Stylus Cleaning Methods

[Allan]

I did a search but there didnt appear to be much in the way of how to safely clean a stylus that has proven itself over time to be both effective & safe.

 

A few methods I found on the net & their apparent inherent issues;

 

• Ultrasonic Baths - some state possible cart suspension damage
• Onsow Zero Dust, a polymer tacky gel - some state this leaves a tacky residue on the stylus, if true it cant be good for dust collection
• Liquid Cleaning chems - some say the chems could deteriorate stylus adhesives
• Brushes - there's different types, I've found they are not effective when significant grime has adhered to the stylus

 

Have you a time proven, safe and effective cleaning method?

 

 

 

Edited December 17, 2023 by Allan

[scuzzii]

I use a MoFi stylus brush every 2 or 3 sides (or if there is visible fluff on the stylus).

 

Ultra sonic every month.  

 

Not had any issues.

 

 

[aussievintage]

1. Dry brush if fluff is visible.
2. Dip in magic eraser every  record.
3. Brush with AT cleaning fluid about once a week (at most)

 

[Addicted to music]

Avoid liquids unless it’s IPA.

[Ian McP]

Stylast is still around

https://recordclean.com.au/last-stylast-stylus-treatment.html

[cafe latte]

Isopropyl is the only way to go. Magic potions you dont know what is in them, also dipping a brush back into the same bottle you are introducing oils and grim into the cleaning solution which you dont want. Sticky pads leave a residue on the stylus and I have seen stylus pulled off with misuse too so best avoided in my opinion. Alcohol will not hurt glue, I wish it did it would make things easier to retip. The glue is epoxy and it is resistant to alcohol, epoxy can be used to fix a cart fuel tank when the solvent is in constant contact with it. A few seconds when you clean a stylus wont hurt anything.

Dont though drown the stylus, I spray a stylus brush and flickit so it is just damp, this is more than enough.

Chris

[stevoz]

I was an unabashed fan of 'sticky hands' (a child's toy) which is the same or very similar to Zerodust but after repeatedly experiencing varying level's of SQ and subsequently spying a glob of build up under magnification on the diamond I have returned to a simple stylus brush.....and clean my stylus at the start of each listening session, which usually lasts 3-4 LP's.

SQ is now always top shelf.

Maybe once a year I might do a liquid clean but aren't a total convert to this....besides my LP's are super clean after glue peeling anyway.

[Allan]

Good feedback @stevoz

I gotta get one of those digital magnifying thingy's

Edited December 18, 2023 by Allan

[mkaramazov]

I use an Audio Technica AT637 ultrasonic stylus cleaner, followed by AT cleaning fluid. The AT637 is out of production but can be sourced second hand. I clean every 2-3 sides. 

 

I have a small magnifying glass that I use to visually check the stylus - very useful when there is some gunk stuck there. 

[andyr]

21 hours ago, cafe latte said:

Isopropyl is the only way to go.

 

Agreed!  

 

21 hours ago, cafe latte said:

Don't drown the stylus, I spray a stylus brush and flick it so it is just damp, this is more than enough.

Chris

 

My preferred method is:

1. take a mouthful of vodka from the bottle
2. wiggle my tongue around in my mouth (so it's well coated with vodka)
3. extend my tongue out through my lips - taking care not to drip any alcohol - and lift my tongue so its top is touching the stylus
4. then stroke the stylus with the top of my tongue - of course, from rear to front
5. then swallow the vodka!

 

[astormsau]

I’ve had good success with the Hudson “UV” unit from Amazon for removing stubborn stuff the brush doesn’t seem to move. 
 

I’ve got a zero dust and a few other types of brushes and fluids but the Hudson works better than all of them and was worth a shot at $70. I use a standard round brush for regular cleaning and the Hudson every few weeks. I’ve got a VDH DDT2 cartridge which is pretty fragile. 
 

Hudson Hi-Fi Turntable UV Stylus Cleaner Vinyl Cleaning - Vinyl Stylus Needle Cleaner for Turntable Record Player - Anti Static Needle Cleaner for Turntable Accessories https://amzn.asia/d/6rkWnB3

[Allan]

On 19/12/2023 at 1:21 PM, andyr said:

 

Agreed!  

 

 

My preferred method is:

1. take a mouthful of vodka from the bottle
2. wiggle my tongue around in my mouth (so it's well coated with vodka)
3. extend my tongue out through my lips - taking care not to drip any alcohol - and lift my tongue so its top is touching the stylus
4. then stroke the stylus with the top of my tongue - of course, from rear to front
5. then swallow the vodka!

 

 

if I bought Vodka the stylus would never get cleaned

[Allan]

so think I'll move away from the Zerodust gel and go with dry brushing and the occasional UV bath, isopropyl only when and if needed 

 

thank yo'll

 

 

[mbic]

A J Van den Hul says not to clean you stylus, but keep your records clean.

Edited December 23, 2023 by mbic

[mbic]

I use green putty, it is best to keep any solvents away from the stylus.

[cafe latte]

1 hour ago, mbic said:

I use green putty, it is best to keep any solvents away from the stylus.

Not true, alcohol won't hurt epoxy.

Thr putty sticks to thr stylus and you end up with a cement like ball.

Chris

[metal beat]

2 hours ago, mbic said:

I use green putty, it is best to keep any solvents away from the stylus.

 

As Cafe said.  A recipe for disaster and gunk.

[mbic]

The putty is recommended by the Expert Styus Company who do retipping, if it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for me.

They have seen a large number of cantilevers that have suffered from the use of solvents.

[Warren Jones]

22 hours ago, Allan said:

so think I'll move away from the Zerodust gel and go with dry brushing and the occasional UV bath, isopropyl only when and if needed 

 

thank yo'll

 

 

 

Dry brush the stylus after every LP side and you will never need to use anything else.

[cafe latte]

9 hours ago, mbic said:

The putty is recommended by the Expert Styus Company who do retipping, if it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for me.

They have seen a large number of cantilevers that have suffered from the use of solvents.

This is simply not true, alcohol won't hurt your cantilever,  stylus or the glue. On the other hand I have seen thr cement goop ball that forms with the putty, I have also seen carts that stuck too well and pulled off the stylus with it.

Over at Vinyl Engine a member did an experiment with old stylus. He put various stylus in a jar of isopropyl alcohol for several weeks. Not a brush for seconds but totally submerged for weeks.

Thry were ten removed and tested and examined, and they were totally fine. They all played normally and no tips fell off.

Cleaning with alcohol we are using a damp brush and just on thr tip. We are not drowning the cantilever. Done this way the alcohol evaporates right away.

Chris 

[cafe latte]

59 minutes ago, Warren Jones said:

 

Dry brush the stylus after every LP side and you will never need to use anything else.

I disagree here. Yes dry brush often can keep thr stylus quite clean, but oils and grease, even vinyl debris can be more sticky.

My records are all cleaned, but now and again light use of a solvent brush gets the stylus new clean again.

Very clean records you wont need alcohol often but I feel now and again a wash is good thing.

Chris

[April Snow]

@cafe latte would a quick spray (not too close)  of this on the brush be a good thing to use? Is this a good product? (Think I may have some stashed which is why I am asking..........used it to clean a wall before sticking something up) 

I think I would trust your advice seeing you work with retipping every day 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by April Snow

[andyr]

4 minutes ago, April Snow said:

@cafe latte would a quick spray (not too close) of this on the brush be a good thing to use? Is this a good product? (Think I may have some stashed which is why I am asking..........used it to clean a wall before sticking something up) 

 

I think I would trust your advice seeing you work with retipping every day 

 

 

 

April - that should be fine ... providing it doesn't have anything else mixed in with the IPA (except for water); IOW it's quite pure.

 

Does it say in the label how pure it is?  BTW, you should be able to buy bottles of 99.5% IPA at your chemist ("Craig Pharmaceuticals", I think).

 

[April Snow]

3 minutes ago, andyr said:

 

April - that should be fine ... providing it doesn't have anything else mixed in with the IPA (except for water); IOW it's quite pure.

 

Does it say in the label how pure it is?  BTW, you should be able to buy bottles of 99.5% IPA at your chemist ("Craig Pharmaceuticals", I think).

 

Yes I wondered that, I picked it up from Bunnings from memory.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/diggers-125ml-isopropyl-alcohol_p1564443

 

Maybe I best not risk this one - I am just not sure what product to get that is pure 

[cafe latte]

5 minutes ago, andyr said:

 

April - that should be fine ... providing it doesn't have anything else mixed in with the IPA (except for water); IOW it's quite pure.

 

Does it say in the label how pure it is?  BTW, you should be able to buy bottles of 99.5% IPA at your chemist ("Craig Pharmaceuticals", I think).

 

I agree.

The Jaycar bottles are very pure. I buy alcohol in bulk, but the spray bottles at Jaycar are good for this.

Chris