The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was wondering what type of alcohol to use to clean Edison Diamond Discs? Denatured alcohol? Isopropyl alcohol?

Or would any generic form of Rubbing alcohol be OK?

Thanks,
Jarret

I have used both 70% and 91% isopropyl alcohol from the drugstore over the years. I've never found a real difference in this application.

If a disc is really dirty, I will use a slightly damp paper towel to remove the bulk of the dirt. After that, it's alcohol on cotton balls, rubbed in the direction of the grooves, until the ball comes nearly clean. It sometimes takes several balls to clean a single side.

The less water the better! I use methyl alcohol myself and have never had a problem.
Abe

I usually use denatured alcohol and good quality paper towels. Works fine with no ill effects I can see.

Clay

I've been using denatured alcohol from Home Depot. A gallon does not cost much more than the smaller size and goes a LONG way.

I'd use denatured. It does not have any water in it.
Water in any amount is very bad for DD records.
Rubbing alcohol and "isopropyl" tends to have water in it.

Chuck

IMHO, water is only bad for Diamond Discs is you get it on the thick edge or the spindle hole because the wood flour in the core will absorb the water and swell. The condensate surfaces of the actual record seem to be pretty waterproof.