Cleaning vinyl records

suspiciousminds

Anybody got any suggestions how to clean vinyl records without causing damage?
i’ve dug out all my old elvis vinyl, some which dates to the fifties but before i give them a spin i’de like to clean them up as some i havent played since the 80’s.

viz

I use “l’art du son” cleaning fluid. It’s great. 

suspiciousminds

Thx, just googled it - are u just applying it then wiping off etc? Kitchen roll, micro fibre etc?

BluesLover

Before vinyl became fashionable I used to buy cheap stuff in charity shops, my local ones were as little as four LPs for a pound. I bought loads! They all got cleaned in batches with a Knosti record cleaning kit. They're about £40 now I think. Recommended.

steveledzep

BluesLover said:

Before vinyl became fashionable I used to buy cheap stuff in charity shops, my local ones were as little as four LPs for a pound. I bought loads! They all got cleaned in batches with a Knosti record cleaning kit. They're about £40 now I think. Recommended.

Vinyl records have been fashionable for me since the sixties when I started my collection.

I use a Knosti too, it works for me.

jonnyburgo

What I do with my old mouldy vinyl is, PVA glue, soft brush, paint on thinly, leave to dry thorughly or use a hairdryer to speed the process and then peel off. wash off any excess under running water and let dry I swear it makes it virtually factory clean.

blobb

My old record dealer had one of them machines that gave them a proper clean. Everything I bought from him was spotless, he would clean my other discs for a pound a go. Might be worth seeing if any one local to you has such a device? Other than that PVA as mentioned above.

merlin

Yup PVA. I used to nick a bottle from the school art department or occasionally the storage room in the old block if the door was open. Big bottle straight onto my bag then clean my albums at home. 

TheMarlin

I’ve ordered an ultrasonic record cleaner, cleans ten LP’s at once.  

Also tempted to get one of these:
http://www.okkinokki.co.uk/

https://youtu.be/ShOv_0kWBwY

Cranky

Along with a proper cleaning solution, I have read that you can carefully use one of those "water floss" dental hygiene contraptions to clean vinyls.  I haven't tried it myself, though.

boogieman

I just rinse mine in warm water with a bit of washing up liquid and some rinse aid, then dab them dry them with kitchen towel. If they’re really bad then the pva thing works well. 

steveledzep

All a complete waste of time if you don't put the record in a fresh sleeve afterwards.

roberty

I got the spin clean record washer. Seemed expensive for what it is at the time but considering the use I've got from it I would buy again if I had to. It is good quality. I am fussy about the condition of my records, sometimes even if they look immaculate older records can get noisy from particles in the inner sleeve flaking off over the decades

TheMarlin

Alternative:

https://youtu.be/QTYJK24Cw4Q

suspiciousminds

 Cheers guys, well im trying a bit of pva on a spare disc first to see how it goes first.
i might put one of those ultrasonic cleaners on my xmas list.

Funkfingers

Isopropyl alcohol diluted in de-ionised water. Lint free cloth.

hollywoodrox

boogieman said:

I just rinse mine in warm water with a bit of washing up liquid and some rinse aid, then dab them dry them with kitchen towel. If they’re really bad then the pva thing works well. 

I was going to say this, washing up liquid and warm water works miracles 

strumjoughlamps

I use Vinyl Revival from Amazon which works well.

Some of my pricier stuff were treated to a run on a £4k+ machine that a local shop has, cannot remember the, German sounding name.

RaymondLin

This video has a few different methods compared

https://youtu.be/RIoaS8S4tLg

more

If thay are  bad you can wash the in warm water with a drip of washing up liquid . When dry or not too bad you can use a selvyt cloth . Selvyt cloths are used by jeweller , but if used gently will clean , records , CD. and DVD's.  

Rich210

more said:

If thay are  bad you can wash the in warm water with a drip of washing up liquid . When dry or not too bad you can use a selvyt cloth . Selvyt cloths are used by jeweller , but if used gently will clean , records , CD. and DVD's.  

This. I used to trade vinyl online and DJ'd many years and if I came across something nasty the best way is a bit of soapy water. General cleaning I use IPA alcohol. Just make sure there's nothing on the surface that'll cause a scratch before you start cleaning. 

I've not tried it, but I imagine a softish clay bar with a bit of soapy water would take off the crud you couldn't with a just a rinse and sensitive sponge. I might actually try that and see what happens!