Home Disc Doc Brush Zerostat

For the Instructions shipped with the www.vinylcare.co.uk system click or Right Click to download. Instructions

THE DISC DOCTOR'S RECORD CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS

The requirements for a cleaner that will safely clean any type of disc record are strict. It must:
1) Be safe for repeated use on all types of synthetic plastic discs (vinyl, filled vinyl, styrene, and other formulations such as Victrolac or the phenolic resin playing surface of Diamond Discs) and all types of shellac and acetate recordings.
2) Readily clean away all contaminants usually found on records, whether gritty, sticky or greasy.
3) Clean away mold or mildew & remove spores to inhibit regrowth.
4) Not contain isopropyl alcohol, which can dissolve shellac surfaces, and cause the leaching of plasticizers from synthetic plastic pressings making them brittle and subject to excess wear. Methyl alcohol should also be avoided; undenatured ethyl alcohol concentrations must be kept to a minimum.
5) Not leave any residue on the record after cleaning.


THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE RECORD CLEANER, an extra strength formula, can be used to clean LPs, 45s, shellac and plastic 78s and Edison Diamond Discs. Approximately 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) is needed per side for 12" discs {average condition pressings are routinely cleaned with a diluted solution}. THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE RECORD BRUSHES are designed for a life time of use, have replaceable working surfaces, and are available in sizes matched to every disc format for the safest, most efficient cleaning.


PROPER CLEANING PROCEDURES ARE VITAL! extensive tests have shown that the following manual cleaning procedure affords superior results at minimal cost, while providing excellent insurance against record breakage and label fading.

COMMENTS ON MACHINE ASSISTED CLEANING: Cleaning may be facilitated by vacuum-assisted removal of CLEANER and rinse solutions. MIRACLE RECORD BRUSHES, sized to the record surface for cleaning, rinsing and dry brushing are the only accessories needed. see cleaning procedure for details. (non-vinyl discs require proper platter support to prevent breakage).

PLASTIC PHONOGRAPH RECORDS:
This category includes LPs; 45s; 78s such as RCA Victor DeLuxe, those made after 1956, most Victor "Program Transcriptions" & Edison Diamond Discs (see Comments & Cautions before cleaning).

SHELLAC PHONOGRAPH RECORDS:
This category includes 78 rpm laterals, such as Victor, Columbia, Brunswick, etc.; 33 1/3 rpm Victor "Program Transcriptions" pressed in shellac and 78 rpm verticals from Pathe, OkeH, Paramount, Vocalion, etc.

the general directions for cleaning micro-groove 33 1/3 and 45 rpm records also apply to acetate pressings and 78 rpm plastic & shellac recordings.

WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED:
1) THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE RECORD BRUSHES, matched to record size & surface for safe, efficient, Wet and Dry cleaning.
2) distilled water or equivalent; a clean container and one for waste (small aluminum loaf pans are ideal).
3) soft, 100% cotton rags for damp drying; readily available baby bath towels with stiched borders removed are an excellent source. 4-6 7" squares with the edges pinked are recommended. Non-perfumed, flat sheet toilet paper [6-8 pieces looses bundled] is an alternative. Scott brand is an excellant choice.
4) dish drainer: common vinyl-covered wire unit with drain pad for final air drying.

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BRUSHES USED TO CLEAN SHELLAC DISCS
MUST NOT BE USED ON VINYL PRESSINGS
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PREPARATIONS:
1) Work Surface: a flat, firm surface such as a kitchen table. A smooth surface under the record is needed to avoid scratching. lp turntable platter mats are excellent work surfaces; using a pair saves having to clean the work surface between sides. options include a piece of heavy plastic table cloth or oilcloth to protect the record and prevent wetting the table itself; the ribbed pad accompanying the dish drainer; a soft vinyl sink protector mat with raised ribs to channel water from the underside of the record.
2) Solution Strength: as purchased, THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE RECORD CLEANER is an extra strength solution suitable for cleaning every disc recording you own. Average condition vinyl pressings and well cared for shellac and acetate discs can be cleaned with a solution of 2 parts CLEANER to 1 part distilled water. PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION: To safely clean Pre-1910 shellac pressings, use a solution of 1 part CLEANER to 2 parts distilled water.
3) Rinse Water: fill clean container with warm distilled or filtered water.
4) Pre-brushing: for excessively dirty shellac or acetate pressings & Edison Diamond Discs a pre-brushing to remove loose dirt and debris is recommended before wet cleaning. Stand each dry record vertically on a piece of paper and dry brush the grooves with an inexpensive, tapered bristle paint brush (2-4" wide).


CLEANING PROCEDURE:

1) Place record flat on work surface. Apply CLEANER to a dampened DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE WET BRUSH (1/4 teaspoon or approx. 1.25 ml is generally sufficient). Work CLEANER into grooves with WET BRUSH by scrubbing sections of the record surface with a back & forth motion (six passes are usually adequate). Avoid wetting record label. Sop up CLEANER with a 7" cotton square & squeeze into waste container {NOTE: if cleaning pre-1910 or extremely dirty, greasy, or moldy pressings, it may be necessary to repeat step (1)}.
2) Saturate second WET BRUSH with distilled water from clean container. Work well into grooves as in step (1). Avoid wetting label. Sop up rinse water from record with a second cotton square & wring out into waste container. Use this slightly dampened cloth to gently wipe label. Always remove excess water from labels by patting, not wiping.
3) Remove dirty rinse water from the WET BRUSH by running your finger down length of the fabric. If needed, repeat step (2).
4) Dry work surface. Clean reverse side of record as above. Allow record to thoroughly air dry.
5) When dry, apply a carbon fiber brush to vinyl surfaces or a DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE DRY BRUSH to shellac, acetate & Edison Discs. Store in a fresh record sleeve. During initial playback the burnishing action of your stylus will hone the grooves of a properly cleaned disc resulting in improved tracing. Material deposited upon the stylus during this process is readily removed with available stylus brushes. Remember to brush every disc before & after each playback as described in step (5). Depending upon the type of stylus previously employed, several plays may be required to complete this process and to reveal the true quality of the disc in hand.

Comments and Cautions:
[1] EDISON DIAMOND DISCS: extra care must be taken to avoid wetting the outer edge and the spindle hole (areas where the core is exposed). Also avoid wetting paper labels as the top printed label is glued to pressed-in underlabel. Immediately sop up any liquid that accidently touches these areas. Never immerse a Diamond Disc. Allow records to air-dry for 4-6 hours before storage.
[2] SHELLAC PRESSINGS: dish-warped records must be cleaned with care to avoid breakage.
[3] LABEL FADE: OkeH maroon and Victor Red Seal labels are especially likely to fade. Center-start Pathe' records have etched label areas which must be kept dry or filler pigment will wash away.
[4] VICTROLAC PRESSINGS: these recordings may continue to exude an oily film which will require infrequent recleaning.
[5] REGULAR MAINTENANCE: all recordings should be dry brushed before and after regular use. Use a clean, carbon fiber brush on plastic discs and THE DISC DOCTOR'S MIRACLE DRY BRUSH on shellac pressings and Edison Diamond Discs.