Dear Sally,
I have a few questions to ask about a cleaning application I want to consider:
I am a collector of vinyl long-playing records (ie. lps) and want to try an ultrasonic cleaner to remove various contaminants from the playing surface. I have heard of this method being used for this application (with reported success); however, I would like to get an expert opinion. Most of the typical contaminants are general in nature: oils, greases, molds, pressing residues. In your opinion, would ultrasonic cleaning be a viable method to achieve what I'm looking for? Record grooves are very small in scale, so I'm curious whether ultrasonic cleaning would be effective.
If it would be an effective method, could you suggest a cleaning solution that would be best.
As for the best unit, given the dimensions of lps, one of the Branson B3510 units would be suitable. Ideally, I would have to immerse an lp about 3.5 to 4inches at most into a cleaning solution (the label should not be immersed). Would a tray be necessary for this application? If so, which one would you recommend?
Lastly, as for cleaning temperature, the range you recommend (around 140 deg F) would not be wise for this application, as the vinyl in lps becomes soft at this sort of temperature. Could you recommend an alternate temperature range?
Thanks, Andy R.
Dear Andy,
Great question, and a great application. Ultrasonics works great on vinyl records.
The most common technique is to orient the LP vertically, with a rod through the middle. Place the rod across the top of the cleaner, making sure the record label will not be immersed. Most people do this by adjusting the water level in the tank. For a solution, I would recommend clean water, and your are right, you want to keep the temp low so as not to deform or weaken the vinyl. We normally tell people to keep their wash solution between 140 and 170 F as this is the temp which gives the most efficient transmission of ultrasonic energy through the water.
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