How to look after your Vinyl.

No-one can ignore the increased interest that vinyl records are currently experiencing again. The reassuring ‘crackle’ of the needle is one thing that people reminisce about…but this unwanted noise can be kept to a minimum if records are looked after correctly.

The problem is that records are susceptible to impurities such as dust contaminating that microscopic groove. We get daily enquiries from customers about the best way to care for their precious record collections, many which have been retrieved from the loft or garage after decades of storage – a breeding ground for Fungal Mould which likes to live on the surface and in the groove of vinyl records.

We carry a range of cleaning products dedicated to restoring and keeping your precious record collection in the best possible condition, from Gel & brushes to complete vacuum type cleaning machines. Below is a selection of vinyl care products:

The Pro-Ject VC-S Record Cleaning machine is the complete solution to restoring the performance of your vinyl records.

Operation of the VC-S MK II record cleaner is effortlessly simple. First, apply a small amount of cleaning fluid to the record surface using the supplied applicator bottle and set the new, quiet motor spinning. Then use the supplied goats’ hair brush to spread the fluid across the record surface, optionally changing the motor direction to ensure the entire groove is covered. Finally, set the vacuum arm over the record and turn the suction on. Within a few rotations (in both directions), the record side will be cleaned and dry, ready for playing like new.

The accumulated solution that’s sucked through the vacuum is filtered away from the built-in electronics and stored in a 2.5 litre waste container. The fluid level gauge on the side of the VC-S chassis indicates when the tank is nearly full, and discharging the waste liquid is effortlessly simple with the supplied funnel.

An optional interchangeable shorter arm is also available specifically designed to clean 7″ records.

ThePro-Ject VC-S MKII costs £349

A more hands-on manual approach than a vacuum machine, the Spin Clean Record Washer still obtains excellent results.

Anyone who has used the conventional brush-type record cleaner knows how awkward they are to use and that they have only a limited ability. The Spin-Clean® Record Washer System Mk II addresses the issue in a completely different way, enabling users to clean both sides of their records at once, without using the turntable as a cleaning platform. With a Spin-Clean® record washing system, you’re able to help preserve your precious turntable, stylus, and of course your record collection.

Spin-Clean Record Washer System Mk II’s secret weapon is its special washer fluid. This unique formula encapsulates the dirt that comes off the record and sinks it to the bottom of the washer basin so it is not re-deposited back on to your records during the cleaning process. To show this, the basin of the system is bright yellow so you can see the removed dirt accumulate at the bottom of the unit.

Spin Clean’s fluid is also alcohol-free, which makes it perfect for use with older Shellac records – as well as modern vinyl.

The Spin Clean Record Washer System MKII costs £90

There is little point spending all that time and effort cleaning your records if you then put them back in the original dirty sleeves. Goldring produce anti-static replacement inner sleeves to keep your nice clean records in pristine condition.

A pack of 25 replacement sleeves costs £24.

Despite its similarity in looks to the Slime of our childhood days, Pro-Ject Vinyl Clean is a high-tech compound that offers a quick and convenient, yet gentle and efficient, way to clean your precious vinyl records and other sensitive phono equipment.

Vinyl Clean’s special, patented composition allows for in-depth cleaning of vinyl records by reaching into the record groove and removing unwanted dust and debris. It works by encapsulating harmful impurities inside the compound, but the cleverest part is that it does all this without leaving any residue!

To use Vinyl Clean, gently roll (do not rub!) the compound over a vinyl record. It’s as simple as that!

The other essential thing is to keep your cartridge in good condition. One of the most important components in a whole vinyl hi-fi system is the often-overlooked cartridge. This tiny, micro-mechanical device is what reads the information pressed into a record’s groove, and therefore defines how much musical information you will hear through your set-up Make sure you keep the stylus clean and replace your stylus and/or cartridge regularly as a worn tip will severely inhibit performance.

You’ll be amazed how a new cartridge can raise the performance level of your turntable. We carry a wide choice of moving magnet and moving coil cartridges from Dynavector, Rega, Ortofon and Audio-Technica.

Call us for more details on upgrading your stylus or cartridge.