Ultrasonic LP cleaning

TroyD
TroyD Posts: 13,077
in The Clubhouse
So I have been intrigued by this for awhile.....

So I went the cheap Chineseum route with an eBay Vevor unit......

Ok so I got it, and it’s basically a rotisserie setup that’s made to fit a generic ultrasonic cleaner. As most Chineseum....the instructions are worthless but it’s pretty intuitive to assemble and YouTube has videos.....

Anyhow, I ran a half dozen REALLY scuzzy records through it.....ones I’ve cleaned on the VPI and we’re still pretty trashed. Particularly an early Abbey Road pressing that I’ve kept because, well, it’s an early Abbey Road.

Guys, this is a MUST HAVE. The improvements are not subtle. While it’s not going to turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse, it has breathed new life into these heretofore unlistenable records.

If you are serious about your vinyl....this is a must have. Now, the setup I have is cumbersome.....it was 250 and not a few grand....so I’ll deal with some inconvenience....
I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    However, cleaning ALL of my LP’s is going to take a few years.

    Ugh.
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • displayname
    displayname Posts: 1,148
    TroyD wrote: »
    However, cleaning ALL of my LP’s is going to take a few years.

    Ugh.

    Clean as you play and drop them in a fresh sleeve so you know what's been cleaned and what hasn't. Makes things much more manageable.
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,601
    Damn it Troy! Stop teasing us! I need links and pics! Right now I'm using the Record Dr. 6 which seems to work fine but am intrigued by ultrasonic cleaning for those vintage vinyl that I come across. Like you I don't want to spend a poor mans fortune on this...
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,053
    US cleaning has made a difference to me too. Even my casual listener wife made an unsolicited comment about how good the records are sounding these days. Adding a quat(I think that's what it's called) to my home brew cleaning solution has helped with the pops/clicks in the the dry winter.

    My rig is also a bit cumbersome but it was fairly inexpensive.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    So here are some pics in action….again so far so good. My only quibble is that the spindle that the records spin on doesn’t attach to the motor that rotates it as well as I’d like so it wobbles a bit. The stud on the motor needs to be longer….I’ll see if I can fashion a bushing or something….but, it works.

    adpqbwtmgf7j.jpeg
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,053
    Very similar to mine except I do one record at a time. How do you dry them? I take the spindle into a cordless drill and spin away in the shower area, then air dry in the dish rack for a few hours. Prior to and after the US cleaning I take a pressurized house plant sprayer and clean with distilled water. It's a fair amount of work but I have yet to clean any record more than once.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited February 2022
    Well, I’ve tried it a couple ways......

    I use tergitol in the bath so air drying is pretty quick actually.....but I’ve also dried a few batches on the VPI 16.5.

    I don’t know that using the RCM yields better results but it speeds the process for sure.

    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    That said, I could see myself ponying up for a Degritter or Audiosystemes unit at some point
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 1,960
    Is this the one you bought Troy?

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07L3G9TBS/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07L3G9TBS&pd_rd_w=OsZ1u&pf_rd_p=9fd3ea7c-b77c-42ac-b43b-c872d3f37c38&pd_rd_wg=LkWOv&pf_rd_r=1XTKC3HTFJ5RJ339DGWN&pd_rd_r=1b834f2c-1d37-41c8-8635-612b86b4792e&s=industrial&smid=A146ACYR7388WL&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyVzdRRjJLSDFTMzImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAyMDU1OTkxRElSNlpCTEhJWVdYJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1NTY2NDAyMEg4TlNDTlkzSzdFJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    Yes, I got mine a few bucks cheaper on fleabay but, yeah, that's it

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/273591962180
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • BlueBirdMusic
    BlueBirdMusic Posts: 2,309
    Here is another one on Amazon that cleans 10 records for $626. I posted a picture of this one a few years ago when it was first announced.
    x0ibcxlfmz5n.png


    https://www.amazon.com/iSonic-P4875II-MVR10-Ultrasonic-10-Records/dp/B07PT6HRNQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pb_opt?ie=UTF8&th=1

    _________________________________________________________________________________________


    I remember @Clipdat reviewed another model made by iSonic for Kimmuss Audio for the audio beaknik.
    https://theaudiobeatnik.com/kirmuss-audio-ultrasonic-record-groove-restoration-system-expectations-vs-reality/

    And here is an Audiogon post re the Kimmuss Audio unit.
    https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/isonic-vs-kirmuss-vinyl-record-cleaner

    xou5qgz6ji99.png
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,160
    muncybob wrote: »
    Adding a quat(I think that's what it's called) to my home brew cleaning solution has helped with the pops/clicks in the the dry winter.
    Indeed, a quat is a Quaternary Ammonium compound that is primarily used in for commerical/industrial cleaning, especially in hotels/restaurants/hospitals. It's a disinfectant, but also has anti-fungal, anti-mold, and anti-mildew properties, which can come in very handy for old records that have been stored in humid conditions, and might have one or more of the above nasties on them.

    But, the primary benefit of a quat for cleaning records is the anti-static properties, and the molecular layer of lubricant added, which helps prevent further static buildup from friction.
    muncybob wrote: »
    Prior to and after the US cleaning I take a pressurized house plant sprayer and clean with distilled water. It's a fair amount of work but I have yet to clean any record more than once.
    This 'rinse cycle' is likely the biggest benefit compared to a vacuum system that does not utilize a clean water rinse. Not doing a rinse is like washing dishes, clothes, or your body with soap, and then letting things dry without a rinse. I know, the vacuum theoretically sucks all the dirty water/cleaning solution up off the vinyl with the debris suspended in solution, but there is inevitably some left behind that dries as residue. I am a big proponent of some type of clean water rinse, preferably in a tank/reservoir. YMMV
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,834
    I was hoping the attachment for the records could be bought alone as I already have the ultrasonic machine (purchased primarily for cleaning... umm... fine metallic/polymer components? 'nuff said).

    I also have enough cleaning solution to last a couple of lifetimes, so all I really need is the record-holder-thingy.



    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    You can buy the attachments separate....check out CleanerVinyl.com
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • jonicont
    jonicont Posts: 281
    TroyD wrote: »
    Well, I’ve tried it a couple ways......

    I use tergitol in the bath so air drying is pretty quick actually.....but I’ve also dried a few batches on the VPI 16.5.

    I don’t know that using the RCM yields better results but it speeds the process for sure.

    Tergitol is a great product. But it needs a rinse cycle. Says so in the instructions
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited February 2022
    I do rinse it.......I've always wash/rinse with the RCM. That has always been part of the process, I've been using Tergitol for probably 20 years now.

    Sorry if I didn't lay out my process start to finish, I was just more commenting on the efficacy of US cleaning as opposed to just an RCM.....but, using the record rack, I remove the LPS from the bath....spray them with purified water, give them a wipe with a microfiber cloth and put them in the rack.

    With the RCM, remove from bath, spray with purified water, vacuum.

    My point is that they records in the rack dry pretty quick so, again, I don't know that it's that much of a big deal to vacuum them...

    That all being said, I've given LPs a quick clean and vac without a rinse....and I've not encountered any ill effects and, again, I've been doing this for a couple decades so I'm not SUPER worried about the long term effects of Tergitol on the vinyl.
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • maxward
    maxward Posts: 1,581
    Perhaps @doctor r can weigh in with his comments. I think that he got a Degritter when I bought his VPI.
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  • jonicont
    jonicont Posts: 281
    TroyD wrote: »
    I do rinse it.......I've always wash/rinse with the RCM. That has always been part of the process, I've been using Tergitol for probably 20 years now.

    Sorry if I didn't lay out my process start to finish, I was just more commenting on the efficacy of US cleaning as opposed to just an RCM.....but, using the record rack, I remove the LPS from the bath....spray them with purified water, give them a wipe with a microfiber cloth and put them in the rack.

    With the RCM, remove from bath, spray with purified water, vacuum.

    My point is that they records in the rack dry pretty quick so, again, I don't know that it's that much of a big deal to vacuum them...

    That all being said, I've given LPs a quick clean and vac without a rinse....and I've not encountered any ill effects and, again, I've been doing this for a couple decades so I'm not SUPER worried about the long term effects of Tergitol on the vinyl.

    I recall reading it could be detrimental to the stylus, not so much the vinyl
    DynaudIo Evoke 30, VPI Prime, Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII, PS audio Stellar phono pre, McCormack DNA 0.5 Gold, ARC LS-17se, Eversolo dmp A8, MIT AVT MA ic’s and speaker cables, ps audio stellar power plant 3
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  • jonicont
    jonicont Posts: 281
    I double rinse
    DynaudIo Evoke 30, VPI Prime, Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII, PS audio Stellar phono pre, McCormack DNA 0.5 Gold, ARC LS-17se, Eversolo dmp A8, MIT AVT MA ic’s and speaker cables, ps audio stellar power plant 3
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    Wear 2 condoms just in case? 😉

    My Dynavector lasted 15 years…..but again I’m pretty good at following the directions.
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited February 2022
    TroyD wrote: »
    Well, I’ve tried it a couple ways......

    I use tergitol in the bath so air drying is pretty quick actually.....but I’ve also dried a few batches on the VPI 16.5.

    I don’t know that using the RCM yields better results but it speeds the process for sure.

    That's a good number of LP's you're able to clean at once, my spacers are 1" thick and can only run 4 at a time. I've got the same tank as yours and a Spinner that a Club Member was making a few years back, that works very good also.

    I still use my VPI to rinse/vac as well. The combo works great for me.

    cfkkcokotzca.png

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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    I’ve cleaned 200 records in two days.....and haven’t even made a DENT...
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,566
    I have the degritter, I think it’s great. I believe there’s still room in the cleaning protocol for a vacuum however.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,741
    TroyD wrote: »
    I’ve cleaned 200 records in two days.....and haven’t even made a DENT...

    Your dog must be worn out!
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited February 2022
    Joey_V wrote: »
    I have the degritter, I think it’s great. I believe there’s still room in the cleaning protocol for a vacuum however.

    See, that's the question that I have.....IF I get the Degritter...would I still have a need for the vacuum machine? Meaning, one stop shopping.....if it's more convenient, I can kinda start justifying the cost.

    If the answer is no.....well, then, I'd get serious about moving things to get the Degritter.

    If the answer is yes....I'd stick with the current setup as if it's a two step process, well, it's a two step process and I can save a couple grand and just deal with a bit more inconvenience.

    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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