Record cleaning - what's your method?

I have not used a Spin Clean though did look at it when I was first thinking about going the vacuum route. What turned me away from the Spin Clean was my worry about about removing all the cleaning solution. It seems like most people have success with it once they figure out their process.

I have been very happy with the Squeaky Clean. Easy to use and does a great job. I can do about 12-15 records in an hour, not rushing. This includes doing several new records so I am taking off the wrapping and replacing the inner sleeve after the cleaning process as well. Not sure why you would want to do both methods at the same time. If you are going to do the setup of the Squeaky clean, then just do the the entire process. Plus if you are not quick in moving from the Spin Clean to the vacuum, I would be worried about cleaning fluid drying on there.
 
RowBearToe said:
And obviously there's a lot of love for SpinClean so I'm considering that as well, but I think it requires a manual dry? I think I want to avoid that but I'm open to that option as well. Anyone have any suggestions or thoughts? Thanks!
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I've only used Spin Clean and it works well for me. Method: rinse in sink, Spin Clean, rinse in sink, place record on microfiber towel, wipe both sides dry with another microfiber towel, sit in rack for a minute or two for good measure while I do another record, one more wipe with a third microfiber towel, done. Leave the fluid in the vessel, remove the brushes, rinse in sink and let brushes dry until next time.

Note that I don't buy a ton of records at this point. If I were always buying a large volume that I had to clean all at once, I'd probably grab a Record Doctor.
 
jamieanderson1968 said:
I have not used a Spin Clean though did look at it when I was first thinking about going the vacuum route. What turned me away from the Spin Clean was my worry about about removing all the cleaning solution. It seems like most people have success with it once they figure out their process.

I have been very happy with the Squeaky Clean. Easy to use and does a great job. I can do about 12-15 records in an hour, not rushing. This includes doing several new records so I am taking off the wrapping and replacing the inner sleeve after the cleaning process as well. Not sure why you would want to do both methods at the same time. If you are going to do the setup of the Squeaky clean, then just do the the entire process. Plus if you are not quick in moving from the Spin Clean to the vacuum, I would be worried about cleaning fluid drying on there.
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High Rant District said:
I've only used Spin Clean and it works well for me. Method: rinse in sink, Spin Clean, rinse in sink, place record on microfiber towel, wipe both sides dry with another microfiber towel, sit in rack for a minute or two for good measure while I do another record, one more wipe with a third microfiber towel, done. Leave the fluid in the vessel, remove the brushes, rinse in sink and let brushes dry until next time.

Note that I don't buy a ton of records at this point. If I were always buying a large volume that I had to clean all at once, I'd probably grab a Record Doctor.
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Thank you both for the insight! I want to go the vac route so I grabbed a Squeaky Clean just now. I'll report back when it gets in!
 
scotthilk said:
Spin Cleaners - one last question before I bite.

On the Spin Clean website, there are are a few different versions. Does the $79.99 model suffice? Looks like no differences in each one except the extras.

Thank you so much! @High Rant District @Joe Mac @oldschoolkirby
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You only need the cheaper but the more expensive $125 one would be where I’d go. The second pair of cloths is really handy and the extra fluid is a must because you’ll go through the 4oz really quickly doing the entire collection first time around.
 
Joe Mac said:
You only need the cheaper but the more expensive $125 one would be where I’d go. The second pair of cloths is really handy and the extra fluid is a must because you’ll go through the 4oz really quickly doing the entire collection first time around.
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Thanks man! I ended up copping this one.

Gents, anything else I need to know?! I appreciate it.
 
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scotthilk said:
Thanks man! I ended up copping this one.

Gents, anything else I need to know?! I appreciate it.
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Don’t use tap water, the minerals in it are no good. Get bottles of distilled/dionized water to clean with.

my routine is. I cover my dining table in cheap microfibres cloths that in wouldn’t use to dry with (a bit too scratchy). 5 spina in each direction (10 for used) in the spin clean. I have a cloth I each hand. Hold and rotate the record with one whilst gripping tightly to dry with the other. Rotate on each side until the record is completely dry (4-5) rotations I thsn lie the record in the cheap cloths on the table to air dry. A batch of 10 takes about 15 mins and 10 air drying.
 
Joe Mac said:
Don’t use tap water, the minerals in it are no good. Get bottles of distilled/dionized water to clean with.

my routine is. I cover my dining table in cheap microfibres cloths that in wouldn’t use to dry with (a bit too scratchy). 5 spina in each direction (10 for used) in the spin clean. I have a cloth I each hand. Hold and rotate the record with one whilst gripping tightly to dry with the other. Rotate on each side until the record is completely dry (4-5) rotations I thsn lie the record in the cheap cloths on the table to air dry. A batch of 10 takes about 15 mins and 10 air drying.
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Appreciate it! I heard some people saying they experience a lot of static after. What do you do about that?
 
Joe Mac said:
Don’t use tap water, the minerals in it are no good. Get bottles of distilled/dionized water to clean with.

my routine is. I cover my dining table in cheap microfibres cloths that in wouldn’t use to dry with (a bit too scratchy). 5 spina in each direction (10 for used) in the spin clean. I have a cloth I each hand. Hold and rotate the record with one whilst gripping tightly to dry with the other. Rotate on each side until the record is completely dry (4-5) rotations I thsn lie the record in the cheap cloths on the table to air dry. A batch of 10 takes about 15 mins and 10 air drying.
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Use distilled water in the bin, but I first rinse dust off under the tap. Portland water has low mineral content.
 
scotthilk said:
Appreciate it! I heard some people saying they experience a lot of static after. What do you do about that?
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I’ve only got static early days when I first got the thing. Since I perfected my routine I don’t. I think any static is not properly dried so some solution is in there. I absolutely don’t use gap water near my records, Ireland is a big lonesome basin, hard water lol!
 
Joe Mac said:
I’ve only got static early days when I first got the thing. Since I perfected my routine I don’t. I think any static is not properly dried so some solution is in there. I absolutely don’t use gap water near my records, Ireland is a big lonesome basin, hard water lol!
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If you're ever bored and cleaning your records, I'd love to see a video of your method. I've watched some on YouTube. I think just as a newb I am paranoid about a) messing up the labels and b) having super staticy records! I'm sure I will prefect the process, just trying to do front end research.
 
scotthilk said:
If you're ever bored and cleaning your records, I'd love to see a video of your method. I've watched some on YouTube. I think just as a newb I am paranoid about a) messing up the labels and b) having super staticy records! I'm sure I will prefect the process, just trying to do front end research.
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If I can figure a way to have my camera pointing and standing with no hands lol! Water doesn’t ever really get on the labels. At most the odd drop off the top when you first take it off but an insignificantly small amount. And dry it properly and crackle shouldn’t be a problem. Any coming off the cloths would be temporary and disappear after a week or so if stored in anti static sleeves.
 
scotthilk said:
Thanks man! I ended up copping this one.

Gents, anything else I need to know?! I appreciate it.
Click to expand...
Joe Mac said:
Don’t use tap water, the minerals in it are no good. Get bottles of distilled/dionized water to clean with.

my routine is. I cover my dining table in cheap microfibres cloths that in wouldn’t use to dry with (a bit too scratchy). 5 spina in each direction (10 for used) in the spin clean. I have a cloth I each hand. Hold and rotate the record with one whilst gripping tightly to dry with the other. Rotate on each side until the record is completely dry (4-5) rotations I thsn lie the record in the cheap cloths on the table to air dry. A batch of 10 takes about 15 mins and 10 air drying.
Click to expand...
Ditto re: distilled water.

I only do 3 spins in each direction, unless it is a very dirty used record, then I'll probably do some more (3 x clockwise, 3 x counterclockwise, repeat). After wiping dry as best I can, I use one of these to let them finish air drying.
scotthilk said:
Appreciate it! I heard some people saying they experience a lot of static after. What do you do about that?
Click to expand...
I haven't experienced much static ever since swapping to an acrylic platter. Anti-static brush before dropping the needle helps too.
High Rant District said:
No static, but after drying I put the record in a MoFi sleeve which is antistatic. Not all plastic inners are antistatic.
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Sleeve-City sleeves are good quality too.
 
oldschoolkirby said:
Ditto re: distilled water.

I only do 3 spins in each direction, unless it is a very dirty used record, then I'll probably do some more (3 x clockwise, 3 x counterclockwise, repeat). After wiping dry as best I can, I use one of these to let them finish air drying.

I haven't experienced much static ever since swapping to an acrylic platter. Anti-static brush before dropping the needle helps too.

Sleeve-City sleeves are good quality too.
Click to expand...

i prefer the sleeve city ones here. They seem sturdier? Maybe that’s just my imagination but they seem much less likely to crumple when you put them back inside the jacket.
 
What shop vac is everyone using with their squeaky clean. Mine doesn't seem to be sucking off the fluid as good anymore .
 
dbarila said:
What shop vac is everyone using with their squeaky clean. Mine doesn't seem to be sucking off the fluid as good anymore .
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I just ordered a Squeaky Clean on Friday and ordered this 3 gallon vac for $35 to pair with it. Obviously haven't received either yet, but it had good reviews and was relatively cheap.

www.harborfreight.com

3 Gallon, 3 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum

Amazing deals on this 3Gal Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
www.harborfreight.com www.harborfreight.com
 
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