing that no matter what else is pursued in a domestic environment one could not improve the LP? Clearly, the question considers that surface damage would be omnipresent.

1st Jan 2018, 9:14 pm	#2
Cobaltblue Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK. Posts: 6,878	Re: Cleaning Old vynyl records there are literally dozens of threads about cleaning records. Such as https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=126045 https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=111358 https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?p=498882 To name but a few Cheers Mike T __________________ Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to Mike T BVWS member. www.cossor.co.uk

2nd Jan 2018, 12:04 am	#3
Bookman Hexode Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Taunton, Somerset, UK. Posts: 318	Re: Cleaning Old vinyl records Thanks Mike - most appreciated.

2nd Jan 2018, 12:25 am	#4
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,675	Re: Cleaning Old vinyl records This has indeed been covered many times, but the essential point is that wet cleaning, suction dried, is the way to remove heavy contamination. I'd seek out a Keith Monks cleaning service.

2nd Jan 2018, 12:01 pm	#5
stevehertz Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rugeley, Staffordshire, UK. Posts: 8,834	Re: Cleaning Old vinyl records I strongly echo Ted's recommendations here. I firstly toyed with the idea of spending £30 or so on one of the many wet bath machines. Then I contacted Keith Monks website and found the name of a local service provider. Basically the guy owned a KM machine and would clean records for a fee. The KM machine is, bar none, the best device on the planet for cleaning records. Cheap, wet bath ones are 'ok', but there's nothing like the precision and the suction effect of a KM machine - the dirt is actually sucked away, not 'hopefully' washed away. That's why the BBC have used them for years. Anyway, after I had my records KM'd the difference in sound was light and day, really. __________________ A digital radio is the latest thing, but a vintage wireless is forever..

2nd Jan 2018, 11:21 pm	#6
Ekcoman Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southend, Essex, UK Posts: 663	Re: Cleaning Old vinyl records Hand wash using luke warm water with small amount of washing up liquid, dry with clean cloth and play through with stylus a couple of times. Use dust bug to remove dust brought out of grooves. Works fine for me. __________________ "I really am seriously downsizing "

2nd Jan 2018, 11:37 pm	#7
'LIVEWIRE?' Rest in Peace Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: N.W. Oxfordshire(Chipping Norton) Posts: 7,306	Re: Cleaning Old vinyl records I have often cleaned both vinyl and shellac records using lukewarm water & diluted washing up liquid, Ekcoman. Works well for me, too!