How I Clean Vinyl - For Leftofleft

[fatshoolaces]

Noooo !! yr vinyl may look clean after this method, but if u could see it microscopically u would be horrified. u r scuffing the crap out of them with the paper towel n u r leaving colourings, preservatives, n other harmful substances deep in the groove. no prob if yr turntable/stylus are lo quality, or records are scuffed anyway, but on a decent set-up or mint vinyl u would definitely hear degradation.. various good methods out there but this isnt one of them.. lecture over :)

[dobyblue]

Titebond II wood glue cleaning method followed by a wet clean for the win.

[foxhound2000ca]

Ok I wouldn't totally agree with useing glass cleaner. As well I don't agree with going around witht he grove. I would clean them like a CD start from the inside and slide the cloth slowly and gentley accross to the outside of the record. Thank you for the helpful advise though. Not trying to shoot you down, but I wouldn't agree with the glass cleaner. Glad to hear you are a car nut though. Thats awesome! Other than that love your videos and thanks for all the helpful hints!! Cheers from Toronto

[UnchainTheNight1]

if you use paper towels, little pieces of the paper towels will stick in the grooves. as far as whether or not glass cleaner is bad for it idk bout that one im still using cos i turned to this video for advice years ago lol

[AlionXeer]

AHHHHHHHH! That poor record. There delicate things no paper towel (sand paper). No hand rubbing (put it in a cheap deck so you get correct circular motion). Buy some profesional gear (even if you use it worngly it will still half the damage your doing to them now).

[DarkAngelEU]

you have an iron needle? I have a diamond one, but don't ask me what's best ;)

[DoNotObey1]

ha ha B.S !!!

[geekwellparsnip]

idiot

[CjDj2007]

Nice video, straight to the point. Teaching us younger generation how to handle our Beatles tunes, Thanks mate.

[peppersax]

I use a little alcohol with a cottn ball. Works wonders. This has been proven with my collection. I have albums that are over 40 years old and still sound excellent today.

[dumapies]

i thought alcohol fucks up your records, because it dries out the vinyl

[peppersax]

@dumapies I guess I've been lucky!

[TheFRiNgEguitars]

I agree with oviljest on all points except.. the dampened dust bug dries very quickly, and then just pushes dust around the grooves. I've stopped using them years and years ago.. and just clean my records on a machine, or in a bath by hand with an o-ring label protector. For collectors who can not afford a machine, hand wash/ rinse/ dry with a lint free towel works wonders... no ticks or pops, and amazing fidelity improvement. You'll need a velveteen cloth for washing/ rinsing in the bath.

[oviljest]

As he's doing that it he's going against the grooves. No cleaning fluids are recommended for cleaning records really. A dust bug dampened with distilled water is the best thing for dusty records, may be some sort of special vinyl cleaning solution for really dirty records but try and avoid it at all costs. Also when you use a rag or cloth you often aplly to much pressure and go against the grooves.

[chiquisbaby81]

Would using a micro-fiber towel be better??

[seekah1]

@chiquisbaby81 I wouldve thought even an old T would be better than a fricken PAPER TOWEL??!! Im just gonna find a decent solution and a carbon fibre brush to finish off. Man, there all sorts of ways to clean em.

[gavbag1234]

Spray a vinyl record with amonia it sounds like Ricky Martin, regardless of what it says on the label.

[bpxdjcremo]

Hey Brian, Why does some DJ's play the records wet ? don't they get a rusty needle? grtz Pieter

[TheFRiNgEguitars]

@bpxdjcremo no, the needles don't get rusty LOLOL and it's called a stylus, not a needle! Needles were used on the old 78RPM grammphones with horns, and they liked having records for lunch.

Wet playing is for playing worn records or hopelessly contaminated records so they don't hiss and pop. Once played wet, it must always be played wet.

[dimebagdave77]

finally someone who knows what the hell they're talking about!thank you.like the way you described the old grammaphones eating habits

[misterplops]

Be sure to finish off the vinyl with a little detergent and by applying car wax.

[gavbag1234]

Perhaps some light sandpaper, for that groovless finnish.

[MarkPMus]

Ghastly! Please don't do this anyone. For a cheap way to clean records look up Disco Antistat or KAB Evo 1 on Youtube. In general record cleaning is over done anyway. You are best off looking after it properly to start with. Whatever, do not use household cleaning fluids on records. It will remain in the grooves and you'll have gunky dust in there which will ruin your expensive stylus and probably the record.

[christhesnaildriver]

Glass cleaner evaporates off completely and doesn't leave residue!

If it did, you'd get smeary windows! These record cleaning "Machines" are just a device invented for the sake of making money for the manufacturer. People got by just fine before they were invented. The only thing I do diferently is not use paper towel, as it may leave bits in the grooves.

[TheBoyarde]

I figured out a way to get the skips out of your record, but if you're an audiophile I recommend that you don't do this because this is risk-taking.

1.) when the record is playing, right before it gets to a section where it skips gently press your finger on the needle.

2.) repeat the process if it still skips. The needle will unclog the groove in your record this way--- it worked with mine.

3.) DON'T USE collector's item records!

[kurisux]

I actually just recently discovered this, and used it to fix my 1982 Thriller pressing.

It fixed the jump I had in the opening to Beat It (it pops there forever, however) and eliminated cleanly, my jumped groove in the opening to Billie Jean. :)

Album is basically in 99% perfect order now.

I agree though, it is risky, but if all else fails....

[salynredoran]

thanks for the tips!

[DJChrisLoot]

I use Windex and I think it's easier to clean a record while manually rotating it on the turntable, this way after the visible dirt is off, you can apply more pressure (gently of course) and get amazing results

[TheTexanAtheist]

you like sparkle girlfriend! =D

[cplhint]

Thanks mate,

excellent tip , in the uk use windowlene for

sparkling records ,don't use shit towels though as they break up

[midelato]

thanks

[DjStinkles]

i just wanna know if im the only one, but i am a scratch dj. and i also have very oily fingers. and over time(not even alot of time lol) the oil from my fingers builds up on my records. Its a hassle to clean. is there any tips on keeping my records from not soaking up the oil from my hands?

[wdharveyoicu]

use a latex glove?

[3KATE33]

WD 40 IS THE BEST

[divinejudge1]

Why not a rubbing alcohol?

[djvartan]

Rubbling alcohol works best and is better for your records.

[wdharveyoicu]

Rubbing alcohol is a chemical product that binds well with petroleum (vinyl) and should NEVER be used on vinyl because it breaks down the grooves.

[fatcatbuzz]

Rubbing alcoholi is very bad for vinyl.

[Diaz23]

Can I use windex to clean a record?

[wdharveyoicu]

yes

[polaracarmelo]

i always used this method and it's the best!

[JakeANowhereMan]

Holy Crap i was really looking for advice, haha i was like oh shit etheir im wrong or oh sh!t for this guy. haha Nice man good thing i read the comments. XD

[SlovenecSebastjan]

I use my soft t-shirt and no problems...

to get the dust off, well if you have some Nutella on it.. eat in the kitchen!

ww w myspace com/bastjan

[wdharveyoicu]

I LOVE a Nutella and vinyl sandwich!!! You could put a bagel there, somewhere!!

[33onethird]

Is this video supposed to be some kind of joke. I would never follow this advice. I hope you are better with your cars than your vinyl.

[briansredd]

Yeah, it's a joke.

Hey, someone asked me how I clean my vinyl so I told them. I get some pretty funky dirty stuff on crate digs. This technique has worked well for me. Perhaps if you have a better way of doing things, you could make your own video. If you don't want to do that, then perhaps you could at LEAST say how YOU would do it insted of just saying I am WRONG.

[Cavsfan12908]

@briansredd i use lens wipes, they work well too.

[briansredd]

Or, you could continue to leave nasty comments on other people's videos. I suppose for some, that's a bigger turn-on than actually at least attempting to contribute some usefull information that may be helpfull to others.

[blacksilverjose]

ilove vinyl thats for the tips

[vinylfind]

I would not follow this advice if you value your records. A VPI or similar vacuum record cleaner is munch more effective than a swipe with a paper towel! As far as fluids, you don't have to use the expensive brands. DIY with the purest distilled water, 91% or higher isopropyl alcohol (optional) and a small amount of surfacant. If you are going to use a household cleaning product, Spray n' Wash diluted 14 to one works great. Leave on for 3 to 5 minutes and vacuum or rinse thoroughly. No joke!

[wdharveyoicu]

a lint-free cloth isn't out of the question, as long as you are rubbing WITH the grooves...an album, you work AROUND, a CD, you work ACROSS...I think vinegar is better than alcohol, simply because alcohol chemically combines with petroleum products, and breaks vinyl down...

[reggie103]

is it possible w shampoo?

[vinylfind]

Rusty needles? Phono styli haven't been made from steel since the 78rpm era! It is good advise to not play a damp record, but for the fact that the liquid might seep up the cantilever and possibly damage one of many components of the cartridge.

[bctvguy]

What would be helpful is to actually hear a section of the record BEFORE and AFTER cleaning.

[AarmOZ]

Brian... I LOVE YOU!!!!! You are the only guy who does tell me to use some expensive specialty product. Instead you tell me you use something I have... oh, and I am a car fan too. Got a 2004 Pontiac GTO (Holden Manero CV8 for the non-Americans reading this).

[cygnusx211268]

Wouldn't the paper towel scratch the vinyl?

[redcomusic]

Bottle of white isoprophyl alcohol from the discount store: $1. Patch of corduroy material: varies or free. Cleaning your records the best possible way: PRICELESS.

I'm still kind of torn between corduroy or velvet. YOU be the judge!

[theefishlippedone]

velvet!

[johanvanc]

This is good advice if you only collect bargain bin LPs and 12"s. For collectors and DJs that actually want their treasured (and expensive!) vinyl to sound great and last for years, I'd suggest a bottle of vinyl record cleaner ($8-$10), or a $20 can of Gruv Glide which coats the vinyl with a beautiful shine, reduces static and even enhances fidelity. I LOVE this stuff, one can is good for 150 records (at least) and only needs one application, I even use it on brand new records.

[johanvanc]

Paper towels might be too rough and scuff up your records, I'd recommend a soft cloth or the pad that comes with Gruv Glide. If your record is REALLY dirty give it a light dry wipe first or you might grind dirt into the grooves with your cleaning solution.

[johanvanc]

Paper towels might be too rough and scuff up your records, I'd recommend a soft cloth or the pad that comes with Gruv Glide. If your record is REALLY dirty give it a light dry wipe first or you might grind dirt into the grooves with your cleaning solution.

[lenniebird]

Er - since when is vinyl made out of glass?

[airwatersun]

AVOID this advice at ALL COSTS! Uninformed, misinformation! Go to Audio Asylum for serious individuals and discussion on this topic..including appropriate formulas to use for cleaning. Yeah sure "fingerprints...that's not that big of a deal." If it wasn't so sad that some of you might believe this, I'd be laughing my butt off!

[666lexus]

thanx man but is it ok to use windex on a vinle

[amrjr007]

Good tip...I need to clean most of my Lime records...they have cocaine in the grooves from the mid 1980's when people in the dj booth used them to cut their stash ...how funny is that, talk about white lines.

[thetruerock]

sponge and water

[g0alpost1]

ahhhhhh papertowels

[sme4thorens]

I use HYDROGEN PEROXIDE 3% with a MICROFIBER cleaning cloth. The difference in sound is night & day!!!! I use 2 cloths one to clean the record and the other one to dry it quickly. WORKS GREAT!!! TRY IT!!!! It leaves no residue on the stylus when album is over.

[humboldtmyche]

I like your method I think.

[Dylan169113]

so whats your history with cleaning and playing records?? just wondering cause i dont wanna use a stupid cleaning method and damage my record(s)

[sme4thorens]

I been collecting & playing records over 28 years, and found this out on audioasylum under "Vinyl" great audiophile website. I been using this method for awhile with no problems at all, make sure you use a MICROFIBER cloth.

I have a nice Thorens turntable with a SME arm on it, great Audiophile turntable! Make sure you completely dry the record before playing,try it on a not so good record to see the difference it makes, I love the results!

I put the solution on the cloth and then clean it

[Dylan169113]

o yea so u use just %3 Hydrogen Peroxide or do u put it in water?? and how much do u put on the cloth??

[sme4thorens]

I use it right from the bottle (3%) and fold my MicroFiber cloth in half and put the cloth tight on top of the bottle and turn the bottle upside down so liquid goes onto cloth (it will be the size of the opening of the bottle), put record on a flat hard surface and move cloth clockwise on record (about 6 revolutions)and take another folded MicroFiber cloth and completely dry it before playing and then I use a AudioQuest anti-static record bush to get rid of static from cleaning. ALWAYS WORKS!

[Dylan169113]

cool im gonna try it!

[Dylan169113]

yea i did u wut u said (except for the anti-static brush) and it works great!!!

[sme4thorens]

WAY-TO-GO DYLAN!!! You can go counterclockwise & clockwise when cleaning, never go straight across the grooves always around. What kind of turntable & cartridge do you have? I would highly suggest getting the Audioquest anti-static brush gets all the dust & dirt off the record before playing & cuts static a big plus! Go on "audioasylum" and click on "vinyl" type in turntable or cartridge or question, it's a great vinyl website. My turntable blows away my cd player in sound!!!!

[Dylan169113]

kool thanxs for the adivice i will check out the site for sure

i have a vid of my record player on here but its just a regular player and stylus nothin fancy :) i plan on getting a better one in the future

[acarlisl]

3 parts distilled water

1 part >90% isopropyl alcohol

1 drop dish soap

brush with felt

[KingPhantomLives]

Do you know how to clean turntable needles too?

[ZeR024dog]

same thing for VDJ vinyls??

[zoethebrave]

Thanks for the valiant record cleaning video!! However, I winced when seeing that you used regular papertowels for the job! They are too abrasive for record cleaning and can cause damage like scratches and fill the grooves with paper residue. The best thing to use is lint-free materials like an old cotton T-shirt. You can also buy lint-free rags, avail. in auto shops.

[zoethebrave]

Another great cleaning product is Goo Gone. After cleaning and drying records is a good idea to put them into a new clean sleeve. You won't have to clean them again for several uses this way. Thanks for helping keep vinyl alive!

[djpitchperfect]

here lighter fluid, cleans vinyl to a shine and has anti static properties, very cheap also!!

[Flump5000]

really useful video. i just started to collect and i had no idea whats safe. i dont have that stuff but would windex or alcohol be safe? or do you know any other stuff i could use from around the house?

[TheMotownAmbassador]

i use rubbing alcohol and cotton balls and it always always works th best

[damusician]

so do i or windex

[vivathe90s]

Amoniac Free Glass Cleaner ... i '¡ll keep that in mind ! Nice vid , dude ! Greetings From Argentina !

[briansredd]

BIG shout to you in Argentina! Thanks so much for you comment and thanks for watching :)

[jasonlava]

I've always used Windex and had good results. I'll have to try some Sparkle next time.

[pagbuya1379]

Wow, thank you. I've heard and bought into too many 'hype goods' that do the exact same thing. Knowing that I could get clean vinyls without all the BS I pay for is a blessing. -peezoE

[leftofleft]

Brian! So sorry it's taken so long to reply! My wife is just about to have our second baby, So things are up in the air at the moment as regards time. Thanks for the shout out, Great vid! Thank You

[briansredd]

Are you a father again yet? I hope Mom and Baby are well!

[leftofleft]

Hi bri, yes! Girl 8lb 11oz, Everyone just great! :) keep up the great vids mate!

[briansredd]

Oh that's great brother! Congradulations! If this is your first girl, you are in for a treat for sure. They just LOVE thier daddys :)

[brettland]

good video Brian I have about 800 12'' singles i'm rediscovering and as they have been stored in a garage for about eight years they are covered in dirt only thing is i don't know what sparkle is in the UK.

[briansredd]

Just use something Ammonia free and you should be fine. I don't know why, but it seems like purple glass cleaner (whatever the brand) seems to clean very well.

[johngr2007]

Thanks for the info. Brian. I was just about to buy a record cleaning solution. You saved me a lot of money. Thanks. Yeah, I had left a comment about this on the myspace video. Good information and a good video as usual. Peace

[aldiakaroofus]

It's always a pain to keep the label dry, no matter what cleaning technique is used. I wish someone would invent some kind of succion cup thing that you could put over the label while cleaning the rest of the record. The time saved would be awesome!

[BigMilan]

eeek rusty needles - check! i'll never do it again. and i was planning on doing a video about what heppens with DIRTY records. lol so i'll post that as a video response here as well.

let's play a game since we're doing it anyway - i'll think of something and i won't tell you, and you make a video about it. lol :P

[Azsman610]

"Sparkle"? Even better then Windex? ;-)

[briansredd]

oh yeah!

[BigMilan]

i mixed windex and methylated spirits a few days ago, tore up an old singlet, and me and a friend went totally NUTS cleaning every bit of the interion on my truck. i couldn't believe the difference.

... next time i'll try sparkle

[ellaskins]

Good job!!