Cleaning vinyl - yes or no?

[6th.replicant]

Have been re-visting my vinyl collection and much of it sounds like ****, meanwhile a new pressing of RHCP's Blood Sugar Sex Magik sounds glorious.

However, have noticed that many of my '70s and '80s era LPs are a bit, er, 'grubby'

Notice that Rega says "no" to record-cleaning but others recommend

What's the verdict?

Ta

 

[John Duncan]

Absolutely yes. Get one of these:

 

[Petherick]

I've used a Watts Parostatik Disc Preener for years and it certainly keeps the dust at bay and the surface nicely 'polished', If your records are not 'grubby' to begin with.

I have some old vinyl bought second-hand that I've yet to play because I can't decide if wet cleaning will only make things worse, so I'll be watching this thread with interest.