How to clean a stylus

[Mike_Schmidt]

So how does one clean a stylus that picks up hairs and lint ect. Could you use a anti static brush?

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Mike, i clean mine very carefully using a small stylus brush with isoprop alcohol or similar. V gentle strokes from it's rear. Nice.

When you say antistatic brush? If such as the record cleaner, Dont.

Eric

 

[fatboyslimfast]

I use a soft-bristled toothbrush, one gentle swipe from back to front always does the trick.

However, I have heard good things about Silly Putty, but it scares me slightly. If I wreck the cantiliver on my DL-110, it's a whole new cart...

 

[Anonymous]

I was advised by my dealer not to use any liquids, just a soft artists paint brush and as said before from back to front.............

 

[Andrew Everard]

Dry methods tend to be best unless the stylus has been neglected and is really caked. Liquids can 'creep' up the cantilever into the cartridge motor system, and in some extreme cases have been known to attack the glue holding the stylus onto the cantilever.

 

[floyd droid]

Onzow zerodust. Bloody expensive for what it is but works a treat. As andrew said be carefull with fluids if the crud is caked on. A tiny drop on one of those dental floss brush thingys works good but gently gently catchy monkey.

 

[John Duncan]

This used to have a good reputation if you can find one at a reasonable price...

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Often after my records have had a Knosti bath they leave a residue on the stylus which only a brush dabbed in (Clearer Audio) fluid will remove.

Would prefer not to use a fluid but it seems to work fine. Although Mr.E has now planted the seeds of a "creeping" liquid nightmare scenario, as it were!

 

[gpi]

There's no gunk on my styluseses

 

[Henley]

Andrew's right. You would be amazed at how many cartridges we see (all brands) with cantilevers that have been eated by "pure" cleaning fluid. Also detached diamonds, corroded coils.......

A nice bristle brush, that's all

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Oh no!!!! Does that mean I've done untold damage to my stylus and other workings?

How would I know? Is it a visible thing?

And I've only just ordered another little bottle of fluid and a brush, should I never use it again? Not even a smidgeon?

A nice bristle brush, you say. Where would one acquire such a tool?

 

[Henley]

Charlie Jefferson:Oh no!!!! Does that mean I've done untold damage to my stylus and other workings?

How would I know? Is it a visible thing? And I've only just ordered another little bottle of fluid and a brush, should I never use it again? Not even a smidgeon?

A nice bristle brush, you say. Where would one acquire such a tool?

Answers in order, hope it helps.

You can only tell under a microscope, talk to the manufacturer/distributor and ask them to look at it for you.

Normally only under a microscope

I wouldn't

Can't tell you as we're a distributor, ask your dealer.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Clearaudio does one, and it's available online, or from various UK e-tailers. I'm sure there are other similar products available

 

[chebby]

I use the Clearaudio brush Andrew linked to. I have never used fluids. (Although I never play dirty records.)

I check the stylus every now and then with macro setting on my camera (focuses to a centimetre) and not yet seen problems with crud build up.

 

[gpi]

chebby:
I use the Clearaudio brush Andrew linked to. I have never used fluids. (Although I never play dirty records.)

I check the stylus every now and then with macro setting on my camera (focuses to a centimetre) and not yet seen problems with crud build up.

Ah, but does it contain Pentapeptides and did you buy it because you're worth it? 🙂

 

[Anonymous]

When I got my Sondek from Grahams hifi they issued me with a packet of what I can only describe as small green sandpaper pieces. At that time Linn's theory was that the stylus cleaned the disc, and this "sandpaper" plus a gentle blow at the stylus cleaned it. Seems to have worked for me up to now.

 

[Anonymous]

gpi:chebby:
I use the Clearaudio brush Andrew linked to. I have never used fluids. (Although I never play dirty records.)

I check the stylus every now and then with macro setting on my camera (focuses to a centimetre) and not yet seen problems with crud build up.

Ah, but does it contain Pentapeptides and did you buy it because you're worth it? 🙂

 

[fatboyslimfast]

David Aston:When I got my Sondek from Grahams hifi they issued me with a packet of what I can only describe as small green sandpaper pieces. At that time Linn's theory was that the stylus cleaned the disc, and this "sandpaper" plus a gentle blow at the stylus cleaned it. Seems to have worked for me up to now.

Linn "Green Stuff" - Aluminium Lapping Paper. Used it quite a bit when I had my Rega 2, but lost the little strip of stuff years ago...

Did wonder if it reduced the life of the stylus though (even through Linn quoted the "diamond is harder than aluminium" thing, vinyl, which is a lot softer than diamond, still wears out the diamond after about 1000hrs....)...

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:Clearaudio does one, and it's available online, or from various UK e-tailers. I'm sure there are other similar products available

Just noticed that Divine Audio have these at a sale price of £10.75 delivered, just ordered one myself.....

 

[Greenwich_Man]

fatboyslimfast:I use a soft-bristled toothbrush, one gentle swipe from back to front always does the trick.

Thanks for the tip - got one from Boots today - £1