wet-cleaning brushes

[Al Dunbar]

I'm planning on making a wet-cleaning vacuum machine (or maybe just modify the crevice tool on a wet/dry vac). I've seen a lot of great projects on here for that purpose.

My question is about the cleaning stage. Specifically, what should I use for a brush? Are the VPI and Disc Doctor brushes worth the considerable expense? Is there a cheaper way (nylon paint brushes, felt, velvet?) that can be used to the same effect? Also, from what I can tell from small jpgs, the VPI and DD brushes appear to work on different principles. If folks are sold on the VPI brush, what is the difference (other than price) between the replacement for the HW 16/16.5 and HW 17?

BTW, for solution, I plan on using some as-yet-undetermined ratio of highly pure isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. I already have photoflow, but the negative comments have scared me a bit, and I might shell out for the Triton X-114.

Thanks for any input you might have; I'm ready to stop obsessing and start cleaning!

[woodturner-fran]

I use draught excluder - the brush type, not foam. For the cleaning solution, I use 75% water, 25% IPA and a small amount of rinse aid.

You can always do a distilled water rinse......


Fran

[Al Dunbar]

I like the idea, woodturner-fran, thanks. My theory is that just about any brush with fine bristles will work about the same, as I can't imagine that the VPI ones are so fine that they actually bottom out in the grooves. But what do I know?