Record Cleaning and Realistic Expectations

[jim94025]

I recently purchased some Audio Intelligent solution #15 enzymatic pre clean to use with my VPI 16.5 prior to my usual cleaning with Disc Doctor cleaning solution followed by 3 distilled water rinses. I picked a record that had come from a collection in a particularly moldy room.The record was in excellent condition other than faint white splotchy marks all over that I assumed were mold. I pretreated with AI #15 for 5 min per AI’s instructions. After further cleaning and drying, the record was cleaner, but the splotches remained. Did I do something wrong? Could the splotches be something else?

A second record had inner runout marks I assumed were from the old plastic inner sleeve, but after going thru the same process, these marks did not clean up as well...Hmmm?

Would an US RCM like a Degritter do a better job? Other thoughts?

Please see the pics below.

 

[Kingrex]

There is dirty and there is damaged.
How do they play?

Have you read Timas DIY record cleaning thread. Very long. A few divergent sections. Good info on chemicals to use and how to use them.

 

[tima]

The record was in excellent condition other than faint white splotchy marks all over that I assumed were mold.

Rex has the right question: how does it sound?

I have seen markings like what are shown in your photos. Looking at those and from my experience with Audio Intelligent No. 15 and others of their enzyme cleaners, those marks may not be removable. I could be off base here -- speculation on my part. Leaving the enzyme solution on the record for longer than the product recommendation may help.

Check this discussion on cleaning moldy records, which involves hand and ultrasonic cleaning.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/thre...-cleaning-explained.36690/page-14#post-987305

 

[jim94025]

Rex has the right question: how does it sound?

I have seen markings like what are shown in your photos. Looking at those and from my experience with Audio Intelligent No. 15 and others of their enzyme cleaners, those marks may not be removable. I could be off base here -- speculation on my part. Leaving the enzyme solution on the record for longer than the product recommendation may help.

Check this discussion on cleaning moldy records, which involves hand and ultrasonic cleaning.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/thre...-cleaning-explained.36690/page-14#post-987305

I agree...that IS the question and I will get to it this weekend. That said, I was just as curious to see how often this kind of mold is resistant to removal and it seems that it's not uncommon.

 

[jim94025]

What about the second picture of the record with the run out groove markings? Plastic residual from inner sleeve and moist environment?