[78-L] Best way to clean 78s

[Cary Ginell]

I do not doubt the efficiency of these methods, but in my case, "effective" means "cost effective." My records are stored in a stable, non-threatened environment and are not subject to further damage due to poor storage, humidity, direct heat, or mold. With the size of my collection, few records get more than one or two plays per year, so until I can afford a better system, I go with the dish soap and toothbrush method. It seems that my money is better spent on unworn styli and maintenance of my playback devices. For more unstable items, such as lacquers and acetates, I have a detergent solution my father developed for me; he worked for the Getty Conservation Institute and is familiar with the properties of materials made for recording. This has worked satisfactorily thus far. Using these methods, I don't believe that I am endangering my collection at all. As I said before, if I need something professionally cleaned for the purpose of using it for a reissue, I know where to go to have it done.  

Sometimes you just have to be able live within your means, and weighing a toothbrush and dish soap against a $4,900.00 vacuum cleaner makes this decision easy. 

Cary Ginell

> From: thedoctor at discdoc.com
> Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:01:54 -0600
> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> Subject: Re: [78-L] Best way to clean 78s
> 
> Hi Cary,
> 
> The Disc Doctor product you refer to is neither our wet cleaning brushes or our Miracle Record Cleaner.  You quoted the price for our stylus cleaner & brush
> package which actually contains 0.57oz. & the finest stylus brush currently available.
> 
> Effective cleaning of a disc phonograph recording can be safely accomplished by the application of a suitable liquid & an efficient applicator [or equivalent] to agitate the cleaning solution within the groove.  It has been repeatedly demonstrated that fluid removal can be performed both manually & with the aide of vacuum-based machines with equal effect.  Each approach has its merits; it's simply a user option that does not directly address the issues related to the fluids used for safe & thorough cleaning.  Personally I prefer the truncated cone of the Keith Monks/Loricraft machines to the vacuum wand & also like the economy & quiet of a 7" square of pure cotton high nap terry cloth.
> 
> Dishwashing products & hand soaps are not thorough cleaners of vinyl, shellac, lacquer or Diamond Disc recordings.  Furthermore these products ofter contain dyes, perfumes & oils that like their base cleaning chemicals do not rinse well from the groove.  The end result is that the disc is cleaner perhaps than it was to start with but it is not thoroughly clean.  The differences are audible.  All to often the residues left from incomplete cleaning are feedstock for future biological growth.
> 
> There are more effective ways to agitate fluids in a record groove than a tooth brush & painter pad.  To each his own.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Duane Goldman
> 
> On Dec 29, 2010, at 9:23 AM, Cary Ginell wrote:
> > 
> > I'LL SAY there are cheaper ways. The Monks unit costs $4,950.00 on Graham Newton's site. You'd better be independently wealthy or doing this for a living with LOTS of work coming in to make this unit worthwhile. Even Disc Doctor's cleaning solution costs $26.50 for only a half-ounce of fluid. I've used the mild dish soap/soft tooth brush/distilled water method for years successfully, for my own playing purposes. For mastering or restoration, I rely on the experts, most of whom already have more expensive devices. 
> > 
> > Oftentimes, I find nice condition 78s that have a greasy film on them from being stored for so long without attention. Trying to play these discs often results in the stylus being unable to track the grooves through the sludge. The dish soap method works great in removing this schmutz, often resulting in an E+ recording, since invariably, when I find a record in this condition, it's rarely been played. 
> > 
> > Cary Ginell
> > 
> >> Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 04:39:42 -0800
> >> From: rbratcherjr at yahoo.com
> >> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> >> Subject: Re: [78-L] Best way to clean 78s
> >> 
> >> For most records (including 78's) the Keith Monks record cleaning machine (there 
> >> are cheaper vacuum machines than this though) works great although I've cleaned 
> >> the really dirty records with a little dish soap, warm water, a toothbrush then 
> >> a dry towel. After that I clean it again on the Monks. Works for me.....
> >> 
> >> ________________________________
> >> From: Erwin Kluwer <ekluwer at gmail.com>
> >> To: 78-L Mail List <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
> >> Sent: Wed, December 29, 2010 1:43:45 AM
> >> Subject: Re: [78-L] Best way to clean 78s
> >> 
> >> Best way: Disc Doctor Cleaning Solution/ Disc Doctor Brushes/ suck dry with
> >> record cleaning machine... Another cleaning round with distilled water and
> >> another pair (clean) Disc Doctor Brush. Vacuum again..!
> >> 
> >> Erwin
> >> 
> >> On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 7:48 AM, Charlie Staab <pizzaxs at cebridge.net> wrote:
> >> 
> >>> Hi:
> >>> 
> >>> What's the best method to clean dirty 78s?  The kind that are found in
> >>> antique shops on the floor and underneath a countertop.  I've been told to
> >>> use soap and water but it seems there should be a less antiquated way to do
> >>> it.  Any opinions?
> >>> 
> >>> Thanks for the help.  Charlie
> 
> H D Goldman Lagniappe Chemicals Ltd. 
> PO Box 37066 St. Louis, MO 63141 USA
> v/f 314 205 1388 thedoctor at discdoc.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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