An interesting way to clean records

[flavio81]

Originally Posted by Binaural

The biggest problem I've seen with this method besides the immense time required, is the static created when the glue is removed. This pretty much defeats the purpose of cleaning the record if it's going to be a literal magnet for dust and dirt after the glue is removed.

It does create lots of static, but that dirt which is atracted after cleaning is much more easier to remove. Plus, as mentioned, removes fungus and dirt that i can't remove even washing with soapy water.

You can discharge the record using a carbon fiber brush connected to earth by a wire. Or just pass your hand over the record till you discharge it.

[angshudas]

I tried the PVA glue, it comes out well but the crackle seem to be still there. How can I ensure that that the glue pulls out all the dirt.

I am not sure if the glue is going till the bottom of the groove. Can one thin the glue with distilled water and put a thin layer first and then apply a thicker layer later.

Does any one have before/after sound samples.

[relder]

Originally Posted by angshudas

I tried the PVA glue, it comes out well but the crackle seem to be still there. How can I ensure that that the glue pulls out all the dirt.

...

Does any one have before/after sound samples.

Glue can't repair damaged records. The remaining noise may just be damage from various causes. I do dillute for easier application, but you should still use the same amount of glue as you want your dried film to be thick enough to stay together and not crack into dozens of pieces. The glue thread over at audiokarma.org has some before/after samples.

I use this method somewhat frequently. 98% of my LPs are used. I first clean with a VPI. If it's still noisy after a listen or two I put it in the noisy pile, which I then glue up in batches. It can't repair a damaged record. It can sometimes get some dirt out that other cleaning methods miss, even a VPI. So yes, it's hit or miss. Sometimes a waste of time, often not.

I found a Van Gelder stamped Lionel Hampton a week or two ago for $2. It looked OK but had a speck of cardboard stuck to it that I couldn't get off with a fingernail. Likely would have ripped my stylus off. Scrub scrub scrub on the VPI and some of the cardboard dissolved at the surface, but it was still a stylus killer. One glue treatment and it was now playable, but still heard some noise as the stylus passed that point where it was stuck, tracked fine though. Another treatment and the noise was lesser still. The rest is mostly dead quiet, a great sounding LP now. That's an exception, I mostly use it for noise reduction vs. repairs. YMMV.

BTW, I use Titebond Extend (not Extend II), which is hard to find locally (try woodworking stores), but it peels itself off as it dries.

Titebond Extend at Rockler


Rob