[78-L] Best way to clean 78s

Wed Dec 29 11:38:04 PST 2010

Actually, the question was how to clean "dirty 78s." Not necessarily collectible 78s, but "the kind that are found in antique shops on the floor and underneath a countertop." These are generally junky records and do not have to be treated as reverently as pricey one-of-a-kind items. At least I wouldn't spend $77.40 for a pint of liquid to clean records that are worth 25 cents. Dish soap is fine for those. The "best" way for me to go to the grocery store is in a chauffeured limousine, but my 2003 Camry does the job just fine.

Cary Ginell

> Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:22:02 +0100
> From: ekluwer at gmail.com
> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> Subject: Re: [78-L] Best way to clean 78s
> 
> But the original question was : "what's the best way to clean.." (not the
> cheapest or most cost effective...)
> 
> Erwin
> On Wed, Dec 29, 2010 at 7:31 PM, Cary Ginell <soundthink at live.com> wrote:
> 
> >
> > 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 g
> >  o 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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