Almaz Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Good afternoon, I was wondering if I could ask the brains trust, ( said with the utmost respect), which fluid they would recommend for cleaning a record on a cleaning machine that uses a brush and vacuum. I would like to throughly clean my collection, and place the cleaned records in new inner sleeves before offering them for sale. I am after a good cleaner at an affordable price. That does what it’s supposed to do. Not the little bottles, more around the 1litre. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer El Tel Posted August 13, 2023 Volunteer Share Posted August 13, 2023 I am using the pro-ject cleaner solution with my Pro-ject VC-S2. I dilute it down to about 1:15 with deionised water. You can certainly buy it in 500ml bottles and maybe larger still. Results are pretty good, but I also do an isopro spray and wipe as part of my OCD routine prior to running the record through on the VC-S2 too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awayward Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Perhaps Melody Mate, Australian made and formulated. https://www.melodymate.com.au/ 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer13 Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 The are 2 i use most of the time, both because of their effectiveness and also because they are affordable: 1. Melody Mate 2. L’Art du Son 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrology Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Another thumbs up for Melody Mate - I have tried almost all the aftermarket fluids from around the world and this locally-made solution is by far the best. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volunteer El Tel Posted August 13, 2023 Volunteer Share Posted August 13, 2023 I didn't realise the Melody Mate was sympathetic to machine usage. I do use it as my spray and wipe solution of choice, but thought that the fact it includes isopropyl would preclude its usage with a machine. I seem to recall that Pro-ject suggest not using fluids with iso. But when did we ever pay full attention to the manufacturer, eh? I am now intrigued and may give it a go as I love to support local and it would mean I get through more of it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kafunis Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 Melody Mate here too. 10% off at the moment as well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrology Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 (edited) 16 minutes ago, El Tel said: I didn't realise the Melody Mate was sympathetic to machine usage. I do use it as my spray and wipe solution of choice, but thought that the fact it includes isopropyl would preclude its usage with a machine. I seem to recall that Pro-ject suggest not using fluids with iso. But when did we ever pay full attention to the manufacturer, eh? I am now intrigued and may give it a go as I love to support local and it would mean I get through more of it I would NOT use it in an Ultrasonic Machine personally, but no issues using it in the Clearaudio RCM. Edited August 13, 2023 by Hydrology 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almaz Posted August 13, 2023 Author Share Posted August 13, 2023 Thank you very much for all the replies and advice. Great appreciated. A true honour to be a member of such a wonderful community, freely giving time and advice. Thank you. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
audiofeline Posted August 13, 2023 Share Posted August 13, 2023 The general formula for record-cleaning solution is isopropyl alcohol (20 %to under 50%), distilled water (80% to under 50%), and one to two drops of a mild detergent (eg. dishwashing liquid without fragrances and other rubbish added) as a surficant (Tergitol and similar is one that is often mentioned). Different formulas are basically variations of the proportions. I don't think you can get them wrong, just keep the iso under 50%. And a word of warning - never use a solution with alcohol (or any other cleaner/polisher) that contains alcohol on sheallac 78rpm record - the alcohol will dissolve the shellace and instantly do permanent audible damage! Only use water and an mild detergent on 78's. Keep the alcohol solution for 33/45rpm disks only! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockfish Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 (edited) Another Melody Mate user here. I bought a bottle recently when I ran out of the Pro-ject fluid that came with my RCM based on recommendations on this forum and find it better than the Pro-ject stuff. Edited August 18, 2023 by Rockfish 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superfuzzbigmuff Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 I use AIVS, which comes in litre bottles - https://recordclean.com.au/3/20834/21625.html. A bit more expensive than Melody Mate. They do have cleaning fluid options that don't have IPA in them (enzymatic). They also produce a cleaning fluid for adding to ultrasonic baths (I soak second hand records for a bit in their Formula 15, then ultrasonic clean with their ultrasonic bath solution added - then vacuum). While I haven't used Melody Mate, I have used a range of other products (including Project) and the AIVS wins hands down - not sure how it would compare with Melody Mate however. I should add - I have no issue with using small quantities of IPA (and have done this in the past), I just find the AIVS enzymatic solutions to be more effective than other IPA based solutions I've tried in the past. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrology Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 5 minutes ago, Superfuzzbigmuff said: I use AIVS, which comes in litre bottles - https://recordclean.com.au/3/20834/21625.html. A bit more expensive than Melody Mate. They do have cleaning fluid options that don't have IPA in them (enzymatic). They also produce a cleaning fluid for adding to ultrasonic baths (I soak second hand records for a bit in their Formula 15, then ultrasonic clean with their ultrasonic bath solution added - then vacuum). While I haven't used Melody Mate, I have used a range of other products (including Project) and the AIVS wins hands down - not sure how it would compare with Melody Mate however. I should add - I have no issue with using small quantities of IPA (and have done this in the past), I just find the AIVS enzymatic solutions to be more effective than other IPA based solutions I've tried in the past. There's far too many options and variations of the same at that link for the uninitiated or virgin cleaner (which the OP concedes he is). I've used AIVS in the past (couldn't tell you which one) and its very good, but why not just simply make the best cleaning fluid you can? Why 4,000 variations? It's no wonder many end up just making their own fluids from easy-to-find recipes on the net! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superfuzzbigmuff Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 11 minutes ago, Hydrology said: There's far too many options and variations of the same at that link for the uninitiated or virgin cleaner (which the OP concedes he is). I've used AIVS in the past (couldn't tell you which one) and its very good, but why not just simply make the best cleaning fluid you can? Why 4,000 variations? It's no wonder many end up just making their own fluids from easy-to-find recipes on the net! Fair enough. I was just sharing my experience with Almaz to hopefully help him sift through the different options (I thought he was asking for folk's experience - but perhaps I've misunderstood). I'm not trying to make a case for using AIVS. My apologies for raising it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hydrology Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 26 minutes ago, Superfuzzbigmuff said: Fair enough. I was just sharing my experience with Almaz to hopefully help him sift through the different options (I thought he was asking for folk's experience - but perhaps I've misunderstood). I'm not trying to make a case for using AIVS. My apologies for raising it. No need to apologize - we are all allowed our opinions and observations and yours is as relevant and important as every other contribution sir! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 On 13/08/2023 at 1:58 PM, Almaz said: Good afternoon, I was wondering if I could ask the brains trust, ( said with the utmost respect), which fluid they would recommend for cleaning a record on a cleaning machine that uses a brush and vacuum. I would like to throughly clean my collection, and place the cleaned records in new inner sleeves before offering them for sale. I am after a good cleaner at an affordable price. That does what it’s supposed to do. Not the little bottles, more around the 1litre. Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards John John, I would suggest buying: a 5l bottle of distilled water from, say, 'Super Cheap Auto' a 1l bottle of 99% IPA from a chemist (Radio Parts also sells it!) and some Kodak 'PhotoFlo' ... or the Ilford equivalent. Make up a mixture which is: 80% distilled water 20% IPA and about 1% PhotoFlo. I used this for over 20 years with my Nitty Gritty - and it worked very well. Since switching over to a 60kHz ultrasonic bath, I use the same components - except the percentage of IPA is reduced to 4%. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonicArt Posted August 18, 2023 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Andy's formula is what I use, fotoflow is easy to order online, and if you go to a cleaning supply you will get iso much cheaper, my local had a special on a month or so ago so I grabbed a 20L drum for I think 90 bucks or just under. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steever Posted September 11, 2023 Share Posted September 11, 2023 (edited) My mix started out with 4L of distilled water and small measures of alcohol and Tergitol. I run long cleaning cycles of about 20-25mins in my ultrasonic cleaner and the water gets up around 35° which tends to cause any alcohol added to fume off. So, I no longer add the alcohol. The long cycle, warm water and tergitol mix does absolute wonders and rescued several finds now. A couple of times I’ve had to resort to a soft, wet pad to loosen contaminants deep in grooves. I do this after after a cycle and with the same solution. I then run another 5-10 min cycle. Overall, very effective. Edited September 11, 2023 by Steever 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almaz Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 Just a quick follow up. I have used Melody Mate for 5 months now. Fantastic product. Great recommendation. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer13 Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 3 minutes ago, Almaz said: Just a quick follow up. I have used Melody Mate for 5 months now. Fantastic product. Great recommendation. That's great, glad you like it. Can I ask where you purchased it from? Their website has been down for months and I need a refill now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almaz Posted January 20 Author Share Posted January 20 Apologies for the late reply. Just type Melody Mate in the EBay information bar. I’ve sent the link. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silencer13 Posted January 20 Share Posted January 20 20 minutes ago, Almaz said: Apologies for the late reply. Just type Melody Mate in the EBay information bar. I’ve sent the link. Thanks mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhouston Posted September 16 Share Posted September 16 Bought an ultrasonic cleaner. Its a 4L tank and Im using filtered water. What ratio of alcohol and water is best. I have seen two very different ratios. Whats the best? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steever Posted September 16 Share Posted September 16 (edited) 1 hour ago, mwhouston said: Bought an ultrasonic cleaner. Its a 4L tank and Im using filtered water. What ratio of alcohol and water is best. I have seen two very different ratios. Whats the best? Use a small capful of your chosen water softener (mine is Tergitol brand) and a full tank of distilled or demineralised water (distilled is best but demineralised is more readily available and still works). Adding alcohol to the water may have limited benefit as the water will be up to about 35 degrees after a 20 minute cycle anyway. Set to lowest rotation speed and allow a 15-20 minute cycle. Max 2 or 3 records at a time in this bath as you want space around the records. Remove them from the tank when done and set aside to air dry. This does wonders for almost all records, even op-shop finds. Edited September 16 by Steever 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted September 16 Share Posted September 16 11 minutes ago, Steever said: Max 2 or 3 records at a time in this bath as you want space around the records. Maybe not even 2 records at a time if your tank is a narrow one. When cleaning multiple records simultaneously ... for effective cleaning you need to allow no less than one wavelength: between each LP and between the outside edge of an LP stack ... and the tank wall. This means: 25mm if you have a 60kHz us tank and 38mm if you have a 40kHz tank. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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