How do you clean them?

[howardpgh]

I know everyone comes across dirty 78s, how do you clean them?
I would like to do this as simply and cheap as possible.
Right now I am using blue Dawn dishwashing liquid and a hand brush to clean them. I rinse them, dry them and let the records stand in a rack to totally dry.
It seems that they sound worse after cleaning.
Am I too aggressive with the brush or maybe the diluted Dawn is taking out the natural lubricants that may exist in the shellac.
I know cleaning won't make a worn out record sound any better.
Howard

[beaumonde]

There are lots of ways to clean 'em. Some swear by the Disc Doctor method (which is expensive, but apparently thorough). I use Groovy 78 cleaner from Bags Unlimited and a couple of microfiber cloths. The older collector I first knew in my early days in the hobby used a solution of powdered painters soap, or detergent and terri cloths. For really filthy discs I first run the surfaces under lukewarm water and scrub the grooves with an old toothbrush, then use the Groovy Cleaner. I personally have never used Dawn, although I can't imagine how the records can sound worse after using it; it seems rather mild, and you are diluting it down.

[celticguitar666]

I use Dawn, a little bit of Windex,white vinegar ( kills mold) and distilled H2o and my records clean up shiny I wash them with a micro bristle record brush or a micro fiber pad rinse them well under warm water quick dry and they sit in the dish rack until completely dry Never play them wet or even damp. Now depending how dirty they are it might take a couple of washes. If they are really worn washing will not do much if fact as you say they may sound worse. I find 78's will sound better on different machines. sometimes that dirt down deep just can't be gotten out I read somewhere you can if you use one of those hand held steamers if used gently. I get the best 78 sound out of my Victor RE45 it will play anything even really worn discs with ease, These records sometimes have to be coaxed to give their best sound.
Good luck it is always a work in progress
Grime doesn't play!
Dwight

[Wolfe]

Not dissimilar to this : http://youtu.be/-TJEynszr3g

Except I like to use a stiff toothbrush. Finer bristles to really get down in the groove - that's what you're aiming for, otherwise you're just moving dirt around.

This topic has been brought up at least several times on this list.

[celticguitar666]

Not dissimilar to this : http://youtu.be/-TJEynszr3g

Except I like to use a stiff toothbrush. Finer bristles to really get down in the groove - that's what you're aiming for, otherwise you're just moving dirt around.

This topic has been brought up at least several times on this list.

Be careful as not to put too much pressure while cleaning as records with invisible cracks will snap I usually hold them in my hand as opposed to a hard surface. I find that if they are that dirty to require that much pressure who boy they are beyond hope i would think. Most of the dirt should only be oil from skin touching the records, dust from sitting, maybe nicotine from smoke but the label would be yellow too if that was the case. Dawn dish is great if it will remove crude oil from baby ducks it should clean records just just by chemical action. Be careful with the labels dry them if they get wet very quickly as some will run/bleed or crinkle if wet too long especially red label Victors. anything that is deep down really won't come out I don't think so anyway. There is always the ultrasonic record cleaner or a disc doctor machine($$$$$) A couple of plays on a steel needle machine will usually plow up some crude too after washing them of course you will see some debris on the needle that will lessen with each play or just play them on a modern TT with right size 78 stylus it will ride in the right area of the groove avoiding the bottom where the real dirt is and the top of the groove where the scratches and wear is worse.
Just my 2 cents for getting the best these old records can offer the best way is to avoid the real beat records and hold out for better copies unless it's some thing rare or unique or you just have to buy it
Dwight

[Wolfe]

I like hard surface. Some fragile shellac "formulations" such as those you can find during WWII don't take well to any pressure applied to them unless they're solidly supported.

[52089]

I compromise on the above. 6 ounce juice glass with room temp water and 1 or 2 drops of Dawn. I use a soft bristle toothbrush. Records are placed on 2 thicknesses of hand towels on top of a hard countertop to give some cushioning.

Otherwise, as others noted, rinse carefully avoiding labels, wipe dry, allow to fully dry in a dish rack before playing.

[Orchorsol]

I use baby shampoo (no alcohol content) and a really old, natural bristle 4" decorator's brush with the bristles cut down short, sweeping plenty of times in both directions with the grooves. This works really well - only occasionally with really dirty records do I have to wash them a second time.

Yes, I find they are often slightly noisier at first but after a couple of plays they settle down again. It's only conjecture (maybe one day I will investigate with powerful magnification) but I imagine the dirt - probably a mixture of oil/grease and dust as others have said - infills and lubricates the worn, abraded regions of the grooves to some extent, leaving a clean but rougher damaged surface when it is gone. Maybe the next few plays knock the high spots off, and/or redistribute a smaller amount of dirt still left! This initial harshness does seem to happen to a lesser extent, or not at all, with near-mint records.

[welshfield]

I use a turntable from a modern phonograph with a rubber mat. I bolt it to a piece of plywood loosely enough that I can turn it by hand. I apply felt to a smaller rectangular attachment to my small shop vac. Then I prepare a bowl of tepid water with a few drops of Dawn and a second bowl of just water. I use two separate paint brushes (camel hair)one for each bowl. I brush on the detergent while spinning the turntable by hand. vacuum up the soapy water which is usually filthy. I then apply the fresh water and vacuum it up as well. I then do the flip side (if there is one). Finally I set the record aside on a towel laying it on a hard table surface to dry. I cleaned about 1000 dirty 78s in a few days this winter in this manner with absolutely no trouble. A few that were found cracked were fixed with a small drop of superglue after washing.
John