Re: [ARSCLIST] Cleaning of grooved discs

[Roderic G Stephens <savecal@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have found that Disc Doctor's process and brushes have worked well in cleaning both transcriptions, 78s and LPs, but I'm surprised that Marcos has had trouble with the brushes.   

In my understanding, they should not be used "vigorously", ever.   I think the instructions mean that one is supposed to guide the brush back and forth in semicircular motions to spread the cleaner in the first process.   Light pressure to almost none is necessary for this part; you're really just guiding the brush go around the disk in about three swipes, back and forth in the direction of the grooves.   Then, after using cotton swatches to soak up most but not all of the cleaner, you use the second brush to apply and spread the distilled water in the same manner until the surface is almost dry and then gently wipe up the remainder of the moisture with toilet paper.   

I find the whole process is very gentle and not at all abrasive, and I've found the brush felts have lasted quite a long time (spares are included, however, should you need them).

Rod Stephens


--- On Thu, 1/22/09, Marcos Sueiro Bal <tierecords@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: Marcos Sueiro Bal <tierecords@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [ARSCLIST] Cleaning of grooved discs
> To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Thursday, January 22, 2009, 12:27 PM
> Hola Margarida,
> 
> I know a few institutions use Disc Doctor's miracle
> record cleaner. It
> has the advantage of being safe for vinyl, shellac and
> lacquer discs.
> However, I am not crazy about the brushes they sell --you
> have to be
> careful, or they may shed fibers when used vigorously.
> http://www.discdoc.com
> 
> The standard cleaning machine is of course the Keith Monks
> machine.
> Although expensive, everyone seems to agree that it pays
> for itself
> for very large jobs.
> http://www.keithmonks-rcm.co.uk/
> 
> Sort,
> 
> Marc Sueiro
> 
> On 1/22/09, Margarida Ullate Estanyol
> <mullate@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Dear Listmembers,
> >
> >
> >
> > The Biblioteca de Catalunya in Barcelona (Spain) has
> been using Nitty
> > Gritty cleaning fluids Pure1 (78 rpm) and Pure2
> (vinyls) and machines
> > for many years, with pretty good results. In addition
> to our experience,
> > our Preservation team is trying to gather all
> recommendations regarding
> > the process of cleaning, and we'd very much
> appreciate yours.
> >
> >
> >
> > We are not quite satisfied with Nitty Gritty services
> in Spain, so we
> > stopped buying them. Our cleaning machine is now
> Clearaudio SMART
> > MATRIX, but we still used Nitty Gritty fluids, applied
> manually on the
> > discs surface.
> >
> >
> >
> > We gathered many information from specialised
> bibliography. Nitty Gritty
> > in the USA kindky sent to us the components of both
> fluids Pure 1 and 2.
> > But we would like to ask ARSC members about their
> experience in cleaning
> > old 78's, acetates, lacquer discs and vinyls.
> >
> >
> >
> > In orther not to bother the list with this, you could
> send the answers
> > to the e-mail stated below.
> >
> >
> >
> > Many thanks in advance,
> >
> >
> >
> > Margarida Ullate i Estanyol
> >
> > Fonoteca
> >
> > Biblioteca de Catalunya
> >
> > Hospital, 56
> >
> > 08001 Barcelona
> >
> > +34 93270 2300 (2166)
> >
> > mullate@xxxxxxx
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> 
> 
> -- 
> Marcos Sueiro Bal
> Audio Engineer
> 718.902.7441