[78-L] Cleaning Query ... please don't shoot the messenger

[H D Goldman]

Hi Taylor,

Our standard answer:  "the disc dr.'s miracle record cleaner & brushes".  It's best that I keep my business related remarks to a minimum & simply suggest that you visit the web site cited below.

For what it's worth, I have a most number of 78s [primarily collecting pre-1940 recordings for listening pleasure only, save for a reluctance to not see 100 yr old material sent to the trash heap.  We use both a 1912 Columbia BNWM & an early Victor Credenza with tweaked reproducers, corrected tracking angles & a dwindling stash of 2 versions of Swiss needles that were available with a designed preference for acoustic vs. electrically recorded discs.  The results of such an approach bear little resemblance  to stock machines using currently available steel needles.  Under these restraints, contrary to common opinion, it is possible to enjoy repeated playback of common recordings with minimal wear.

Regards,

Duane Goldman 

On Mar 16, 2010, at 2:15 PM, Taylor Bowie wrote:

> Duane,
> 
> What do you suggest for cleaning of 78s?
> 
> Taylor
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "H D Goldman" <thedoctor at discdoc.com>
> To: "78-L Mail List" <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 12:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [78-L] Cleaning Query.
> 
> 
>> Hi Earl,
>> 
>> What should be realized when considering record cleaning options are the 
>> safety & thoroughness of a given method.  Household soaps & detergents are 
>> not thorough & leave residues even with simply rinsing.  The residues 
>> effect playback quality & often serve as feed stock for biological growth.
>> 
>> While ammonia solutions such a Windex will aide in the removal of some 
>> contaminants, such as palmitic acid, they are poor at removing common 
>> contaminants such as finger oils.  This can easily be demonstrated by 
>> applying hand oils to a glass surface & allowing them to age at room 
>> temperature for several weeks.  Flooding the glass surface with a typical 
>> household ammonia solution without a rag & elbow grease will not 
>> thoroughly remove the oils; & bugs love such oils.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> 
>> Duane Goldman
>> 
>> On Mar 16, 2010, at 5:07 AM, Spats wrote:
>>> Hi!
>>> 
>>> Can someone remind me of the best way of cleaning lacquer and acetate
>>> records, please.
>>> 
>>> Earl.

H D Goldman Lagniappe Chemicals Ltd. 
PO Box 37066 St. Louis, MO 63141 USA
v/f 314 205 1388 thedoctor at discdoc.com