Ortofon recommends against use of solvent cleaners as it can damage the cartridge. Anyone have an opinion or experience with this?
Solvent Cleaner for records
- Thread starter martois
- Start date
daytona600
Well-known member
RCM remove dirt at source , pointless buying records without cleaning them , every record should be cleaned before playing
records sound better
removes static
longer stylus lifespan
reduced record wear
Never use solvents on records or your stylus
weakens bond on Stylus/Cantilever & Capillary action Solvent enters cartridge generator/internals
CA capillary motion is the process of a liquid flowing in a narrow space without the assistance of, or even in opposition to, any external forces like gravity.
records sound better
removes static
longer stylus lifespan
reduced record wear
Never use solvents on records or your stylus
weakens bond on Stylus/Cantilever & Capillary action Solvent enters cartridge generator/internals
CA capillary motion is the process of a liquid flowing in a narrow space without the assistance of, or even in opposition to, any external forces like gravity.
Al ears
Well-known member
Yes, as above.
No experience as never used a solvent. Shouldn't be required anyway.
Dumb question, I bought a record cleaning kit from “Groove Washer” that includes their proprietary cleaning solution called G2 Record Cleaning Fluid. Think this stuff is free of solvents?
DougK1
Well-known member
They generally are, if not nothing to worry too much about. Even the home brew fluid used by many on here contains IPA, basically as a de-greaser/drying agent.
Al ears
Well-known member
I should certainly hope so...
It's probably a standard recipe, many knock it together then charge a fortune for it.....
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nopiano
Well-known member
It’s not record cleaner they caution against, it’s stylus cleaning fluid, in particular isopropyl alchohol.
See page 6 (numbered 10) here…https://ortofon.com/cdn/shop/files/...-b4bf-b4af2035fa62.pdf?v=17811384605696627725
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Al ears
Well-known member
Yes, quite a bit of difference between a record cleaner and a stylus cleaner.
Revolutions
Well-known member
Thank you, this thread. I just disposed of a pot of stylus cleaner. Will try out those gel pads instead.
nopiano
Well-known member
You can’t use those - they pull the stylus off, or bend the cantilever! Well, they might do, if you’re not careful! 🤣
Audio Technica are obviously made of sterner stuff as they still sell stylus cleaning liquid.
Al ears
Well-known member
Point taken, but the package insert with Quintet does say to avoid cleaning with solvent “…either the record surface or stylus”
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nopiano
Well-known member
That’s slightly different wording for the MC model then. Probably wise, as it’s impossible to know if user will splash a huge amount on, rather than a tiny drop on the tip of a brush. It’s if it tracks back to the suspension that trouble is possible.
FWIW I used isopropyl for years with never a problem, and back in the day I had an Ortofon M 20 FL Super which I’m sure I treated similarly to ADC, Shure, Satin, Grado, Goldring etc.
Freddy58
Well-known member
Interesting, back in the day I thought the use of isopropyl alcohol was recommended? I used to use it regularly with no problem. Maybe I was lucky. As an aside, I remember quite regularly having to clean off the fluff, but these days I never seem to get any, where has it gone? 🤔😃
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I think the last bit of it is stuck on my stylus and it wont let go! LOL
Oxfordian
Well-known member
Now I know where all my fluff is coming from, thanks a lot
DistortedVision
Well-known member
I've used L'Art du Son with my Cadence Okki Nokki RCM for the past twenty years and it expensive but excellent.
I recently bought a ultrasonic cleaner:
Not got round to using it yet but planning on doing so with IPA. There are some people that think you should always use IPA to clean a record properly.
You should also watch this:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqLYy4OByRE
I recently bought a ultrasonic cleaner:
Not got round to using it yet but planning on doing so with IPA. There are some people that think you should always use IPA to clean a record properly.
You should also watch this:
DougK1
Well-known member
Pure IPA I would say no, but a solution of distilled water, IPA and Ilfotol makes an excellent cleaning solution.
Revolutions
Well-known member
DistortedVision
Well-known member
There is a raging debate on the optimum ratio of pure IPA and deionised / distilled water.
Al ears
Well-known member
There may be but I am not about to change my solution that has served me well for years....
Not the same solution I should add but same formula...
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spl84
Well-known member
Interesting discussion... I could not imagine EVER needing to clean my stylus with anything other than the tiny microfiber brush that I've been using for years. Every so often it gets caked up with dust and/or lint. Removing lint hardly requires solvent to remove it. Am I missing something?
nopiano
Well-known member
Back in the day I played lots of new records, and the tiny stray bits of vinyl and paper dust from the sleeves could fasten themselves fairly stubbornly to a stylus. The pressure per square inch is huge, even at 1.5 grams, because of the tiny contact area. Hence the grunge was almost ‘welded’ to the tip!
It was de riguer to use a stylus cleaning solution, hence it is still widely available. However, modern styli are much better shaped, and I’ve not needed this on my AT despite a hundred or so sides.
Din5
Well-known member
I'm sure you're aware of the fire risk of pure IPA, so probably best not to use it undiluted in your tank ( If that was what you intended !? ). The vapour is not good to breath either.
A solution should degrease your vinyl just fine, perhaps approx 20% strength, you could also add a very small dash of detergent.
I use Vinyl Shelter fluid which they state contains 20% isopropanol, I find this product works well as a record cleaner.
Come to think of it, a decent quality windscreen washer fluid with IPA in it should also work well, you may need to experiment with concentrations though.
A solution should degrease your vinyl just fine, perhaps approx 20% strength, you could also add a very small dash of detergent.
I use Vinyl Shelter fluid which they state contains 20% isopropanol, I find this product works well as a record cleaner.
Come to think of it, a decent quality windscreen washer fluid with IPA in it should also work well, you may need to experiment with concentrations though.
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