Thank you, popmarter. Let me see if I can give you some answers:
Temperature - I checked the accuracy of the temperature displays on my tank using a candy thermometer my wife allowed me to use. Any thermometer that will cover a range of about 27-38 degrees celsius should work fine to check the display on your tank. I found my tank display to be pretty close to the thermometer readings. The temperature absolutely will increase from the cavitation in the tank, so good to keep an eye on it as you do multiple batches.
How long to vacuum? - two rotations, then stop.
My Rinse process - place record on VPI RCM platter. Squirt DI water from squeeze bottle storage container to flood the surface of the record. Turn on platter and hold a soft brush against surface of the record to provide gentle agitation - about 3-5 rotations. Vacuum dry. Repeat rinse using the ethanol/Reagent Grade water and a different brush dedicated to second rinsing.
The brush I use is a painting pad - available in the U.S. as a Shur-Line Paint Edger. The Amazon UK site carries a similar Shur-Line Edger here. I remove the wheels and cut off the sharp edges for a bit more safety in handling it near my vinyl. The pads are replaceable and have very soft bristles. I also use the replacement pads (cut down) in a different small holder that I had around from a commercial record cleaning kit. This smaller holder gives me a brush with a smaller surface area for the second rinse using the ethanol alcohol in Type 1 Reagent Grade water.
Pre-wash - I don't have a regular pre-wash process. Most of my records are reasonably clean; I typically won't buy abused vinyl. For records that seem to have a lot of dust or surface debris, I'll do something similar to what you describe. In my case it will be a pre-rinse on the VPI RCM just using water and a vacuum dry with a different vacuum tube than I will use for rinsing after US cleaning.
Temperature - I checked the accuracy of the temperature displays on my tank using a candy thermometer my wife allowed me to use. Any thermometer that will cover a range of about 27-38 degrees celsius should work fine to check the display on your tank. I found my tank display to be pretty close to the thermometer readings. The temperature absolutely will increase from the cavitation in the tank, so good to keep an eye on it as you do multiple batches.
How long to vacuum? - two rotations, then stop.
My Rinse process - place record on VPI RCM platter. Squirt DI water from squeeze bottle storage container to flood the surface of the record. Turn on platter and hold a soft brush against surface of the record to provide gentle agitation - about 3-5 rotations. Vacuum dry. Repeat rinse using the ethanol/Reagent Grade water and a different brush dedicated to second rinsing.
The brush I use is a painting pad - available in the U.S. as a Shur-Line Paint Edger. The Amazon UK site carries a similar Shur-Line Edger here. I remove the wheels and cut off the sharp edges for a bit more safety in handling it near my vinyl. The pads are replaceable and have very soft bristles. I also use the replacement pads (cut down) in a different small holder that I had around from a commercial record cleaning kit. This smaller holder gives me a brush with a smaller surface area for the second rinse using the ethanol alcohol in Type 1 Reagent Grade water.
Pre-wash - I don't have a regular pre-wash process. Most of my records are reasonably clean; I typically won't buy abused vinyl. For records that seem to have a lot of dust or surface debris, I'll do something similar to what you describe. In my case it will be a pre-rinse on the VPI RCM just using water and a vacuum dry with a different vacuum tube than I will use for rinsing after US cleaning.
Pop,
Hepastat 256 includes a red dye and fragrance. Many like to avoid these additives in a cleaning solution. The best alternative is to do without the hepastat in my opinion. Make up a batch of cleaning fluid for each cleaning session, and there is no need for a disinfectant.
For me, ultrasonic has always been about the ability to clean effectively with no physical contact from a brush, and to use fluids that leave no residue --- i.e. water and isopropyl. And a drop or two of very simple surfactant or detergent-- maybe. I would advocate a "keep it as simple as possible" approach, but recognize others may differ in opinion.
Cheers,
B B
Hepastat 256 includes a red dye and fragrance. Many like to avoid these additives in a cleaning solution. The best alternative is to do without the hepastat in my opinion. Make up a batch of cleaning fluid for each cleaning session, and there is no need for a disinfectant.
For me, ultrasonic has always been about the ability to clean effectively with no physical contact from a brush, and to use fluids that leave no residue --- i.e. water and isopropyl. And a drop or two of very simple surfactant or detergent-- maybe. I would advocate a "keep it as simple as possible" approach, but recognize others may differ in opinion.
Cheers,
B B
Popmarter, the key benefit of the Hepastat 256 is that it's an easy way to add some quats (short for quaternary ammonium cation) into the solution. The alternative is to use some quats directly. Somewhere in the following AudioKharma thread, the chemist (guest110) mentions different chemicals that are quats and can be used. Some are used in special formulations used by hair styling and make-up salons. Here is a search string for the chemist's posts where he mentions "quat":
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....ost&o=date&c[user][0]=194533&c[thread]=689430
http://audiokarma.org/forums/index....ost&o=date&c[user][0]=194533&c[thread]=689430
As bbftx points out, the Hepastat does have some extraneous fragrance and dye that we don't need, but it is an easy source for the quats which are a very effective antistats and a strong antibacterial agent.
If you don't have any trouble with static on your records and you mix up small solutions as needed, I agree with bbftx's advice to just drop the Hepastat.
But, for my cleaning regimen, I like to add a quat because of its strong antibacterial benefit since some amount of my tank solution or other moisture is going to hang around inside my filtering pump even though I drain it when I'm not going to be doing any record cleaning for a while. I'm not happy with the thought of that pump growing something inside it. The addition of the quats to the solution eases my mind about this possibility.
If you don't have any trouble with static on your records and you mix up small solutions as needed, I agree with bbftx's advice to just drop the Hepastat.
But, for my cleaning regimen, I like to add a quat because of its strong antibacterial benefit since some amount of my tank solution or other moisture is going to hang around inside my filtering pump even though I drain it when I'm not going to be doing any record cleaning for a while. I'm not happy with the thought of that pump growing something inside it. The addition of the quats to the solution eases my mind about this possibility.
So are the anti-bacterials such as quats ALSO anti-fungal? And do bacteria really cause much surface damage? I lived in the south for 9 years with my LPs and with no air conditioning. It got hot and muggy (it actually gets hot and muggy here in New England these days too), and I have a few LPs where I could see the mold on the surface even after cleaning. Pretty sure that's where most of my surface noise comes from and where most groove damage would originate, so I'm more interested in anti-fungal options than anti-bacterial. I also, honestly, worry about the proliferation of the use of anti-bacterial agents. That's in essence how we ended up with MRSA (resistant staph which killed my father-in-law).
Carlp, I just pulled out my container of Hepastat 256 to see what the label says about the uses for which it is formulated and whether the label claims it has fungicidal properties, which it does. The label states:
Here is a link directly to the chemist's post about using the Hepastat 256 in his record solution:
Record cleaning- you're doing it wrong! | Page 51 | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
Hepastat 256 is a concentrated one-step hospital use disinfectant cleaner that is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, is virucidal ... fungicidal and inhibits growth of mold and mildew... [my bold]
Here is a link directly to the chemist's post about using the Hepastat 256 in his record solution:
Record cleaning- you're doing it wrong! | Page 51 | Audiokarma Home Audio Stereo Discussion Forums
Thanks. I will try without first.
Interesting to see that I have read formulas (in my search for fluids) that some people put in a few drops of hair conditioner. Probably because of the 'quat'. My english is limited as it comes to really understanding those chemicaldiscussions.
Just something I like to share with you, now I have my new Andonstar microscope.
It is this one: 2MP USB Digital Microscope Video Camera Repair tool camera with stand US | eBay
(mine was a bit cheaper (50 GBP) as presented now, but anyway.... If you are interested in buying, check Ebay, there are several versions. Make sure to get the Andonstart one with a foot and vertical microscope, it is very stable and works very nice.
What I do with it? Check my stylus and lp's and... I dunno.. just stuff
Here are a few pictures I made from a dirty lp (1) and a clean lp (2). In circles are pieces of dust. Infact, every white spot is dust or hairs or whatever. I did not use the light from the micropscope as it caused some reflections. Instead I used a small flashlight.
1. Some "Wiener Bonbonniere"-LP which is my test-LP. lying around on the floor. This one does not come near my stylus.
View attachment 578009 Lead-in and bit of track 1
View attachment 578011 Track 1 going over into Track 2
2. This is a piece of 12" U2 single Angel of Harlem from 1988. Hardly played and good cleaned. Plays totally silent.
View attachment 578008 Track 1 going over into Track 2
View attachment 578010 Lead-in and bit of track 1
The circles is the reflection from the micropscope. Same goes for the white part on the left.
Hope you like it!
It is this one: 2MP USB Digital Microscope Video Camera Repair tool camera with stand US | eBay
(mine was a bit cheaper (50 GBP) as presented now, but anyway.... If you are interested in buying, check Ebay, there are several versions. Make sure to get the Andonstart one with a foot and vertical microscope, it is very stable and works very nice.
What I do with it? Check my stylus and lp's and... I dunno.. just stuff
Here are a few pictures I made from a dirty lp (1) and a clean lp (2). In circles are pieces of dust. Infact, every white spot is dust or hairs or whatever. I did not use the light from the micropscope as it caused some reflections. Instead I used a small flashlight.
1. Some "Wiener Bonbonniere"-LP which is my test-LP. lying around on the floor. This one does not come near my stylus.
View attachment 578009 Lead-in and bit of track 1
View attachment 578011 Track 1 going over into Track 2
2. This is a piece of 12" U2 single Angel of Harlem from 1988. Hardly played and good cleaned. Plays totally silent.
View attachment 578008 Track 1 going over into Track 2
View attachment 578010 Lead-in and bit of track 1
The circles is the reflection from the micropscope. Same goes for the white part on the left.
Hope you like it!
Can you get photos now of a record before cleaning, and the same one, same location, directly after cleaning with your preferred method?
In the meantime, I am confused about the amount for the ideal 'RRuston mix' presented to us on this forum and in the article. Not familiar with gallons (but liters), here is my situation.
My 6 Liter cleaner suppose to need 4.7liter till it reaches the fill-level. Now what to use in the mix?
Hepastat 256 is too hard to get, so I am skipping that. Triton X-100 I have found, but need to order. Iso 99,9% plenty + distilled water plenty.
Anyone in for making a mix? (in ml please). Very much appreciated.
My 6 Liter cleaner suppose to need 4.7liter till it reaches the fill-level. Now what to use in the mix?
Hepastat 256 is too hard to get, so I am skipping that. Triton X-100 I have found, but need to order. Iso 99,9% plenty + distilled water plenty.
Anyone in for making a mix? (in ml please). Very much appreciated.