The Record Cleaning Experience

As I've noted in these parts, I listen to music in mediums of CD, mp3, and primarily vinyl. Sorry cassette and 8-Track fans. I go to great lengths to enjoy my listening experience. It's not just listening, there are tangible touchy feelie things involved. It's not just background noise though I'd be a liar if sometimes it turns out that way.

These are some of the extraordinary measures I go to when purchasing records, new and used. Going back to first getting records, the first thing I check after cracking open the cellophane is to see if there is a lyric sheet in the record. If so, oh happy day! If not, just a little more work listening.

The next thing I do is clean my records. Presently I use these things products. I use the no-rinse Quick-Wash Record-Cleaner, the Miracle Brush, the Audio Quest Carbon Fiber Brush, and the Disc Doctor's Stylus Cleaner. Though a record cleaner vacuum seems like a coveted item, I made one myself. Though many products of this ilk can be found with a simple internet search, most of the links I've supplied here are from The Needle Doctor. Highly recommended from this music listener. Call 'em with your order, knowledgeable music fans who are eager to help and share their experience, not to mention their favorite record spins, if asked.

Here is a rough sketch on how I made the record vacuum. The first thing I found was a motor from an old vacuum cleaner. I proceeded to build a box around this. I attached some tubing (in layman's terms, it's just black tubing I got from the hardware store) and I then used the curtain or furniture attachment and cut an 1/8 inch slit along the length of this piece. I sealed the end with some caulk and a small piece of plastic. I put some black felt (as seen in photo) on each side of the slit to protect the records. I'll cut new felt and replace it from time to time. I've used an old turntable that was from my teenage years (circa 1982!) as my work station. Do I feel like a bit of a shoemaker by making my own vacuum? Yeah, a little, but this system seems to work well and my records are clean and sound great. Maybe if I have enough nuts stored away someday I'll invest in a professional record vacuum, but in the meantime . . .

I begin by placing the record on the turntable cleaning station which is on my vacuum. I soak the brush with cleaner and work it in for a few revelations and then some back and forth half spins (per the instructions) for about 20-30 seconds. I then vacuum up any excess cleaner and dirt that is still on the record. I then let them air dry with any excess liquid that may remain though the vacuum seems plenty strong enough.

One other thing that I do is make sure all my records are stored in record_sleeves. I've gotten a little lenient on storing all my records in these sleeves because I've found that as long as they are in a sleeve, they seem to have adequete protection despite the claims made on the hi-lighted sleeve link. I'm a little selective in what records get the fancy sleeve and which ones get the factory installed sleeve.

The other sleeve I use is an outer album jacket sleeve to protect the record cover. I store the records so that the record won't slide out of the jacket nor the sleeve.

Another little thing I like to do that is more of a personal preference is that any little sticker or label that was on the original shrink wrap I cut out and retape it to the album sleeve. All these records as shone are in a sleeve with the original sticker attached to the new record sleeve.

The Carbon Fiber brush is used for everyday use before playing a record. This removes any dust that may have accumulated in just general record usage. It's gonna happen. However, if you don't manhandle your records or let Uncle Fester touch the grooves of the records with his grubby mitts, there is no need to vacuum and clean them again. Just use the carbon fiber brush before you spin each side. The stylus brush, well, it's just what it says. Clean periodically with the cleaner but as I said, if your records are kept clean, rarely do I get a fuzzy little dangle on my needle . . . hey, wait a minute. . .

Are these extravagant practices? Umm, probably. Is it a labor of listening love? Most certainly. One thing I found odd was that my latest turntable, a Rega-P3-24, suggests that record cleaning is over-rated despite the record cleaning company claims. This is quoted from the instruction manuel, "Don't worry about visible dust on the record surface, this is brushed aside by the stylus and any that collects on the stylus can be easily blown away. In general, record cleaning is overdone and one should not believe all the claims made by record cleaner manufacturers."

This thinking almost swayed me to thinking that I don't have to go to such measures (or at least moved my "fader knob" more to the middle) to have clean vinyl. Almost. I think it's in my system now. To borrow a current cliche in writing. The series of one word sentences to accentuate the drama! Must. Clean. Records.