FOUND: Labtone - Small Quantity or Group-buy

[stevenhman]

I'd like to purchase a small quantity of Labtone (a few oz.) from someone who bit the bullet and got the bulk package.

On the other hand, if enough people also want a small quantity then perhaps we could coordinate a group-buy.

[Curt A]

What do you use it for?

[Curt A]

This place has 8 lbs. for $104.98 - apparently it's a glass cleaner. Do you use it for record cleaning?

http://andwinsci.com/product/supplies/v ... er-2214196

[stevenhman]

What do you use it for?

I've read from several threads on here that people use it to clean records. It looks like a 'bare essentials' detergent that doesn't have any of the extras that most store bought soaps have. I found someone who is going to sell me some, if you're close by then I wouldn't mind sharing.

[edisonphonoworks]

You add it to tepid distilled water until the water feels slippery to the touch, and is used to clean cylinder records, both wax and celluloid, it is a cleaner for cleaning laboratory glassware, and does not leave residue and cleans very well. After you have scrubbed and cleaned your cylinder with a velvet cloth, or cotton balls you can rinse the cylinder in distilled water let it bead up on the outside and wipe again with lint less cotton wipes, and then put them on a pad of the wipes to further dry, and do not put back in any boxes until they are bone dry. This is the method used by the Library of Congress for cleaning records. I might add each wipe you use, is not used on another record, only for the record you are cleaning, no double dipping, that is you use especially your scrubber wipe only one each cylinder, and do not dip a soiled wipe back in the solution.

[rgordon939]

The best product for cleaning wax cylinders is Labtone used with deionized water NOT DISTILLED WATER. Distilled water contains minerals that will be deposited back on the cylinder, deionized water is mineral free. As Shawn said above this is what the Libary of Congress uses as well as the University of California for the preservation of cylinders. After cleaning and drying the cylinders I wrap them in 4X4 clean room wipes that I buy from Grangers and store them in thier original boxes. I've also attached the instructions for cleaning cylinders. #3 is the most important. Gently drag the cloth across the cylinder, do not SCRUB with it.

In the past I listed on eBay a 2 ounce package of Labtone along with a 4" square polyester velvet cloth and a printed instruction for cleaning wax cylinders for $5.95 plus shipping. If there is enough interest I will make up more kits and realist them on eBay so let me know.

Rich Gordon

[Tpapp54321]

When I looked up some information on Labtone I found this: https://www.mail-archive.com/phono-l@ol ... 09347.html
So, has anyone else tried using alconox detergent powder on Cylinders? It would be nice if it really works as it seems to be much more affordable.
-Tom

[edisonphonoworks]

That is true. You have to look at the label. You do want to get water that is De-ionized, that is true, I automatically look for it on the process label. That is true, you will find though when you go to the section with distilled water there is some that is steam distilled, and others that is De-ionized. I forgot to mention that. I though do not think that submersion in the solution is wise, as you are cleaning a moldy cylinder, the idea is not to spread the mold, if you submerge the cylinder, you contaminated the water! Did you know that the hydrated alumina (for those who do not know or do not believe brown wax is a metallic soap just like black wax.) Hydrated alumina is made by dissolving lye in water and then adding aluminum. The aluminum dissolves, making an aluminum and sodium salt. I took a photo, of what the solution looks like when liquid, and some that has dried that was spilled, so you can see the crystal pattern. when it was made in the winter (especially at Columbia) snow was melted for the "distilled" water for it, and probably had minerals in it.

[need4art]

A Fellow conservator at the Library of Congress who worked on their cylinder project told me about Labtone 14 years ago when he found out I was getting into cylinder phonographs. I had a spare cylinder mandrel and epoxied a 12 inch lenght of copper tubing to one end. I slide the cylinder on and spray labtone on the center of the cylinder and use a damp micropore wipe that I hold lightly around the cylinder and I rotate it in the micropore wipe. I use this method on 4 min cylinders using care not to get the mixture inside the cylinder. I use another damp ome to rewipe the cylinder than I put it aside to dry.

I use this product on records as well

I have checked the residue left on cylinders with both steam distilled water, and deionized water and with a 100 power dual lense microscope I cannot see any difference in residue content but if you chose to use the deionized water so be it.

Its getting harder to find the deionized water and I ended up buying my last few gallons at a salt water fish store, I actually use it for restoring antique etchings but have found that steam distilled water is an excellent substitute for it for that process.
Abe