How I Clean Vinyl Records, DIY Pro Quality

My method for cleaning used vinyl records. I discuss making your own cleaning fluid. An easy to find cleaning brush. And using your home vac and some plumbing parts to suck up all the dirt and cleaning fluid just like a professional record cleaning machine.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Vinyl
• Record
• Cleaning
• LP
• Turntable
• 33
• rpm
• Cleaner
• Album
• Nitty
• Gritty
• VPI
• Okki
• Nokki
• Keith
• Monks

[stewie100]

those records you have drying there seem to have a light gray in the blank areas of the record, is that normal?

[SupraWes]

@stewie100 They are a very shiny glossy black after cleaning, I think the camera was just picking up the reflection.

[lagerdean1978]

Great technique thanks for posting. Would a hand held vac be powefull enough?

[SupraWes]

@lagerdean1978 It would probably be more time consuming with a handheld vac you might have to go around a few extra times to get it dry but It should do the job.

[duldul13]

Greetings from Croatia

I liked this video a lot

But I do have difficulties in finding some equipment here

Could anybody find me these paint pads on ebay, preferably UK?

Whose Carbon brush do you use? Audioquest, thorens?

Thanks, Ed Man

[MrAAA3330]

Looks like you've got a good process there. I use a Spin Clean, rinse with distilled water from a spray bottle, then vac with a similar attachment. Seems most of us use various methods, but what really matters is that you've found a process that works well for you. Vacuuming makes a big difference, but the commercial RCM's are just too expensive.

[MrBeaudatious]

Way to stick it to the man! The price of them machines is a killer. Good helpful tidbits here.

Been a painter for 20 years, never dawned on me to use them pads, thank you. I think I will however apply the fluid to the pad itself and not the record cause im sloppy and would douche the label. Question: you mention RUBBING alcohol. Do you mean isopropyl?

Use of the dishwashing rinse solution may be sheer genius. Now just need to mount a stationary cordless drill to the spindle there and voila

[ShudderProductions]

@SupraWes Sorry, my bad, just realised it's "Windolene" here in the UK and I figured it'd be the same thing, I think Windolene doesn't have any Ammonia in it, but thank you for pointing it out just in case.

[ShudderProductions]

@SupraWes Really? I haven't had any problems from using it

[SupraWes]

@ShudderProductions @spazzy4Twenty No, Windex has Ammonia in it which is harmful to vinyl, don't use it.

[ShudderProductions]

@Spazzy4Twenty Yes

[MathewArmstrong1]

Im new to collecting vinyl records and have been goggling and youtube'ing for stuff lots recently. Best video yet. Jealous of how good this looks and joules again of your clear passion for records and music.

[Spazzy4Twenty]

doesnt windex work

[GuessImJustASpudBoy]

Holy shit! 32,000+ hits. You da man! I thought you looked familiar when I came across this...

[ahgnfjie]

great, informative video!

[TheRocketSilo]

does this work better than the wood glue method ?

[lmOnlySleeping]

@SupraWes

what kind of brush do you use? Is there any particular brand you would recommend?

[DiddiLee]

omg you are concentrated! 9:15 luv it :)

[blueboyblue]

I think ou are using too much alcohol. Alcohol tends to make the vinyl brittle, how ever it is a good cleaning solvent, and help blend with the water and soap to make it easier to remove with the Vac.

I use similar fuzzy painter's pad, but start with a solution of dish washing liquid and a natural bristle paint brush. Stage 1 - brush with soap, wipe with pad, rinse with tap water. Stage 2 - alcohol & new paint pad, rinse with tap water. Stage 2 - rinse with spray of distilled water then dry.

[fatshoolaces]

Maaan, people do get obsessed about all the technical ways to clean vinyl...

Been cleaning mine with lukewarm water and a little dish detergent for over 20 yrs now. I just use a really soft sponge, go with the groove, obviously, and rinse off well. Dry with microfibre cloth.. They sound beautiful.

And i'm not listening thru a £20 plastic T.T. and cheapo stylus..

Ortofon OM30/VPI classic.

Clean your records as per this vid if it makes you feel better, but I don't see the advantage : /

[SupraWes]

@lurion This method I only do it once when I get a new or used record. After cleaning they get put into brand new plastic inner sleeves. I brush them with a carbon fiber brush before every play. They really shouldn't ever get dirty again if handled and stored correctly. This process also removes the static charge from the records so they don't attract dust like an uncleaned record does.

[lurion]

Great method! I'm going to try it. Just curious, how often do you clean your records?

[SupraWes]

@rusholmemike I am still using the original cleaning pad after 400 or so records cleaned. It shows no sign of deterioration. If the bristles start falling out or something I will swap it. I clean it with hot soapy water after every cleaning session. The pads do turn darker after they have been used so there is dirt in there. Its up to you how often you want to clean the pad, once every 10 or so records is fine for me.

[rusholmemike]

How often do you swap out cleaning pads? also do you clean them at all between uses?

I was wondering how much grunge gets into the pads from each cleaning - and does it build up and pose a risk of transfer to the "next" record?

[SupraWes]

@turntabliss I have too many old school hip-hop records that have been ruined by DJ's with "heavy" needles and skewed cartridges, sorry you guys are just in a completely different world than those of us who just want good listening quality.