How do I clean dust off of a cantilever?
- Thread starter assessor43
- Start date
I ended up having to use liquid cleaner to get the hardened debris off of the cantilever. sounds much better now. I allowed it to thoroughly dry before playing any records.
I removed my SME 3012R headshell from the arm at the rear of the table and noticed a bunch of dust on the cantilever and tiny wires around the coils of my vdh cartridge. I used a small, very soft painter's brush to carefully wipe away the dust. Tough because those vdh wires are so thin and everything is so exposed. The process was made much easier because of the removable headshell.
When finished, the cartridge looked brand new. I think the dust was from my Magic Eraser abrasive pad. I was quite surprised that the sound improved. I wonder if the dust on the coils really made such a difference or if simply removing the headshell from the armwand cleaned the contacts a bit. Regardless, sound improved.
I have never seen "hardened debris" on my cantilever. Only dust particles that are easily removed. The stylus is a different matter. The vdh stylus is radically different in size and shape from my MySonicLab and AirTight stylii. The latter two are much longer with a more defined shape and under magnification, they are much easier to view to confirm cleanliness.
When finished, the cartridge looked brand new. I think the dust was from my Magic Eraser abrasive pad. I was quite surprised that the sound improved. I wonder if the dust on the coils really made such a difference or if simply removing the headshell from the armwand cleaned the contacts a bit. Regardless, sound improved.
I have never seen "hardened debris" on my cantilever. Only dust particles that are easily removed. The stylus is a different matter. The vdh stylus is radically different in size and shape from my MySonicLab and AirTight stylii. The latter two are much longer with a more defined shape and under magnification, they are much easier to view to confirm cleanliness.
L’Art du Son has a relatively new stylus brush that works well.
https://anamightysound.com/shop/accessories/cleaning/lart-du-son-stylus-brush/
https://anamightysound.com/shop/accessories/cleaning/lart-du-son-stylus-brush/
Audiophile brushes are okay. I suggest considering artist brushes.
I use half Sable and half Nylon brushes in 00 and 000 sizes. Very fine tips work well on both stylus and cantilever with a magnifier. The nylon give just enough strength to keep the tip straight yet flexible. The sable is soft and picks up dust, tiny hairs, etc.
https://www.cheapjoes.com/joe-miller-signature-series-50-50-round-size-000.html
https://www.cheapjoes.com/joe-miller-signature-series-50-50-round-size-00.html
I use half Sable and half Nylon brushes in 00 and 000 sizes. Very fine tips work well on both stylus and cantilever with a magnifier. The nylon give just enough strength to keep the tip straight yet flexible. The sable is soft and picks up dust, tiny hairs, etc.
https://www.cheapjoes.com/joe-miller-signature-series-50-50-round-size-000.html
https://www.cheapjoes.com/joe-miller-signature-series-50-50-round-size-00.html
Forget brushes. Forget air cannisters. You guys are all over-thinking it. The best way to clean a stylus is covered explicitly in this video precisely at 5:01.
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/rcms-are-dead-hire-this-guy-instead.27308/#post-553131
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/rcms-are-dead-hire-this-guy-instead.27308/#post-553131
I've had good results with Onzow Zerodust.
Fremer likes it, too (for whatever that's worth).
Analog Planet
Fremer likes it, too (for whatever that's worth).
Analog Planet
Last edited:
I clean after every LP side with DS Audio ST50-pad and after 5-6 sides with LAST. Often a the dust close to the stylus leaves the cantilever. If the dust remains under the cantilever, I use a brush always in direction to front. Hard to remove are dust filaments on top of cantilever or between body and cantilever. The brush is too big and IMO to dangerous. There I blow strongly with my mouth and up to now the dust left my cart. A can I feared to be to dangerous....
Fwiw, we did this discussion about a year ago. A helpful thread:
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/how-do-you-clean-your-stylus.27257/
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/how-do-you-clean-your-stylus.27257/
I've had good results with Onzow Zerodust.
Fremer likes it, too (for whatever that's worth).
Analog Planet
Keep in mind that Fremer only reviews audiophile products.
