The Ultimate Last Factory REVIEW

[@cameronstevens4176]

Hi Everyone. Power Cleaner has come in handy when there's been a little spot of something, some kind of sticky substance, that won't break down through normal vacuum or ultrasonic cleaning. Last Power Cleaner did break that up. Now the Power Cleaner did leave a residue, so I then needed to do another standard vacuum cleaning. But after doing so, the record played perfectly. I saved a very nice vintage copy of Beatles For Sale this way.

[@joseauger1353]

I have been following all your videos and made some comments on some of them. I have adopted different methods for different rdcords according to their provenance. For new records I am using a highly diluted VPI record cleaning fluid , use the VPI Cyclone, then KLAUDIO and then Last record preservative. For used records or second hand records that are in perfect condition I use the AIS three step but using the Archivist version of the cleaner that does not contain alcohol, then to the KLAUDIO, and then application of Last preservative. My experience with this last procedure has been highly satisfying. The difference between playing the records without cleaning and after cleaning with this process is huge. The Last record preservative makes a big difference. For very dirty records I use either the last aforementioned approach or I use Tergikleen first, a thorough rinse with distilled water, then the AIS three step process, the KLAUDIO and application of Last preservative. However, there is something I tried that helped me saved a record set. I inherited several records from my father, some of wich were Reader’s Digest sets which were recorded and manufactured by RCA. Most sound incredibly well to excellent in terms of recording and pressing. There was a large set that was in really bad shape. So bad that I was tempted to throw it away. A friend recommended an approach that, under normal circumstances, I would never try, but given that I was going to throw away this record set I decided to try it. The process starts with using Windex with vinegar that does not contain the ammonia that regular Windex uses. I applied it and then used one of the cloths that is included with the Spin Clean set. Then I rinsed it thoroughly with distilled water, put it in the KLAUDIO and gave them a listen without any hope. The results were incredible. Almost all surface noise, clicks and pops were gone. Mind these records were very dirty. So much that I did not want to put them in my VPI as they were. After this, I subjected the records of the set to the AIS three step process, KLAUDIO and Last preservative and lo and behold, the results were just incredible. All surface noises were gone. I do not recommend using this process with all records, but the ones that I cleaned with it were in so bad shape that I was going to throw them away anyway so no harm would be done if the process failed. BTW, after I did this I discovered a video made by a guy who owns a record store that sells used records and he uses the sane process for those ones that are in extremely bad shape. What are your thoughts on this?

[@JWD1992]

I do not use Windex anymore, but there were countless times I used it (mainly the ammonia-free version) on records covered in mold that most people would throw out. I would spray Windex on a microfibre cloth, wipe until there was no longer anything visible, then rinse in the Spin Clean. "Barbaric," I know-but it worked. The only times the results were not fantastic were when the records themselves already had lots of scratches and groovewear, which no cleaning method will fix. Most of the time, the sound extracted from the grooves was exceptional. And the mold never came back (I also have a process for moldy jackets). Do I recommend Windex (ammonia-free or not) for anything other than moldy records that were otherwise headed to the garbage? No, as I know too much of that stuff will make the records brittle in the long run. I do not think one Windex cleaning will damage a record, but I think repeated cleanings over time would be bad. Also, it is important to note that, when dealing with exceptionally filthy records, there is a layer of filth between the Windex and the vinyl itself that the Windex is reacting with. The vinyl is not getting the full dose. A new record from Acoustic Sounds will not have a layer of filth that thick, so it will be getting the Windex full blast. That could be bad. From what I understand, it is the alcohol in the Windex that is bad (well, in addition to the infamous ammonia).

[@kirmussaudio7578]

​@@JWD1992You are correct! FYI.. Some manufacturers of dental and jewelry cleaning ultrasonic machines with DIY looking record support mechanisms sell blue or yellow cleaning solutions that are detrimental to records. One perfume maker offers also a detrimental cleaning solution. If in doubt, use distilled water. A soft lint free opticians cloth to dry. Polish the groove with a 10 micron sized parastatic felt. Before play, use a 10 micron diameter parastatic felt brush to remove dust. Use a carbon fiber brush on the record to remove static. Every so often use a safe wet needle cleaner to clean the needle tip.

[@kirmussaudio7578]

Why do record pressers not endorse protective coatings? Hmmmm.

[@JWD1992]

Missed opportunity for someone to leave a "First" comment on this video about Last, haha. I love seeing all these great fluids and machines in action. Aspirational!

[@SammeLagom]

Relaxing and interesting video! Do you work at a spa or healthcare? Just got a feeling hahaha :D

[@MW-by9jg]

After almost 50 years with Discwasher, I plan to go with an entry-level record vacuum and L'Art Du Son and then maybe rinse with distilled water per your method with your recommended types of brushes. Does this sound good enough? Really enjoy your videos. thanx

[@kirmussaudio7578]

Do ask the manufacturer of the liquid all of the ingredients and see their affectation to pvc, plasticizers, and in case of the vacuum machine, neoprene and rubber. As the manufacturer of any liquid the gain in frequency response and signal they offer you. Just my 2 cents. We have a hard time stripping out some of the coatings left on records by sone of these cleaning solutions.

[@doctorquestian]

Never use any kind of substance that has any substance in it. The only thing you'll do is pollute your record grooves with whatever substance the product has in it. I found the best way to clean a record is to use a special, virgin microfiber cloths. I purchased white ones that have never been used for anything else from Amazon. And then I use distilled water. Distilled water has nothing in it, just water. And then the microfiber has little tiny pieces of plastic that will not scratch the vinyl. I do this as gently as possible. And the secret is to always put your records away and keep them away from all dirt and dust, and store them in a vertical position. And they'll last a very long time. As far as the stylus, the best brush that I have found is the one that Shure Brothers markets that has the tiny little mirror on one side and the black brush on the other and alcohol. Again very gently. Go easy never force. And by all means have your microscope ready because you'll want to look at that stylus tip close-up. A good jewelers microscope works.

[@doctorquestian]

Also, the only way to do a real test, before and after test, would be to listen to the record on the first play and simultaneously record it onto a digital format. Do the same for the second play. Then compare the two digital playbacks at the same time using a switch, so that a person can hear them side-by-side, A-B-A-B-A-B.. Also an oscilloscope would be handy to study the wave forms also using a switch. Back-and-forth between the sources. The oscilloscope will be able to actually show you the imperfections. But really the best thing to do is to not use any of these products at all.

[@kirmussaudio7578]

​@doctorquestian DIgital does not pick up all the nuances up to 50,000 Hz.. a simple portable spe trum analyzer works. USB microscope cannot see the sub micron detail in the groove. Agree with your cleaning method. Safe.

[@kirmussaudio7578]

Refreshing to see someone provide proper input as to surface cleaning. When I buy vintage records from a record reseller I ask what they used on the record to dress it up for sale. If they used distilled water, lint free cloth to dry, Bravo! If they used any of the elixirs that we have seen in these posts, no way. Coincidentally my process shows what these elixirs or processes air, spin or vacuum dry on a record. No matter... None of these manufacturers of cleaning solutions or systems publish what improvements they offer a lover of records. Measured reduction in noise floor, increase in cartridge signal output and frequency response. Or whatever. Shinyness is not indicative of a record's condition. To the lay person entering the hobby, folks that have collected and played records since the 60's know and have reported in the past and present what some of these concoctions reviewed do to records and ask how to remove them. Further, most do not divulge what is in their so called magical cleaners and protectant. Folks that were responsible for the revival of records state we do not need protectants on records including past masters of the pressing art such as RCA, Capitol, etc... To encourage folks to use these concoctions without using a thermal chamber to advance the aging of records to see what long terms storage does to records, and plastics, opens the door to Liability. A scientific method needs to be used. Bravo, love your comment.❤ Refreshing. Record groove restoration using record ionization by the way is not surface cleaning, where cavitation pulls off the record and from the grooves what is inside, where pure pvc repells water. No chance of coating a record. By far, thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@kirmussaudio7578]

​@@doctorquestianYou said it. Elevator music with unscientific testing leading folks down a path can see records damaged. Some of the listed chemicals even are damaging to some of the rubbers used in some of the cleaning machines sold.

[@Saturday_Records_On_Discogs]

VC ASMR

[@kirmussaudio7578]

The methods used and analysis need correction in how you are analyzing cleaning processes Some points...observations, food for thought, below. The air blaster used was not consistent. In fact all one is doing is taking dusty room air and blowing it on a record. Not a scientific method. Filtered compressed air and not from a spray can should be used if this is a procedure to be considered. Water droplets are larger in diameter than the size of the record's groove. All one is doing is swishing around materials on the surface of the record, that have been "disturbed", then using a vacuum that dries a film on the record by vacuuming off the surface solution. One should do tests on the same pressing. Records not processed by any other process or cleaning solutions. As a word of caution, many new records are not in fact new. Repacks. Observe new records as they are taken out of their sleeve. Look for scratches, water droplets, fingerprints. In testing. Do not take processed records and change machines. Some processes treat one side at a time. Good for testing. Using the KL sees both sides of the record touched and air drying by the machine leaves a film on the record. Dries whatever is in the tank taken off in prior cleanings of other records. Captured as a suspension in the water. Records that have no surface contaminants need no air or vacuum drying. One is drying onto the record whatever is in the tank from prior cleaning as the filter seemingly does not remove liquid borne solvents. Or whatever one is swishing around with a brush. Clean the applicator brush using distilled water, pad dry. Do this between tests. Same with the vacuum head. No cork mat. Use a rubber mat. Wash between processing any record so any contaminants of records are passed along the chain whether using a cleaning solution or protectant film. The pure water rinse and the water in the bottle is not anything special. Per the manufacturer. This said per a chemist interviewed by Michael Fremer at Axpona 2023, only distilled water Is recommended. Questions out loud....., if a record has been just cleaned, why the pools of water? Why does one need to vacuum dry or air dry surface water? What does this do.... Needs a step to look at this more carefully. Needs a rinse at the end with distilled water, but more observations on this below.... To this...Take a processed record, dip it in a basin of water while turning it, making sure we do not wet the label. Use a round skewer to suspend the record. Remove, wobble the record to remove excess water, then place it on a flat surface. Observe what you see. Water? What are the complete ingredients in l'Art du Son? And in the Last preservative? Use the Materials Safety Datasheet required to transport the liquids as well as what to do if ingested. Use this, then compare the individual ingredients with the PVC and plasticizer chemical compatability chart. Do not use on records if there is incompatibility. For machines with pumps, check also the rubber and neoprene chemical compatability chart as well. How does Last react with a record processed using L'Art du Son? And visa versa. Do the rinse test. What is the thickness of the film left on the record by both chemicals. Why does one need to reapply a protectant after a fixed number of uses? The ultimate test, take a record just cleaned and processed and use it in the Kirmuss machine. Take note of the colorant appearing between cycles. Why do we see this colorant appear if a record was "cleaned"? By the way, some of these will take some elbow grease to remove the films. Take a record where any cleaning solution or process was applied or used and in the case of this test and before vacuum drying, take the record off the machine, wobblle it shaking off water, , then place the record on the platter of the vacuum cleaning machine. What do we see? Playing records where the record is not centered sees the tone arm swing, changing VTA and affecting the sound. Before consuming time on records not properly manufactured, inspect them. You should be using a spectrum analyzer to measure cartridge output, noise floor and frequency response of like records, same 20 seconds of play into the same track, of records produced from the same stamper, subject individually and separately from other processes being tested. This said and after your cleaning process and after first play, usex a Q Tip and gently touch the needle in a backwards forward motion. See any residues? What would this mean? Outside of the testing in this video, in general before play of any record always suggested to use a wet record cleaning solution to remove whatever the stylus picked up in the prior play. Never use a wet needle cleaning solution without knowing what is in the liquid. Is it epoxy and plastic, rubber safe? Above, Just food for thought....

[@kirmussaudio7578]

With all the nonsense coming out over many videos where folks use window cleaner, Photoflow, car wax, lighter fluid, and home brew mixes and the like,, let's call it How to Ruin a Record!