Pre-clean
your record beforehand, you’ll thank us later. This could be as simple as a
cleaning kit with a felt pad and some good old-fashioned vinyl cleaning spray.
If you’ve already splashed out you might own something like the Pro-Ject VCE
record cleaning machine, which does a more thorough job of basic cleaning.
Pairing a
pre-clean with any ultrasonic vinyl record cleaner is the way to go. When
you’re done, sit back and enjoy your music.
How do
ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners work?
Cleaners
like these are used to safely deep-clean delicate jewellery, so this is not an
abrasive or destructive method. Ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners use the same
tried and tested scientific principle to effectively 'vibrate' those dastardly
dust particles out of the grooves.
For vinyl
record cleaning a machine will usually have a reservoir partly filled with
cleaning solution. Some machines heat the fluid to a safe temperature. After
placing your vinyl on a motorised spindle, the machine rotates the record
through the solution, avoiding the all-important label.
The real
magic happens with the addition of ultrasonic waves. These travel through the
fluid at high frequency, creating tiny air bubbles which essentially shake the
dirt from the record. With the addition of a surfactant to your cleaning
solution, the dirt floats to the bottom of the machine, leaving your record
much cleaner than before.
What
features should you look for?
So, you've
taken your prize record collection out of your trusty vinyl storage crate and
taken a good look at the grooves. The features you're most likely to need will
be down to you. Since most ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners can handle most
kinds of grime, you should have good results no matter which machine you
choose.
There are
always differences between ultrasonic record cleaning machines though; more
often than not when it comes to practicalities like cleaning time, recommended
cleaning solution and drying time. The answer here is to think carefully about
what you expect from a machine. Here are some key features to keep an eye out
for:
Tank size
Depending
on how many records you're likely to be cleaning in one go, you'll need a tank
that's large enough to hold enough fluid to avoid frequent refills. If you're
only going to clean in small batches, tank size is much less of an issue.
Manual vs
automatic
You may be
a collector who likes to take full control of your record cleaning. But if
you’d rather entrust all of that to the right machine, look for partly or fully
automatic functions
Removable
water tanks
You don’t
always want to throw away your cleaning solution, so looking for a removable
tank may work for those who don’t mind lifting and pouring. Others might prefer
an ultrasonic vinyl record cleaner with a built-in pump to empty the tank
Frequently
Asked Questions:
Is an
ultrasonic record cleaner worth it?
Unsurprisingly, this all comes down to your budget. More costly machines do have an impressive array of bells and whistles, but you probably don't need all of them to still end up with a well-cleaned record. You might decide that a vinyl LP that’s seen a lot of action is hardly worth cleaning. As for the rest, what price you put on your listening pleasure is down to you - but remember: clean records need good amplifiers for turntables, and speakers that are up to the job.
Are
ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners dangerous?
Ultrasonic sound waves at the frequencies used by these machines are safe to be around. We wouldn’t recommend putting your head inside one to see if it sounds like experimental jazz though.
What
cleaning solution should I use?
The vast
majority of devices will work with distilled water, as this contains no
minerals or pollutants that may leave a residue on the record. Many collectors
recommend adding a few drops of 'surfactant' - a vinyl-safe chemical that
encourages the dirt to attract itself to the fluid, not the record.
Depending
on your budget you should look at how pricey the recommended cleaning solution
will be. As the proud owner of a spanking-new ultrasonic cleaner, you may not
appreciate the ongoing cost of a replacement solution just for the sake of
following the manufacturer's advice.
How long is
the cleaning cycle?
As the record rotates through its ultrasonic bath, there's usually a timer running. Often there are different options here, from light to deeper cleaning, which means a shorter or longer run-time. Typically anywhere from five to 10 minutes will be enough, followed by a 10-minute drying cycle - but this will vary depending on the ambient temperature of the room you’re cleaning in.
How noisy
are ultrasonic vinyl record cleaners?
With great
power comes the potential for a great deal of noise. These machines work by
generating high-frequency sound waves, so it's not totally unexpected for them
to make some amount of audible noise. How much you think you can handle will
depend on how close you are to it while it's on. The rated sound level, in
decibels, can normally be found in the specifications. Where they’re not
listed, user reviews are your best friend.
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