SwingMan's elixir and method for cleaning 78rpm records

Been getting a few inquiries on how I get my records to sound so clear and rich and with so (relatively) little noise.

Well, here it is: From the cartridge/stylus I use to the cleaning method I apply before each play of each record - not only does it make for lasting preservation of records, but it gives you a little look into the stuff I do to prepare for each upload series.

I converted this video to HD to give you as clear of a picture & detail as I could, so apologies beforehand if it takes a bit to stream properly. And, apologies for the "scrunched" picture, but, believe me - it's much clearer this way. ;)

Just call me 'Uncle Swing', as I'm here to help as well as try to dish out a few smiles along the way. :)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• SwingMan1937
• record
• cleaning
• yt:stretch=16:9

[TheVideostunad]

Hi Swingman;

This is the BEST cleaning method i've tried.I'm gonna keep it.What a great way to clean them and easier than most other methods i've tried.Kudos Swingman! Sal

[SwingMan1937]

@TheVideostunad Right on, Sal - I'm not sure how it'll work on vinyl, but it does absolute wonders for 78's. :)

Remember: about 7 oz. of clear ammonia to a gallon of water. ;)

[grassulo]

@SwingMan1937 Also, my friend Chelsea who is a biochem major just overheard you say "it's not caustic" and she goes "hah, you bet your ass ammonium hydroxide is caustic! Just at that concentration it's just strong enough to get off the muck without destroying the shellac" She suggested I try it and reiterated that you got your ratio wrong (sorry, math geeks here!), guess it's off to family dollar for some parsons ammonia and distilled water.

[SwingMan1937]

@grassulo Yeah, I got the numbers crossed - for whatever reason, I stated the amount of clear ammonia for a 32 oz. squirt bottle as opposed to a gallon jug. I usually put 7-8 oz. of clear ammonia into a gallon jug of water.

NO on the distilled water! Filtered tap water is what I've used all this time and, for safety's sake, I'd stick with that.

I used to be a numbers geek, so shake hands. ;)

Thing is, this method is time-tested & it's far from ruined any of my 78's in 2 decades of repeat cleans.

[bujamal]

thanks for than man !! i will use your method to clean more than 300 very rare 78 dated back to 1930's shellac records for Bahrain Radio :)

Many many thanks, easy and effective.

[SwingMan1937]

@bujamal You're very welcome. :)

On more soiled 78's, you can actually use a soft toothbrush (in the same, radial clockwise motion) to great effect as well.

[TheVideostunad]

@SwingMan1937

Yes,Thanks so much Swingman.It's the best method and it gets the records really DEEP DOWN clean too! SAl

[grassulo]

@SwingMan1937 not to be a pain in the ass but a 20:1 ratio would be 6.4oz to a gallon. 2oz to a gallon is 64:1. I think I've owned one too many 2 stroke bikes in my time! I'm going to try this method on a few really just filthy 78s even though like in my previous comment, I was told never ever EVER use ammonia or alcohol on shellac but hell if it works on those I'll be sold.

[SwingMan1937]

@Condorsat10 My cull rate? Very miniscule. ;)

I've had great results with this method & elixir - no matter the condition, the records are markedly improved. I nean, there's no way to reverse physical damage, but this removes, virtually, all the dirt and gunk that's in there.

Take a look at what may have been an otherwise "culled" 78 in "Tin Tin Daeo" & Birks Works" by Dizzy Gillespie on DeeGee 3600 at my channel - had to use a toothbrush on that one, but some of the highs were indeed restored.

[Condorsat10]

Hi, you have been using this mixture for 15 years ... what percentage of old records do you find that won't respond to the cleaning ... groove damage ... too far gone ... etc. What is your "cull" rate? In other words ... two thirds are keepers ... discard the rest? Just curious ... I'm interested in your results using your method of cleaning.