Record cleaning - what's your method?

Slimwhit33 said:
Just bought my first real record cleaning machine, a VPI 16.5. I've been using a spin clean since I got back into the vinyl hobby a few years ago. Looking forward to giving it a go and seeing if it makes a discernable difference from the spin clean.

Anyone else here have a VPI cleaning machine who's got any tips?
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I’ve had mine for a year now and the only issue that I have had was the vacuum tube provided broke within the first month.
I ended up buying one of these. The only downside was you can longer see the fluid getting sucked up through the tube. 😞

www.musicdirect.com

VPI - Delrin Pickup Tube

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.
www.musicdirect.com www.musicdirect.com

Other than that it’s been great. The vacuum part is noisy but it’s so much more effective than the SC. Enjoy!
 
Manzig said:
I’ve had mine for a year now and the only issue that I have had was the vacuum tube provided broke within the first month.
I ended up buying one of these. The only downside was you can longer see the fluid getting sucked up through the tube. 😞

www.musicdirect.com

VPI - Delrin Pickup Tube

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.
www.musicdirect.com www.musicdirect.com

Other than that it’s been great. The vacuum part is noisy but it’s so much more effective than the SC. Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Same, but mine lasted more than a year before it broke, grabbed the Delrin replacement as well (Old photo posted)
These are also the best replacement strips I've found
www.ebay.com

Okki Nokki/VPI Record Cleaning Machine Replacement Velvet Strips | eBay

I have personally used these on my Okki Nokki on several thousand records and never had an issue. Fit arms/wands for cleaning 12" records.
www.ebay.com
 
AnthonyI said:
IT'S NANO TECHNOLOGY!!! 😂
savouryeves.com

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Safely Remove Crackles & Scotches On Vinyl Records! Worry not about the vinyl records' sound quality due to crackles, the crackles problem can be solve by VinylPRO™ Crackles Remover - remove crackles from the vinyl record easily without damaging the surface of the vinyl record! Easily Remove...
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I can remove scratches from vinyl too. All I need is a belt sander or some epoxy. Voila. No more scratches.

Guaranteed to make your vinyl shiny and crackle free.
 
Quick question. Watching some YouTube videos and don’t see anyone doing any post cycle drying and wondering how dry the records are after the cycle runs completely? Can you play immediately or do you dry in some manner?
 
Slimwhit33 said:
Quick question. Watching some YouTube videos and don’t see anyone doing any post cycle drying and wondering how dry the records are after the cycle runs completely? Can you play immediately or do you dry in some manner?
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I’ve found the records are pretty damn dry after a couple of revolutions on a Squeaky Clean, I imagine you’d see similar results on an automatic unit.
 
Slimwhit33 said:
Quick question. Watching some YouTube videos and don’t see anyone doing any post cycle drying and wondering how dry the records are after the cycle runs completely? Can you play immediately or do you dry in some manner?
Click to expand...
+1 to @Manzig issue with the tube breaking. Mine broke within the first month as well. I find when putting the lid down I need to first push the holder down then lightly push the lid. Also make sure the tube is fully inserted into the holder as I’ve noticed it tends to slide out a bit from time to time. Just try not to break it 😅.

As for drying, you should be able to just pop it on right away. I usually watch the tube and when I see the cleaning fluid isn’t being picked up anymore then I know it’s good to go.

@AnthonyI recommended this for apply cleaning liquid and I would too
Amazon product ASIN B07MYT12HG
 
epyon415 said:
+1 to @Manzig issue with the tube breaking. Mine broke within the first month as well. I find when putting the lid down I need to first push the holder down then lightly push the lid. Also make sure the tube is fully inserted into the holder as I’ve noticed it tends to slide out a bit from time to time. Just try not to break it 😅.

As for drying, you should be able to just pop it on right away. I usually watch the tube and when I see the cleaning fluid isn’t being picked up anymore then I know it’s good to go.

@AnthonyI recommended this for apply cleaning liquid and I would too
Amazon product ASIN B07MYT12HG
Click to expand...

Same about the lid and the tube. Sometimes I don’t notice the tube until I go to vacuum and you can hear the difference in the suck.
 
Angsty said:
I think the rotational speed is largely about just getting the job done quickly. Since the thread also absorbs fluid and dissolved dirt, there really is no reason for the vacuum arm to linger on the surface.
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The faster the better, but seems like the trade off being a not insignificant portion of lubricant flying off the platter seems unnecessary. That’s all. The concentrated pickup is interesting compared to other RCM’s.
 
Slimwhit33 said:
So, fired it up, threw in a copy of Bab's One Voice which has always been pretty noisy, no matter how many times I put it through the Spin Clean. Ran it through the VPI and its basically click and pop free.. I'm pretty amazed. Now I've got a whole collection to clean.. lol
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Don’t you love how easy it is?
My first clean i said to myself, “I can’t believe how much time I wasted using the Spin Clean”.
The SC was very helpful in the beginning but once my collection started to grow I found myself using it less and less.
 
Manzig said:
Don’t you love how easy it is?
My first clean i said to myself, “I can’t believe how much time I wasted using the Spin Clean”.
The SC was very helpful in the beginning but once my collection started to grow I found myself using it less and less.
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It’s so easy. I will say that this ain’t one of the many audio items that one can sneak into their house. My wife’s initial comment was “You know you’re getting rid of that right?” It subsided when I explained that I would not be doing this with every record I play and that I would do them all once and then maybe semi annually. She was fine.
 
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