"Last" record cleaner and cartridge suspension.

Jonathan Bright · 21st June 2004, 10:33 AM

I am about bring an old "Stanton" cartridge out of retirement and I have been told that the suspension will have become dried and stiff. I can also remember reading somewhere that a drop of "Last" record cleaner/preserver will help restore the elasticity of the suspension. Is this true or an unban myth? Does anyone have any experince /advice on this area?
Jonathan Bright

sreten · 21st June 2004, 10:44 AM

a) is impossible to say for a particular cartridge, it happens to
some, i wouldn't call it drying out, it chemical degradation, just
like what happens to some foam speaker surrounds, or natural
rubber which hardens over time.

b) if the suspension has degraded it can't be restored IMO.

sreten.

dnsey · 21st June 2004, 12:27 PM

It might be worth trying the silicone oil sold for renovating car trim, etc. The stuff I use is called 'Black Pack', and it does wonders for 'dried out' vintage turntable mats, making them supple and elastic once more.
I MUST STRESS, though that I haven't tried it on cartridge suspensions!

Jonathan Bright · 21st June 2004, 12:39 PM

Thanks for that. It's a thoughtful idea. I know it's a "long shot" but I would still be interested in anyone who has had experience with the "Last" treatment. But all suggestions gratefully received. Any other ideas. The cartridge is a Stanton 681 which was quite good in its day which was over 25 yrs ago now. Jonathan Bright

The Peasant · 21st June 2004, 02:19 PM

I don't know about Last itself, but their stylus treatment fluid, "Stylast" is reputed to help keep cartridge suspensions from drying out when used regularly. As far as actually restoring a dried out cartridge, I haven't heard this.

Hope this helps,
Doug

Jonathan Bright · 21st June 2004, 09:15 PM

Dear E.Peasant. Thanks. That may well be the info' I had previously heard. I see you're a new arrival to DIY, welcome aboard. Jonathan.

makinson1 · 4th May 2007, 12:21 AM

Radio Shack used to have a liquid that was supposed to rejuvinate rubber belts and idler wheels. I'd avoid anything that has silicone in it. Except Pandora Peak's rack, of course :-)
BTW, Plastic is either thermoplastic or thermosetting. Thermoplastic flows when heated. Thermosetting just turns to ash. Any polymer engineers out there?

hailteflon · 4th May 2007, 12:57 AM

If the elastomer is degrading a chemicle may accelerate it.

I have many new stylii that are 20 and even 30 years old. They work fine. If it has been in a box then that helps alot, especially if it has been in a box with other synthetic materials. They seem to "outgas" and keep one another young.

I have a Stanton 500 that tracks at 2 grams. I bought several stylii from a broadcast supply over ten years ago and they were probably over 15 years ago then. They are still like new.

In fact I have many Empire, Stanton, and Shure that are still NIB. All of them have retained compliance. Best Regards, Mark

21st June 2004, 10:33 AM	#1
Jonathan Bright diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Queensland	"Last" record cleaner and cartridge suspension. I am about bring an old "Stanton" cartridge out of retirement and I have been told that the suspension will have become dried and stiff. I can also remember reading somewhere that a drop of "Last" record cleaner/preserver will help restore the elasticity of the suspension. Is this true or an unban myth? Does anyone have any experince /advice on this area? Jonathan Bright __________________ "It was the Spring time of the year when aunt calls to aunt like mastodons across the frozen waste." P.G. Wodehouse.

21st June 2004, 12:39 PM	#4
Jonathan Bright diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Queensland	Thanks for that. It's a thoughtful idea. I know it's a "long shot" but I would still be interested in anyone who has had experience with the "Last" treatment. But all suggestions gratefully received. Any other ideas. The cartridge is a Stanton 681 which was quite good in its day which was over 25 yrs ago now. Jonathan Bright __________________ "It was the Spring time of the year when aunt calls to aunt like mastodons across the frozen waste." P.G. Wodehouse.

21st June 2004, 02:19 PM	#5
The Peasant diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sunny Alberta	I don't know about Last itself, but their stylus treatment fluid, "Stylast" is reputed to help keep cartridge suspensions from drying out when used regularly. As far as actually restoring a dried out cartridge, I haven't heard this. Hope this helps, Doug __________________ The Electronic Peasant www.electronicpeasant.com

21st June 2004, 09:15 PM	#6
Jonathan Bright diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Queensland	Dear E.Peasant. Thanks. That may well be the info' I had previously heard. I see you're a new arrival to DIY, welcome aboard. Jonathan. __________________ "It was the Spring time of the year when aunt calls to aunt like mastodons across the frozen waste." P.G. Wodehouse.

4th May 2007, 12:57 AM	#8
hailteflon diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2006	might want to wait If the elastomer is degrading a chemicle may accelerate it. I have many new stylii that are 20 and even 30 years old. They work fine. If it has been in a box then that helps alot, especially if it has been in a box with other synthetic materials. They seem to "outgas" and keep one another young. I have a Stanton 500 that tracks at 2 grams. I bought several stylii from a broadcast supply over ten years ago and they were probably over 15 years ago then. They are still like new. In fact I have many Empire, Stanton, and Shure that are still NIB. All of them have retained compliance. Best Regards, Mark


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

21st June 2004, 10:44 AM	#2
sreten diyAudio Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton UK	a) is impossible to say for a particular cartridge, it happens to some, i wouldn't call it drying out, it chemical degradation, just like what happens to some foam speaker surrounds, or natural rubber which hardens over time. b) if the suspension has degraded it can't be restored IMO. sreten.

21st June 2004, 12:27 PM	#3
dnsey diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Shropshire, England	It might be worth trying the silicone oil sold for renovating car trim, etc. The stuff I use is called 'Black Pack', and it does wonders for 'dried out' vintage turntable mats, making them supple and elastic once more. I MUST STRESS, though that I haven't tried it on cartridge suspensions!

4th May 2007, 12:21 AM	#7
makinson1 diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tallahassee, FL	Radio Shack used to have a liquid that was supposed to rejuvinate rubber belts and idler wheels. I'd avoid anything that has silicone in it. Except Pandora Peak's rack, of course :-) BTW, Plastic is either thermoplastic or thermosetting. Thermoplastic flows when heated. Thermosetting just turns to ash. Any polymer engineers out there?

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Its time to rehash the good ole "Which Cartridge" question	duderduderini	Analogue Source	82	11th August 2009 08:36 PM
Bit of history.."Magic Brain" record changer	redrabbit	Analogue Source	0	10th February 2008 07:53 AM
NY Record Shops -- on "SoundCheck"	jackinnj	Analogue Source	0	2nd October 2006 02:31 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read