Henry Rollins Vinyl tips.

msg

I was just realizing that I don't know the supposed benefit of heavyweight vinyl for pressings, so I went off on some quick reading. I found this article, which is bit of a long and wordy read, a bit of a struggle to keep engaged at times. Worth the read for the additional information and perspective, but the takeaway is this:

…180 Gram Vinyl is not magic, and it’s really not a solution to any major problem. It’s additional value and can represent higher quality production standards, just as well as it can be used by labels with extremely poor quality standards. It is very important to focus your attention on what really counts: Who mastered the record? Where was it mastered? What sources were used for the mastering process? Where was it pressed? And only then, secondary factors such as Vinyl Weight Grade become an additional value and a good reason to buy a vinyl LP.

Don’t let the 180 Gram sticker alone put you off buying a great LP… but also, don’t let it alone be the major deciding factor when buying a record. It’s not magic, but it’s not to be dismissed as “gimmick” because there are in fact many benefits to heavyweight vinyl pressings when that is part of a bigger picture of quality production that includes quality mastering from the best sources to achieve a result that is a better product in all areas.

From https://makingvinyl.com/180-gram-vinyl-what-are-the-benefits

jdjohn

One of the drawbacks of the thicker pressings is static. Vinyl is an insulator, so any static charge that gets introduced on a thicker record tends to stay there unless mitigated in some way. Of course poly-lined sleeves and carbon fiber brushes help with this, or the old Zerostat, but I like to clean all new-to-me records with a cleaning solution that includes a quat for its anti-static properties.

msg

What cleaning solution recipe are you currently using, Jody?

I forget, do we have a vinyl thread here? Maybe on one of the RCM threads?

jdjohn

Hey Scott, below is what I use. I know a lot of folks use ready-made cleaning solutions, so to-each-their-own.

Ingredients:

• Triton X-100 (standard grade...I don't know how many grades exist)
• Hepastat256 (this is the 'Quat', and this product's concentration is what works for my proportions)
• 99% Isopropyl alcohol
• Distilled water

I have a Knosti Disco Anti-stat, and the tank holds about 500ml. I use a large Pyrex measuring cup to mix the solution; the size of the measuring cup holds 500ml / 16 fluid oz / 1 Pint / 2 Cups. A smaller measuring cup sized for about 2 fluid oz / 50-75ml is also needed. And finally, a pipette of 2ml is needed - available at hobby stores and elsewhere.

In the big measuring cup, add the following:

• 25ml of isopropyl alcohol; measure in the smaller measuring cup, and then pour into the large measuring cup.
• 0.75ml of Triton using the pipette; it dissolves quicker in the alcohol than in water, so that's why we add it here; stir it around a bit. Rinse the pipette inside and out - suck water into it and squeeze out several times.
• 0.25ml of Hepastat256, again using the pipette.
• Fill the rest of the measuring cup up to the 500ml mark with distilled water, and stir.

This yields a solution of 5% isopropyl alcohol, 0.15% Triton X-100, and 0.05% Quat, which is a good concentration for record cleaners like the Knosti, Spin Clean, and others of that design. For an ultrasonic cleaner, use less Triton (0.25ml), which is the same amount as the Quat...again this would be for a 500ml batch of cleaning solution. Obviously for a liter (1000ml) of solution, you would double everything.

After the wash cycle, a thorough rinse cycle using only distilled water is also necessary.

If anyone decides to buy the ingredients and make this, you will quickly find that Hepastat256 comes in bottle sizes of like 64oz and up...you may get lucky and find a 32oz bottle. Using such a small amount of the concentrate per batch, these big bottles of Hepastat would last 5 lifetimes for just record cleaning. Luckily, Hepastat256 has another household use (its real use) as a disinfectant cleaner. It is used in hospitals and restaurants for this purpose. In a 16oz spray bottle, 2ml of Hepastat mixed with water is a good disinfectant cleaner (4ml for a 32oz bottle). It kills a host of bacteria and germs, and is easier/safer than bleach cleaners. We spray it on our kitchen countertops.

Clipdat

You lost me at "pipette".

msg

Haha, that's 'cause your vinyl care regimen is a couple of sharp blows and quick brush with a hairy backhand!

jdjohn

Ha..not surprising, Drew. I know you are a very 'low maintenance' audiophile

Clipdat

Pretty much. I have been known to use the tshirt I'm wearing to try to wipe dust off of a record before playing it.

jdjohn

Too funny. I *might* use my t-shirt to wipe off a dust-cover, but that's it. Cleanliness is next to Godliness...in Boy Scouts and in vinyl.

Clipdat

In related news, another record from Amazon arrives in their custom flimsy cardboard mailer. This is printed on it:



"Certified", eh? Seems like it would be a lot more accurate if it just said "Certified Frustration" and nothing else.

Because when I open it up and see a creased jacket, that's FRUSTRATING.

pitdogg2

Where does one buy 99% isopropyl alcohol at?

Clipdat

My local grocery store carries it:

jdjohn

Or Amazon.

msg

I ordered 99% from Amazon. Swan makes it in their regular pharmacy-sized bottles, or you can get lab grade.

pitdogg2

Best I can get is 91% anywhere.
Guess I'll needle my local pharmacies. I've never seen it available over the counter here. My sister company orders a gallon jug for the cleaning of the printing presses. I'm however not able to get ahold of any.

msg

99% was a little scarce for a while, I think, because people were buying it to make hand sanitizer.

jdjohn

Guys, PM me if you want a small amount (50ml or so) of Hepastat256 quat. Shipping/packaging cost is all I require.

pitdogg2

Thanks Jody that is very generous of you.
91% does work for my needs it just takes a longer soak than I think it would for 99%.

jdjohn

Happy to help, Ivan. How much is 8% of contamination worth to your vinyl collection?

pitdogg2

jdjohn wrote: »

Happy to help, Ivan. How much is 8% of contamination worth to your vinyl collection?

No vinyl here I'm 100% polycarbonate

msg

I'm confused - so what do you use the 91% for, and what are you soaking?

pitdogg2

Removing hot melt glue, flux and other residues Scott
My kid also uses it on his vape pens to clean coils

msg

Ahh, I see.