Stylus cleaning

[djb]

No doubt we have been here before but a recent failure has made it obvious I need a new SCM (stylus cleaning method) .

A thrift shop Lp poorly cleaned by me with an ancient un seen spill left a hardened fur ball that a furry cat would have been pleased to cough up.

In the past I have used :

1artist brush after every play <worked

2 "Magic Eraser"<worked better

And am now seriously considering "Zerodust" as the best solution for my quite specific need.

During this research came across the cheapie version of this called "sticky hands" and various zero dust imitations.

What have others found efficacious?

Suggestions please

Horror stories

[bzr]

An alcohol based  solution in a bottle with internal brush in lid the same as a mascara set-up & Onzow. Buy a new stylus & get a nifty little brush made for it too.  I love the dust brush that came with my Benz LP-S, sounds like you are ripping someones ******* out their throat every swipe.

[vwo60]

Do not use a wet cleaner as it can get into the cartridge coils, i use a stiff brush dry and a zero dust.

[Guest yamaha_man]

I sandblast my Clearaudio daVinci V2, try it, works a treat.

[djb]

@ so are you back on fim soil or just bored on board?

[Guest yamaha_man]

The former my good man.

[Andrew.S]

Asides from using carbon fibre brush before each play, I use this peroidically;

http://www.decibelhifi.com.au/disc-doctor-stylus-cleaner-fluid-brush-kit/

[Full Range]

No doubt we have been here before but a recent failure has made it obvious I need a new SCM (stylus cleaning method) .

A thrift shop Lp poorly cleaned by me with an ancient un seen spill left a hardened fur ball that a furry cat would have been pleased to cough up.

In the past I have used :

1artist brush after every play <worked

2 "Magic Eraser"<worked better

And am now seriously considering "Zerodust" as the best solution for my quite specific need.

During this research came across the cheapie version of this called "sticky hands" and various zero dust imitations.

What have others found efficacious?

Suggestions please

Horror stories

I spotted this product at vinyl eye - http://vinyleye.com.au/vinyl-accessories/onzow-zero-dust-stylus-cleaner/prod_775.html

[dwbasement]

I use zerodust, it is by far one of the best compare to other brush, cleaning agent...etc

It's convenient and does the job brilliantly.

They are much cheaper now, I bought mine for around $40 including shipping from Japan on ebay.

[Viognier]

I used an Oznow periodically until recently when I saw my 12 month old stylus under a scope. Filthy to the point impossible to line up for correct VTA. Like @@vwo60 I always had the view to keep liquids away but I had to use a liquid stylus cleaner to get the gunk off. I now use the Oznow more frequently.

[Addicted to music]

Any brush is OK or even an ultrasonic cleaner. However I refuse to use any liquids as my Asak cart had coil corrosion hence no output on a channel.

Edited December 17, 2014 by pchan

[djb]

The Zerodust does seem best for my application

a google search showed many ppl opposed to the brush on liquid

Good to know that Vinyl eye has ZERODUST in stock

Edited December 18, 2014 by djb

[andyr]

Do not use a wet cleaner as it can get into the cartridge coils, i use a stiff brush dry and a zero dust.

 

Only if the cartridge has a hollow (aluminium tube) cantilever.

 

Andy

[andyr]

No doubt we have been here before but a recent failure has made it obvious I need a new SCM (stylus cleaning method) .

A thrift shop Lp poorly cleaned by me with an ancient un seen spill left a hardened fur ball that a furry cat would have been pleased to cough up.

In the past I have used :

1artist brush after every play <worked

2 "Magic Eraser"<worked better

And am now seriously considering "Zerodust" as the best solution for my quite specific need.

During this research came across the cheapie version of this called "sticky hands" and various zero dust imitations.

What have others found efficacious?

Suggestions please

Horror stories

 

David - you're a "Linnie"!   (Don't deny it - I saw your LP12 with my own eyes, yesterday.  )

 

Therefore you should know that The Gospel According To St Ivor is ... you use the 'holy' (blessed by Ivor) green sandpaper on your stylus. :lol:  Cheap, primitive - lasts for ever ... but as you're a trendy, inner-city hipster you'll probably go for one of these modern devices!

 

 

Regards,

 

Andy

[vwo60]

My micro benz does not have a hollow canterlever and it still travelled up the stylus, hence why i only use a dry cleaning system, play it safe.

[bzr]

Only if the cartridge has a hollow (aluminium tube) cantilever.

 

Andy

  Also try not to put the cartridge so far into the bucket :sarcasm alert:  Remember, we are treating a stylus here, minimalistic is your friend.

[David.M]

I use the Onzow before each side & the Lyra fluid after every 2nd session, the Onzow lid (magnification) helps my ageing eyes to see that I apply the fluid only on the stylus & not up the cantilever

[Addicted to music]

My micro benz does not have a hollow canterlever and it still travelled up the stylus, hence why i only use a dry cleaning system, play it safe.

 

Absolutely,

 

never again I will use liquids for sylus cleaning.....

 

@@djb,  @@andyr,

 

i wouldnt even trust liquids on your stylus,  even though Im not a vinyl fan boi......  

[andyr]

My micro benz does not have a hollow canterlever and it still travelled up the stylus, hence why i only use a dry cleaning system, play it safe.

 

Interesting to know that.  Thanks.

 

Andy

[markus46]

I use the stylus cleaner that came with my Zerostat kit.  On the very rare occasion I will apply a drop of the stylus cleaning solution that came with the kit to the bristles beforehand.

 

I'm not sure where I read this, but some advocate lowering the stylus on a ball of blu tack.  I haven't tried this personally so YMMV.

[djb]

Zerodust is I believe a very much more sophisticated substance than blue tack!

While I haven't read up on it in any detail "sticky hands" would seem ,it is suggested, to be made of a substance very similar to. Zero dust in its efficacy.

I leave intrigued readers to search eBay or the grand children's play pens

At 6 for $2.99 posted .... Maybe.

[Citroen]

I use a stylus brush before playing each side of an lp.

 

Sometimes, I'll just blow on the stylus to get rid of any gross fluff. Then use the brush.

 

Occasionally dunk in the Oznow, after using a Magic Eraser.

 

I have some Stylast product somewhere but have only used it a couple of times. Must try to find it...

[Owen Y]

Is the Magic Eraser (melamine foam) no longer in favour?

I still use one.

Easy to use & less brutal than my Stylast brush.

 

Cheers, Owen

Dark Lantern blog - http://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/

[djb]

I still like the magic eraser there is a school of thought that says it can remove your stylus

[djb]

Magic Eraser (melamine foam) Explained

There are probably many newer TT owners who haven't picked up on this product.

Magic Eraser is a foam block that on the shelf looks like any other kitchen sink sponge but is made of melamine designed for anti graffiti work. Magic Eraser's composition means that when you gently press the stylus into its white surface it "grabs" the gunk (tech term)

The Magic Eraser blocks are used dry and last indefinitely.

They can be found in most larger super markets along side similar kitchen items ME cost about 50% more than the ordinary ones.

NO they are not the same and while they work for me you use them at your own risk. Some of our more anal-ogue members see them as a danger.

The more expensive the cart the more wary we become.

Happy to make corrections if I've misremembered things

Edited December 18, 2014 by djb