cleaning

How to Clean Your Vinyl LPs - instructions on how to use Groovewasher products

(Excerpts from the GrooveWasher User Booklet) 

 

The G2 GrooveWasher System has four unique characteristics: 

  1. The GrooveWasher walnut handle is shaped to accommodate specially designed, velcro attached cleaning pads for heavy cleaning and for fine cleaning, to be used just before playback.
  2. The G2 cleaning fluid is formulated to clean vinyl records with outstanding activity in removing sound degrading microdust, fingerprint oils, manufacturing compounds and mildew with little residue and no harm to the record’s surface.
  3. The GrooveWasher cleaning pad fabrics have been tested in the GrooveWasher laboratory. Split microfiber, one of our cleaning fabrics, is many times more effective than other cleaning fabrics.
  4. The G2 fluid solubilizes contaminants and the GrooveWasher cleaning pad quickly removes them--rather than leaving them to dry back on the record’s surface. 

Properly used, the GrooveWasher System will make these four sophisticated features work for you.  The GrooveWasher is effective, convenient and affordable--the superior vinyl record cleaner. 

 

First, attach the cleaning pad to the handle.

 

Seat the pad onto the handle with your fingers on the edge of the pad base.

Remove the pad for cleaning by grasping the pad base and separating from the handle. (Clean the pad by rinsing in soft tap or distilled water. Squeeze with a towel and allow to air dry overnight.)

Instructions--On the Turntable Cleaning 

New or previously cleaned records can be cleaned on the turntable.   New records have manufacturing compounds in the microgroove. Cleaning a new record with the G2 system before the first playback is wise.  

Even clean looking records can have microdust in the microgroove.  Records exposed to room air attract dust particles due to static electricity charges on the record surface.  Playing a dirty record can press the dust and dirt to the walls of the delicate microgroove, reducing sound quality. 

 

The G2 fluid and cleaning pad are designed to work together to remove microdust. 

  1. Carefully place the record on the turntable using your fingertips on the outer edge and label. Avoid touching the grooves with your fingers.  (If you are concerned about the G2 Fluid wetting the record label, place the Label Protector disc on the record now.)  Turn on and allow the turntable to get to speed.  Pump two or three mist sprays of G2 Fluid on the record.  Avoid overspray on the turntable.  (You may also apply the G2 Fluid to the record using the turret spout, found on the 4 oz refill bottle.) Wait a few seconds to allow the fluid to spread to the bottom of the microgroove.  Records can also be turned using a finger on the label.  The turntable should be in neutral. 

 

 

  1. Attach the cleaning pad to the walnut GrooveWasher handle.  Holding the handle with the left hand, lightly touch the leading edge of the pad to the record.  This will spread the fluid around the record’s entire surface.  Hold the pad in this position for at least 3 revolutions.  Microdust, solubilized in the G2 fluid, will be removed by the pad’s leading edge. 

 

  1. Next, gently rotate the pad to the center and rear of the pad to remove the excess fluid and groom the record’s surface. Important:  Remove the pad from the surface before the record is completely dry.  Allowing the record to air dry for a few seconds before applying the stylus will reduce the build up of static electricity, which can occur any time a dry fabric is rubbed on PVC vinyl.  G2 fluid is made with five ingredients including purified deionized water which eliminates static charges on contact.  Playing the record wet is unwise and can reduce sound quality. 

 

To maintain the condition of your records over the long term, audiophiles recommend fine cleaning before every play. This is a good habit. 

Instructions—Off the Turntable Cleaning 

Today, vinyl records are experiencing a revival of popularity.  After decades in storage, vintage records are usually heavily soiled.  They must be cleaned thoroughly before the first playback.   Playing a dirty record can damage the delicate microgroove as well as the stylus.  The surfactants and wetting agents in G2 fluid hold dust and dirt in the solution, allowing the GrooveWasher cleaning pad to remove it. 

Vintage records often have a thin coating of mold or mildew.  Some mold species grow on vinyl surfaces and damage the delicate microgroove.  You may not be able to see the mildew and mold spores but you can smell them when you open the album cover.  G2 Fluid removes mildew during the cleaning process. 

  1. Carefully place the record on a soft cloth on a firm surface. The yellow microfiber towel included in the GrooveWasher Kit and the GrooveWasher Display Block kit is supplied for this. Pump 4 or 5 mist sprays onto the record to completely cover the record’s surface.  Wait.  Allow 10 seconds or more for the G2 fluid to dissolve the dust, dirt and mildew in the record’s groove. 

  1. Attach the cleaning pad to the GrooveWasher walnut handle. Gently use the leading edge of the pad to wipe around the record in concentric circles, in line with the grooves.  Avoid wiping across the grooves.  

  1. Rock and rotate the pad to gently dry and groom the surface. If visual inspection shows a problem area, spray it with the G2 Fluid, wait a few seconds, and use the pad to gently scrub the area, again in the direction of the grooves. 

  1. Turn  the record over and clean the other side using the above steps. Allow 30 to 60 seconds for the record to fully dry. For the best listening experience and to avoid damaging the groove, never play a record that is wet. 

Important Notes 

Vintage records in less than mint condition often have scuffs and scratches.   The GrooveWasher System does not fix scuffs or scratches.   The GrooveWasher System cleans the record’s surface and microgroove to release the honest sound of that particular record.  If the record is flawed, if the recording or pressing are not high fidelity, the GrooveWasher System will not improve it. 

A vintage record may have been cleaned by its previous owner with a soap or detergent or silicone that has clogged and adhered to the record’s microgroove.  With the pressure of the stylus, these “cleaners” may have been layered to the walls of the microgroove, which reduces sound quality.   Several cleanings using the GrooveWasher may be required to remove these difficult contaminants. 

Copyright 2015, GrooveWasher, LLC