How I Clean Vinyl Records, DIY Pro Quality

My method for cleaning used vinyl records. I discuss making your own cleaning fluid. An easy to find cleaning brush. And using your home vac and some plumbing parts to suck up all the dirt and cleaning fluid just like a professional record cleaning machine.

[@samuelbaker6905]

My wife commented when she saw me watching this video. " You mean there are more like you out there and they REALLY do the same stuff you do. I said yes there is my dear. She just shook her head.

[@oliverb6313]

too expensive. that money should be spent on records instead. keep her. just give her a box in the corner or something.

[@mikedestazador5116]

Samuel Baker fuck her

[@CRONIKMASTERBATR]

Samuel Baker LMAO you should have never married her if she is unsupportive

[@a_z-bruh]

Samuel Baker you don't need that negativity in your life brother lol

[@ceejay1794]

Right on Samuel Baker. Some us are chicks!

[@user-ji7mb9gn8u]

Great video. I am 14 and I recently got my first ever record player and was worried about all the responsibility that comes with cleaning the records, but this video showed me that you don't have to buy expensive products to keep your records good as new. Thank you!

[@TheDavcormier]

This works very well. I've inspired myself from this video to clean my records and I can tell you it works! Thank you so much!

[@fornowok]

Hey SupraWes--Thank you very much for posting this, you explained the thought process really well, so we could understand why you took the steps you did. Very well done sir, thanks again.

[@doublevinyllover9203]

hi i have been using those pads and this similar method for more than 20 years ,it really works like a professional cleaning machine

[@nanchanger]

I question if the bristles are smaller than the grooves...

[@lewtoncole]

Ten years later and this is still the bet method of cleaning your vinyl! Well done!

[@SupraWes]

Wow, thanks!

[@TrueAudio]

me too

[@vartina11]

I just cleaned a few records using this method and formula with absolutely amazing results. As far as the alcohol and rinsing agent causing a problem...I don't see or (more importantly) hear anything wrong with the records. Just a record that plays like brand new. I would not do this every time you play your records, but if they are extremely dirty, this method works great. For light cleaning, distilled water would probably be fine. I am cleaning records that have been thru a house fire, then the same year while in storage they were in 1 foot of water during a flood. The result was both mold and grit from the river water. Bad luck for records. But now I can finally clean them to like new condition thanks to this video....Thank you for posting it.

[@vartina11]

vartina11 Another thought to make it easier to put all this together. For the platter to clean the disc on, I just went to a flea market and found a turntable that had a good platter but doesn't nessesarily work. For the vacuum, I just took the attachment for getting into tight spaces, then wrapped and taped a soft cloth around the tip with enough overlap that the vacuum will suck the cloth around the edges. It worked really good and has the advantage of more concentrated suction.

[@forrestmolock8708]

I have a few records that had mold and it is not easy to remove. Alcohol, surfactant (soap), and water work pretty well, but I had to use wood glue to get it perfectly clean. It is a bit messy, but the results are pretty amazing. The wood glue is just a solution of polyvinyl alcohol in water if you are wondering and peels off after drying.

[@vincewinstanley761]

Great work on your video! Clear and simple. And inexpensive! One of the best How to videos I have seen. Thank you for sharing and cheers!

[@PBScenarioScene]

Thank you! Thank you!! Your attention to both quality (fine detail) and economy (cost efficiency) is highly appreciated!! I look forward to viewing more of your videos. BTW, subscribed. ;D

[@digitalblasphemy1100]

I usually dissolve styrofoam in gasoline then mix in some grape jelly and mayonnaise as my solvent.

[@richardalan5064]

My mix is quite similar, but the trick I found handy is to burn the concoction off after scrubbing and the vinyl shines.

[@CRONIKMASTERBATR]

Dandypanty dumb ass

[@theelementgirl4165]

You forgot the peanut butter!

[@blueshirttail]

very similar to my mix, except i pee in it.

[@brobb-sd9vp]

Styrofoam+gasoline make napalm, but when you add just the right amount of grape jelly and mayonnaise you get silly putty. Smart!

[@mixit313]

I followed your recipe exactly except for the turntable part..I put it on a cutting board for the cleaning and held it in my hand for the vacuuming...results were super! I’m going to spend next weekend cleaning all my 45s using this method. Thanks.

[@SupraWes]

Nice, glad it is working well for you!

[@bananaramic6038]

Nice video man. It's always nice to see different methods.

[@mansonandsatanrock]

My method: Spray on 50% alcohol (roughly) and 50% (roughly) distilled water mix. Wipe around the record once or twice with a microfibre cloth (more if needed). Spray on a small amount of window cleaner Wipe around the record once or twice (more if needed). Pour distilled water on the record Wipe around the record once. Dry the record with a new micro fibre cloth by whipping around until water is no longer visible to the human eye. Then I put them on a rack like you do, but I put a garbage bag over the rack first, in order to not make the records touch the metal directly. So similar to you, just using stages.

[@onefatstratcat]

Two things I'd like to add. If the record is really grungy make yourself a mix of some filtered water(1 pint) and good ole Dawn dish soap.. just a few drops and shake well. If you don't want to build yourself a suction tube vacuum I have found a Bissell Little Green Machine and stock wand work well. Tape a little soft material to the corners of the wand and walla... it's just about the width of the songs on a normal 33 and does a hell of a job. Just make sure you hold it at a bout a 45 degree angle when spinning the record. Spray on and let set for about 30 seconds and do not..I repeat do not use a brush, pad or anything yet.. just suck up the fluid. Then pretty much do what is going on here. This way you are getting up any large bits of crap before you shove it back in and over the grooves with the pad :) I know it's one more step but really should only be used on really dirt dirty nasty ass records. Like ones that have been in a flood.. like my dads were..lol Have a great day and Spin on!

[@marcosbelloperez5263]

Well done my friend, crafty and effective. One of the best videos I've seen regarding cleaning vinyl records.

[@SupraWes]

Thank you!

[@noslyguy]

Very informational, thanks. A little more labor intensive as you say, but so much more affordable than commercial machines, and achieves same result, clean records. Great process.

[@SupraWes]

Thank you!

[@jamalmoss9543]

Clever! Certainly more thorough than my usual window cleaner and paper towel method.

[@gmjones2001]

Am I the only one that thinks that dish rack of vinyl is effing cool?!?! Great vid!

[@bobpond5024]

No it’s soooo cool

[@nizodizo9549]

This is the best record cleaning method I have ever tried. Suprawes's method has turned unplayable records into things that are now in my daily play stack! Forget glue and thousand dollar record machines this could have saved me a lot

[@davidd249]

one of the best if not the best video out there on reasonable-priced record DIY cleaning. thanks for sharing! I still do wood glue, but following your process afterwards to remove any possible glue shards that remained, along with the massive amounts of dust the record picks up after removing glue.

[@SupraWes]

David D Thank you!

[@paulh9976]

Thank you so so much for sharing this video with us. I just got back from Wal-Mart and grabbed everything you have. I did this method without the turn table or the vacuum cleaner modification, but a few extra microfiber clothes will do the trick just as well. I grabbed 13 record from Goodwill last night for a dollar a piece and the Dark Side of The Moon that I grabbed was in SHIT shape... now it plays like a NM record. Shame the sleeve is fucked due to water damage.

[@brandonquenneville7330]

Nice to see a man using his well developed brain. Good man. Bravo!

[@geigy]

Thanks! Loved the video. Clear and to the point. The method I had been using was fairly water intensive - not good during the drought here in California, so I'm going to try switching over to your system.

[@paulaj2829]

i am in the same school as you & really like the way you are thinking .. my wife looks at me in the same way as i think your wife does .. but the idea is right for people who want to look after their records & enjoy their music..

[@ZizziHorrorshow]

This was really informative. I'm just beginning my hobby of record collecting and I needed some tips for a good cleaning regimen. Thank you so much!

[@Christian-gj4uw]

ZizziHorrorshow how's your collection going?

[@nukachief]

Christian lmfao

[@andrewheck5704]

Hey, great video, and thanks for trying to help people. You stumbled on the same idea I did, and I've been using it for quite a while. I wash, vac, rinse, vac and couldn't be happier. I wanted to share a tip with you, though. Don't use alcohol. Try diluting Triton X-100 down to about .3% in solution. I also use Photo-Flow 200 as opposed to the dishwasher rinse aid. Got this tip from the Library Of Congress archivists. Otherwise, this is the best method I've come across in 25 years of collecting.

[@MegaMeatgazer]

What's the procedure for diluting the Triton X-100 down to .3%? Do you have a ratio? I'm guessing it's 3 parts per thousand, but that seems as though it would be difficult to measure. I've read elsewhere that 8-16 drops per 32 fl.oz. is a good starting point. How much Photo-flow and is that added to the distilled water as a rinsing agent in a separate bottle?

[@andrewheck5704]

@@MegaMeatgazer sorry, I"ve not noticed your reply. first dilution to 33% (2:1) then a portion of that diluted 9:1 = 3%, final dilution 9:1=.3%, as you can probably figure, a 120mL bottle might last a lifetime. Of course I use distilled, I use the stuff for CPAP machines and am thinking about moving on to deionized, and the first dilution of the Triton is very time consuming in that it does not like dissolving in water, I'm not sure why, but it takes a long time and a lot of agitation. cuts all manner of filth on the surface and when using the paint pads, definitely gets into the grooves.

[@andrewheck5704]

The Photo-flow I add to the spray bottle a drop at a time until the water stops beading up and fully wets the grooves. I need to make that more scientific, right? next time I make a batch, I'll figure it out and let you know. It was too small a portion to weigh using the scales I have available.

[@GeraldECurtis]

Great video. Comprehensive and easy to follow. Much better than the kitchen sink and a bottle of dishwashing detergent!

[@boballard6040]

Wes, thank you for taking the time publishing this detailed video. I recently unearthed my albums from the 70's of which were in great shape visibly but some played with the familiar rice krispies virus. I cleaned a few and got much better results than the manufactured felt with 2 oz of fluid. Once I saw you wearing a Pi t-shirt I knew that I arrived to the right video!! Thanks again.. bob

[@SupraWes]

Thank you for the nice comment, I am glad you got some good results.

[@SupraWes]

Very cool, glad you got your records spinning again. Its pretty amazing how good a clean record can sound.

[@Oceansiders]

Why does everyone say to use 99% pure alcohol and then proceed to dilute it with water. Why can't I use 50% alcohol and adjust the ratio of water accordingly. The only difference between 99% and 50% alcohol is the amount of water added.

[@nocheeckswonder4209]

cause the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell

[@Maks-np5ky]

Cause everyone sucks at math

[@THEBATMAN28AHH]

That's an interesting question. Whenever i make my own distilled water based solution, i usually make it in 5 parts rather than focusing on the actual percentage of the alcohol. I understand that 70% isp is greater at killing stuff and that might be something to think about. But to answer your question, for me anyway, im just too lazy to do the math. It's not that i can't to it, im just taking suggestions from people who have obviously done this way more than i have. Maybe i will take a crack at the math.

[@atticusboone6811]

I'm guessing because it's a lot easier to make the 1/10 ratio using 99% than it is to use 70% or something

[@Matasky2010]

Higher % means you use less alcohol, and alcohol is more expensive than the water.

[@SupraWes]

I am no longer using the microfiber towels. I was finding some lint being picked up by the stylus. As soon as I stopped using the microfiber towels the lint went away.

[@tommytorres5825]

What kind of towel do you use currently?

[@garymurtagh6759]

@@tommytorres5825 i myself been useing cloth baby dipers no lint very soft been useing for yrs

[@THEBATMAN28AHH]

If you are finding lint, then maybe an anti-static brush can be your new best friend. Just make sure you use it properly.

[@Sporky0000]

@@tommytorres5825 probably paper towels

[@krishnaniyapillai476]

I appreciate your method of cleaning process on vinyl records & your narration very clear than I watched some others on this KZbin. It's simple & on the matter explanation. Tq 👍

[@SupraWes]

Thank you!

[@johnvanderlip]

Great video. I just dug out my old records and they're filthy. I'll pick up the stuff tomorrow and start washing. Thanks!

[@SupraWes]

I misspoke when I called it felt, it is an upholstery type velvet so it has a longer pile than a velvet painting or velvet clothing would have.

[@GuitarPlaya72]

That’s some high quality H2O.

[@packers600]

Yeah.......I.......He.......Roy Orbison........

[@4phunk161]

Thanks, buddy. Using your recipe now...been meaning to try it for years.

[@DwightMS1]

That's a very clever system you devised. I have about 1000 records that all sound brand new. I just use a "Discwasher" brush and Discwasher fluid on every side before playing it. I have an old Discwasher brush I use with alcohol for dirty used records I buy.

[@completesentences2125]

lab water is all i drink.

[@kworx1]

Who cares what you drink!

[@lukedavern2205]

@@kworx1 i care klarion i care

[@battleofsimaisma6453]

I care too😂

[@Sadministrator]

95% alcohol is all I drink.

[@Gamer8837]

Rinse agent is the only mouth wash I use.

[@coreygill1197]

You look like Ralphie's little brother in the movie A Christmas Story.

[@Hugh_Hunt]

Very cool, this virtually is one of those fancy vinyl cleaning machines. Fantastic vid.

[@ronaldmonette2223]

Thanks for sharing this cleaning process. Great Video.

[@sammygirlie345]

Some say he is still there waiting for his records to dry

[@liamvnbw]

This really cracked me up!

[@MarvMorris]

just to be sure

[@lcaise]

Is possible to repeat this video, but with compare: very dirty records before and after cleaning? Would be super! Btw, good ideas with vacuum cleaner and other stuff ;)

[@michaelbembenek917]

I have a used BTO LP that I bought and it just had a sorts of pops and static, I have tried a bunch of different things from youtube and nothing worked but! I tried your method and all I can say is many thanks because I dont hear any issues with this record no more. Thank You!

[@SupraWes]

Awesome, glad you got good results. Sometimes all they need is a good deep cleaning!

[@rayholt4678]

Awesome, I've been curious about this. I do enough thrift store digging and like old records... so I definitely have some that need cleaning! Just discovering this community, all of your videos are great!

[@SLYSMITH1117]

If I was showing my cleaning process, I think that I would let you hear the before & after sounds of the record. I think that if I wanted someone to try my method, I think to hear the difference between clean & dirty would show how well the cleaning process is.

[@FunStuffForSteve]

+Sly Smith Why would he want to play a dirty record and damage his stylus just so we can hear the difference ? ? ?

[@Christian-gj4uw]

Steve Baker because we want to see if his technique actually work??? Duh

[@blackestoftheblack6418]

Steve Baker because playing a dirty record once in a blue moon isn't that bad for your needle

[@micsayre]

Sez you.

[@brobb-sd9vp]

@@micsayre Diamond tip styli are tougher than dirt and grime.

[@ArtsyFartsyTimo]

212,081 views. You are the man!

[@SupraWes]

Pretty crazy, huh. Makes me wish I had put more effort into making it better.

[@ArtsyFartsyTimo]

lol - you rock. it's perfect.

[@whiteshadow59]

GOZER'S DEN [ArtsyFartsyTimo] It's very important you gave us an exact figure.

[@ArtsyFartsyTimo]

lol

[@gyruss2000]

I've used your tips and dixielandfarm's tips and found this method is the best for cleaning records. I already cleaned 12+ records and no problem. I am also fortunate to have access to 99.5% Isopropyl alcohol. Thanx!

[@CedricKarlFonk]

Hi. I have been cleaning records since the day i laid my eyes on them back in '79. I use well water and concentrated dish-washing liquid and a brush similar to yours. Nothing beats soap and water as some stains are too difficult to remove, unless the record is soaked in soapy water a few minutes prior to the actual cleaning. The brush then helps to clean the groove thoughroughly with very little effort. I rinse and blot the water off and leave them to dry naturally on a stand i designed myself.

[@PalJoey-rm2yh]

Clumsy. Plus the alcohol formulation leaches the lubricants from the vinyl. The Spin Clean record washer is now around $80, has a tank for the cleaning fluid and two opposing felt pads that get down in the grooves. You just spin the record, then pick it up and dry it with a clean absorbent cloth with a squeegee type motion. Does an excellent job. Used it years ago before I bought a VPI machine washer.

[@PalJoey-rm2yh]

***** The METHOD is clumsy, Nitwit.

[@paulster50]

Pal Joey,your right on,here's a Blog I wrote warning how damaging alcohol is to vinyl cleaningvinyllps.blogspot.com/2012/11/how-to-clean-vinyl-records-right-way.html

[@SupraWes]

Paul Davison "Poly(vinyl chloride), PVC - PVC is not very soluble in ethanol or isopropanol, but prolonged exposure may cause crazing or stiffening." I would not consider the minute or so you are cleaning the record to be "prolonged exposure"

[@PalJoey-rm2yh]

SupraWes Consider also "repeated exposure," each use removing "X" amount of the vinyl lubricant. It's why they make acceptably neutral record washing fluids. I myself use distilled water only - unless I'm dealing with oil, grease, food, etc. from a used record collecting trip and I have no alternatives.

[@paulster50]

Who said anything about prolonged.? Alcohol is too stringent for a vinyl LP no matter how many applications. Dish washing rinsing agents like suggested above will etch the vinyl walls

[@BrandonAbel01]

rinse with distilled water before toweling.

[@Josedoggie1962]

Hi Wes, I just want to thank you. Great video and I thought wow that looks like a great idea.I tried it sure enough it works great AWESOME!! 👏🏻

[@Emily-uw5tt]

Love the turntable! I use a Spin Clean, but to the jerks knocking your system, they should shut up if they have never tried it. Your vacuum system is cool. I think no matter how you clean the record, the vacuum is a great way to dry. I think it's a lot better than the baby diaper towel the Spin Clean uses. Thank you for posting it!

[@helgar791]

His dishwasher rinsing agent, as stated before, will leave a soapy residue on the record which will become baked into the grooves. Very bad thing. Is all this trouble really cheaper and/or better than a Disc Doctor? A better formula for homebrewers is 3 parts distilled water, 1 part 91% alcohol, 2 or three drops of Photoflo per gallon. Rinse with distilled water and move on.

[@kalda0912]

why would the rinse aid leave a residue if there is a second rinse with distilled water ?

[@clumpft]

tinfoil and sand works best with jazz rock records.

[@TheAgeOfAnalog]

Yes, that's what I recommend for Christian and New Country.

[@saltycrotchwhiff3946]

I tried it on my older brothers heavy metal records

[@thelonewanderer420]

Salty Crotchwhiff what do you listen to? Nickelback? You committed a sin sir

[@gabrielgarcia1970]

be sure to use only lab quality sand

[@dsonyay]

Tinfoil for metal LPs.. jazz fuion I usually use old Sansabelt pants

[@VinylWorld1]

Very helpful, thank you very much! I'm new to the vinyl community and that was great! you earned yourself a subscriber

[@beatleman69]

Wes I also tried it with the paint pad and it works great too! I have found if the LP has just hair line blemishes (not quite scratches) no matter how much you clean it, it'll always crackle and pop. There is software out there where you can put your LP on the computer and burn it to a disc to preserve the vinyl.

[@0UT3RL1M1T5]

That rack looks like it could be warping your records!

[@jaidynweight5394]

How? Leaving it there for an hour to dry is fine.

[@centralscrutinizer9591]

Whaaaat........ is there a hydraulic press between each divider I'm not seeing?

[@DonSolaris]

Actually i found a better method. No vacuum cleaner needed. No 99% alcohol needed (75% is used here, which is avail everywhere). This method is similar, except i don't use that painting tool and i don't use vacuum dryer since i found out (using 'scope) it would leave some water behind in the grooves! Anyway, get one of those holders for sandpaper with clips. Obviously, instead of sandpaper you will insert one microfibre cloth into it and clip it firmly. What you want is a strong flat surface for that cloth. This will be your wet tool and you can wash it afterwards with water. Buy another microfibre cloth. This will be your dry tool. Never wash that one with water. Or simply buy another one when needed, they're cheap. Buy a small sprayer for flowers (0.5 l), the one with volume markings in (ml), put 100ml 75% alcohol, put 300ml of distilled water, put one SMALL(!) drop of basic dishwasher. Mix. Put record above bathtub. Spray strongly. Quickly wipe the label with paper towel, make sure it's dry. Now put a record on a large paper (or some old record sleeve you don't use) and put all that on a towel. For the surface I use the washing machine since its top is flat. :) Start circularly moving that microfibre on a holder. Press quite firmly. Do it for 3 minutes. Now use dry microfibre and repeat same process (you don't need the holder, just fold the cloth couple of times). Now use hair dryer, set it to cold, or mild warm, set max force and move circularly for 2 minutes, some 5mm above surface. Job done! Repeat the same for side B. Most important tip: do NOT wash your records unless you have actual glued dirt on them!!! Dust is irrelevant and can be removed with a single wipe using microfibre cloth.

[@wilfriedvermeir8921]

Don Solaris c

[@MultiHarvestMoon]

Best ever video on cleaning records on a budget. Thank you!

[@crucius]

Great video, I will try this method as soon as possible!

[@volleyballschlaeger]

without wood glue? are you serious?

[@paulster50]

I'm 54 years old,been a collector for 30 years,NEVER use dishwashing rinsing agents,it WILL destroy vinyl,PROMISE

[@AeroModule]

Quick, you better tell this guy! All his records must be destroyed by now because he made this video over four years ago! Well, SupraWes, are all your records destroyed like this guy predicted?

[@SupraWes]

autodrivex It did! all my records were erased and the music was replaced by Nickleback songs, lol yeah everything is fine so far.

[@ragnarocking]

SupraWes lmao... beats Creed. I was always puzzled about why we shouldn't use rinse agent. It's food grade and if it's safe enough for the lining of our stomachs then I can't imagine vinyl having too much trouble with it. When a local camera store shut down, and I was in desperate need of wetting agent, I added a couple of drops of palmolive (per the recommendation of a photographer friend) to the tank I was using to process some medium format negatives. They came out great and haven't purchased PhotoFlo or LFN since. Again, if it's safe enough to use on sensitive film, then why not vinyl? I'm not arguing with anyone - I'm just trying to find out why dish soap or rinsing agent is such a no-no, because it sure as hell saves a lot of money when stacked up against the cost of pre-made vinyl cleaner.

[@Upcamehill]

The stomach is much tougher than vinyl. It can withstand the hydrochloric acid that dissolves food

[@paulster50]

It occurs over time my friend.Once you soften the groove walls with these feather brain formulas,cuts the life expectancy of an LP in half

[@emilyanneboyterhager2583]

Thanks for sharing! This all seems very accessible and doesn't require me dropping tons of money on an expensive cleaning machine.

[@SupraWes]

Sure, I hope it helps you get better sound from your records, cheers!

[@kmrlgsuperstar]

Thanks for doing this video. I'm going to try your method with my records, I have an old turntable that would be perfect for this.

[@bensnived5875]

this is the funniest shit ever.

[@aammdj]

Wow, what a pain in the ass just to listen to a record. I'll stick to CDs. Better sound and stability.

[@paulc5358]

Great video some good Ideas too, I use the same type cleaning fluid but not the rinse agent (Will try that next time) & Vacuum cleaner as well But what I use is a Q-tip but I'm gonna try that paint bush as well next time.. Happy spining

[@pipafumador]

Thanks a lot for your explanation. I´m Chilean from Southamerica. The cleans machines to vinil records are very expensive, but this method is not expensive. Here there are all of material than you are mencioned in your video. Sorry for my english. I´m going to make this video in spanish for my latins brothers. Thank you very much again.

[@thehificlub]

Thanks for that, I have spent a lot of time studying similar technique to yours plus the use of the Kieth Monks machine and have used the paint brush also....One grime your way would not remove is mould....I have had success using mould remover but it leaves a resedue that has to be removed with a second clean after it dries. The other way I've had success is using your technique and Vinegar. What the long term effect on the vinyl is I have not studied, but it it seems to work.

[@blakel2174]

Best DIY record cleaning video I have ever seen.

[@SupraWes]

Thank you!

[@mondoenterprises6710]

Brilliant, dude! I am making one! Many thanks!

[@rodericktheartist]

This was extremely cool and helpful, thank you.

[@SupraWes]

Glad it helped, cheers!

[@lancedillinger]

I am gathering supplies now, Thanks Wes!!

[@bradymeltzer9608]

I built one of these leveraging this video vs. spending the dough on a VPI/NittyGritty. Time and money (+/- $35) well spent. Thanks Wes! I use a different cleaning solution that I buy locally. I also found this brush that is recommended to be affordable and better than $20 specific record brushes. I am just getting started collecting vinyl. Having a blast!

[@tinshack1]

Excellent and informative video. Great job. As a fellow thrift store lp collector I would also suggest to your viewers that they purchase a box of new inner sleeves. That way you can put that cleaned record into a clean sleeve. It does no good to clean your vinyl and the put it back into that filthy old inner sleeve it came in.

[@stevehazard8303]

thank you for sharing this process. I am going to give it a try. Gratitude!

[@SupraWes]

You are welcome, I hope you get some good results.

[@tsweeney21]

A+ video, very thorough and informative! Thanks.

[@electronixTech]

That's a great idea using painting pads. Thanks for the good tips.

[@SupraWes]

Glad it helped!

[@ElliotAtkins]

Great video! Many thanks for posting.

[@apollomemories73]

Good system Wes. May I suggest that for working your cleaning solution into the record groove, that you use something akin to a 'face-cloth', where there's a bit more robust body to the surface fibres, rather than the decidedly flat paint spreader.

[@JosephCee]

DUDE! Thanks for the video : ) I just bought multipurpose spray cleaner from walmart and my plan was to just clean my records with that and an old shirt, I like ur method though. Good thing I bought one of those squirt bottles too.

[@kcbennie]

That was a great video! Thanks for the great ideas!!!

[@SupraWes]

+kcbennie Thank you!

[@southernmissy75]

Thanks 🙏 have a few I wanna clean up 🧼 they r used and looks like they need it! Vinyl is awesome 😎 it’s the best sound, nothing like it :)

[@Bozakky]

Great video. Love the record rack. Cheers!

[@mattavalon]

Thanks from England, great advice with try!

[@TmarkN]

I tried out your "recipe" for cleaning records and my records look great! I used my microfiber towels to wipe them. I don't have time or space for all the other things you used though. But I also don't have many records.

[@SupraWes]

Cool, glad it helped

[@dibsandduchamp]

Great Video! The one thing I would suggest now that you have such a great set up is to vacuum the record first, before you apply the fluid. This way, some of the particles that may scratch the groove while you are using the pad will be removed prior to the fluid. So essentially you are removing a lot of dirt, dust, grit, etc... before adding the fluid. You may want to consider adding a carbon fiber brush to your vacuum wand. For the first pass, you should keep the wand off the record but close.

[@nanchanger]

Are the pad bristles REALLY small enough to get into the grooves?

[@markwilson9663]

Very Interesting I was thinking of doing something similar, but using Ilford Ilfoto solution as a wetting agent and a Karcher had wet vac to dry, thanks for a very useful video

[@FunStuffForSteve]

+Mark Wilson kodak specifically says to NOT use the photo solution, it has other chemicals in it that harm your vinyl

[@SupraWes]

@conboyd I think it was a 1/2" PVC cap. It goes inside the other piece which is a sink drain part.

[@SupraWes]

@rusholmemike I am still using the original cleaning pad after 400 or so records cleaned. It shows no sign of deterioration. If the bristles start falling out or something I will swap it. I clean it with hot soapy water after every cleaning session. The pads do turn darker after they have been used so there is dirt in there. Its up to you how often you want to clean the pad, once every 10 or so records is fine for me.

[@PureBrew1]

I don't have a vacuum method yet but I did try cleaning with your mixture, with drops of JetDry in the mix. However, I was a bit worried at first, because the solution warmed up in the bottle when I mixed it~! I wasn't expecting that at all. I use a D4 brush to deep clean, then use a microfiber cloth to pick up the residue. After that I use cotton makeup pads with 91% to clean off leftover residue and go over it dry with an audioquest brush. Not perfect but a HUGE improvement. Thanks!

[@Fezziekid]

Nice video, I am giving this a go now, thanks for the inspiration! I would add that the cleaning brushes for the original vacuum machines are available to buy online.

[@SupraWes]

+Fezziekid Yes, you can buy the wands from one of the machines and just adapt that to your vac. This way was easier because I have the tools and it was easy to build myself.

[@yonitznkc]

A chemist friend of mine showed me how temperature change affects both foreign matter and surface-tension; warm SOAKING then cool rinsing gets things cleanest - just like dishes. I sometimes also use an ultrasound bath on extremely dirty LPs. Get a UFO record cleaner to protect your labels when soaking/rinsing (available on eBay). Under a scope or jeweler's loupe, you will see completely clean micro-grooves after this simple process. Don't sweat the tap water; your micro-grooves aren't like capillaries in the bloodstream. Surfactants allow removal of anything large enough to be audible via your stylus (which is HUGE compared to whatever might be in tap water). No nee to get all wonky with the water; cleaning records is akin to clock-, watch- or jewelry-cleaning.

[@onefatstratcat]

Nice post. The pads work great but a word to the wise use enough fluid and don't press down to hard. Light to medium pressure. Sometimes whats under those bristles can be uneven and a bit rough. Also I had a Mini Bissell Green Machine left over in the yard sale stuff and it works great for picking up the fluid.I also do a light rinse with just fresh water, vaccum and then wipe with a MF cloth at the end. Walla, no static and super clean! Great for digital archiving. Thanks Captain LP!!

[@aparneomai]

Since no one seems to know anything about it I obtained Duane Goldmans brushes and cleaner. I have cleaned several dozen records while discussing the procedure and tips from Goldman and have had very good results. Most of the records are thrift store finds some being completely filthy and looked to be trash. From what I have learned flipping the record onto a dirty surface will only contaminate the cleaned record with dirt that was on the surface of the record that was dirty.

[@josephmills3864]

Thanks for the DIY on cleaning records, I've got a bunch to do

[@SupraWes]

Thank you, good luck!

[@dibsandduchamp]

Thanks for the comment on my post. I didn't realize that youtube automatically emailed you when someone comments on your post. Anyway, I really enjoyed the video but thought that vacuuming the record before hand would get rid of some nastiness before your gave it the pad or brush. Going to try Spin Clean and Nagaoka 152. I do like the idea of batch cleaning. I just bought my first new record in 20 or so years and it sounded really great.Take care and thanks for the support. Enjoy your records.

[@arizonarecordsUK]

Hey, thanks a lot for sharing your method, it's spot-on!

[@SupraWes]

Awesome, glad it helped, cheers!

[@arizonarecordsUK]

Let's put it this way: I upgraded a record from a good to a very good plus in ten minutes. That's how good this system is. Many thanks again :)

[@dainawilburn2390]

Good video. I do almost the same thing now. Thanks for the tips.

[@beatleman69]

Wes I use one of those felt record cleaning pads with the wooden handle I use instead of the paint edger brush and your home brew cleaner and it seems to do the trick, the LP sounds a lot better!