Care of Vinyl & Stylus

This document collates statements from record archivists, manufacturers of records and record playing equipment, and other professionals in the field.

For those in a hurry: The bottom line, re care of vinyl, is that over fussiness - multiple brushing, wiping, washing, etc - will harm sound quality in the long run (relative to other approaches), as will careless handling and storage.

Much of the online debate about record care seems based on personal belief and habit rather than factual analysis.

The U.S. Library of Congress seems to have come closest to a scientific approach to the subject (see 'Additional Notes') although the outcome of their multi decade experience is starkly minimalist. From the commercial side, Linn Products Ltd have dealt with these matters since the early 1970s; almost everything on this page coincides with their findings and advice. Their perspective is interesting since they could no doubt have made several millions extra profit by marketing 'Linn' branded cleaning products.

This page also addresses: static electricity issues, as well as stylus care (toward the end of the page).

The following points are numbered for reference - but the numbering does not necessarily indicate relative importance.

Update: I have updated the page to recognise the fact that most records purchased today have been previously used and may be in a filthy state.

That said, the best single comment: "Prevention is the best cure!"

 

 

1. Handle records as shown above. If you are new to vinyl, or returning after long absence, practice the above using a record you won't mind dropping.
2. Play records with the player's lid down and always return records to their sleeves immediately after enjoyment. Avoid leaving a record on the platter overnight, even with the lid down.
3. Stack records upright, loosely. Open racks or shelves are preferable to enclosed cabinets.
4. Avoid brushing and wiping records. If a brush is to be purchased, choose a brand name 'carbon fiber' type. There is anecdotal evidence that brushes and cloths spread mold spores from record to record.
5. Handle records in such a way that no part of the hand or finger touches the faces of the record, including the lead-in groove.
   Note:
   The common practice of pinching the edge of the record between thumb and finger is not recommend because, over time, oil deposits are tracked into the recorded area by the stylus (records handled this way tend to be unusually noisy for the first minute or two).
6. When is cleaning not cleaning? Superficial dust, IE visible on the top of the record, is not the cause of 'surface noise' and yet many people assume that wiping the record before play is a good idea. However, wiping or brushing the record will drive a percentage of superficial dust deep into grooves, where it will then be audible. To be clear, I agree with the recommendation of Linn, Naim, Rega, and others - that 'superficial dust' be ignored - it will eventually collect on the stylus, from which it is easily removed.
7. Avoid applying chemical fluids and sprays to vinyl records. Collateral issues can include fungus formation ('mold'); stylus clogging; degradation of the plasticizer ingredients in the vinyl (effecting long term wear performance). If you must wet clean, seek alcohol-free cleaning fluids.
8. Retain the lid on the turntable (ignoring popular 'audiophile' comment on the subject) and always have the lid down during play. The net result of this policy, in the long run, and taking all factors into account, is better sound, not worse.
9. "Look after the stylus and the stylus will look after your records." This assumes the record is fairly clean to begin with, perhaps having some superficial dust only.
   Note:
   The quote, (often miscredited to Rega founder Roy Gandy, though he certainly agrees with it) has been the cause of particular outrage amongst the audiophile intelligentsia. However, if you visit Rega's own demo room you will hear some of the best sound from records anywhere. And, last I knew, Linn and Naim avoid 'cleaning' their demo records, too. In the case of Linn, they have been directly involved in the recording, mastering and production of vinyl records over a period of decades and have little to gain from misinforming anyone regarding record care. I think it should be mentioned that this advice is based on the assumption that the record is bought new. Used, or fungus contaminated records, may have to be wet cleaned, at least once.
10. Don't lend your records. Let your friends hear them at your place.
11. If a record must be wet cleaned then use a low foaming surfactant based fluid that is alcohol-free. A scrub rinse using distilled water is needed, not only to remove detergent, etc, but also the calcium and other containments found in tap water (to illustrate: leave some tap water to dry on a shiny surface). BTW, cheaper 'de-ionized' water is marketed as being the same as distilled, but it's not quite. To dry, stand the record somewhere away from strong heat or direct sunlight. Never play the record damp or wet and do not put the record back into the sleeve while damp (keep in mind that moisture can linger in the bottoms of the grooves, ready to start/restart a mold infection). Check the inner sleeve for dirt and tearing. Where records have been mold effected (a common cause of stylus clogging) you will, unfortunately, need to replace the sleeves regardless of appearance - one mold spore is all it takes to restart the problem. Use the above recipe in conjunction with a vacuum record cleaning machine - used after the initial cleaning stage, and then after the final rinse.
12. For a 'no compromise' record cleaning machine, consider the Clear Audio "Smart Matrix Professional" (available here). For a cheap, but useful alternative, consider the "Doctor Record V."
13. Drying: vinyl begins to deform at relatively low temperature, and higher frequency information is especially vulnerable... Avoid short cut drying methods.
14. In the case of badly warped records, buy an additional copy, and discard or archive the original as applicable. There are issues with all the 'remedies' offered on the internet. For perspective, off center holes have more effect on pitch quality than moderate warps.
15. Re contamination that has occurred during storage and causes dull and/or gritty sound and a thick deposit on the stylus. Typically it's fungus ('mold') a problem that can occur in any house; record grooves are an ideal environment. Sometimes the growth is visible on the surface, but usually it's deep in the grooves. Repeat events can be avoided by changing the conditions of storage, and not spraying the records. Attempts to seal records against moisture can make matters worse. Ideally, store records off the floor, and not in an enclosed cabinet. BTW, brushes and cloths can spread spores from one record to the next.. In some situations, such as tropical climates, paper inner sleeves can help. If your records have been attacked by mold they will need to be wet cleaned (the labels dusted off first to remove spores). Post wash, the record must be absolutely dry before being put into a fresh inner sleeve. In some cases, the outer sleeve may need to be replaced, too.
16. Anti-static inner sleeves. 'Static neutral' would be less a potent marketing term, but more accurate. In any case, the sleeves work on the same principal as the packaging used for computer components (which can be destroyed by static). In this application, the sleeves reduce static charging on the record surface, hence particulate attraction, BUT this effect is negated if the user is in the habit of wiping and brushing their records before play. This is why some purchasers have made negative comments about anti-static sleeves (EG 'they made no difference.')
    I have used Nagaoka's "No102" sleeves with the following result: in a 'non intervention' record care regime, this product does do as claimed - the records tend to stay static free to a greater degree than with the standard inner sleeves.
17. So-called 'anti-static' brushes can increase static charging, depending on the circumstances.
18. Most static issues can be solved by NOT brushing and wiping the records at all (recommended), or at least not doing so immediately before play. This may require some folk to break an old habit.
19. The common practice of using a brush while the record is on the turntable platter is not recommended. In the case of certain turntables, such as the Linn LP12, the practice is strongly discouraged. The practice is also implicated in the 'sticking mat ' phenomenon (felt mat sticking to the record when the record is lifted off the platter - due to static charging).

Additional Notes

1. The U.S. Library of Congress is responsible for the preservation of an historically significant collection of vinyl recordings. After decades of experience and experiment, they have developed a care regime that stresses prevention over cure and, as a last resort, the sparing use of a mild, alcohol-free cleaning fluid.
2. It is stated by some that dirty or worn records can damage a stylus. Meanwhile, others (including myself) state the opposite. If there is an effect, then it is apparently not quantifiable. In any case, nobody has presented credible evidence, one way or the other. I get to inspect a lot of styli under a laboratory resolution microscope, including every new cartridge I install (and I also micro photograph the more expensive ones for future reference) IMO, stylus tip wear is primarily influenced by, in order of degree: 1) total hours of play; 2) hardness grade of diamond; 3) design of tip profile; 4) the way in which the arm has been adjusted (although this moves up the list in the case of severe misadjustment).
3. Can a worn stylus harm records? There is strong anecdotal evidence that, yes, a worn stylus does wear records at a greater rate than one in good condition. When new, the underside of the stylus tip is in fact rounded, not a 'needle' at all. As the sides wear down (against the groove walls), the tip gradually becomes sharply pointed, and while this is happening, the diamond is also becoming narrower. These changes lead to reduced tracking performance, diminished sound quality, and accelerated wear of records. At the extreme, the sound becomes obviously distorted and gritty, but by this time the tip is severely worn and has been wearing records at a faster rate. One problem with waiting until your ears warn you of a problem is the way in which memory works - humans are not good at assessing very gradual changes occurring over an extended period. IMO, it's better to replace 'too early' than take any risk with one's record collection. The way in which I assess stylus condition (which involves microscope examination), and the advice I give regarding when to replace, matches what is practiced at 'no compromise' oriented retailers such as "What You See And Hear" and the legendary "Cymbiosis." It is true that this conservative approach does result in a higher 'cost of ownership' than the more usual 'wait till it sounds bad' method. Ultimately, it's the customer's decision.

Stylus Care

• Use the supplied cleaning kit as demonstrated, and please ask any questions. 'Green paper' available as an addition where appropriate. (For those who arrived here via a search engine: I regret I don't supply items by mail).
• The stylus tip can acquire quality sapping deposits that are not visible(!) This is why gently cleaning the stylus even when it 'looks' clean can help improve and maintain sound quality.
• Both Linn and Dynavector advocate use of so-called 'green paper' - a lapping device used in the diamond trade. If it is used with caution, I agree that it can help maintain sound quality, and even extend the life of the stylus tip. However, improper use has the opposite effect.
• Resist the temptation to blow fluff from the stylus; a surprising amount of moisture can be forced into the cartridge where it can cause harm over time. Moving coil cartridges are more vulnerable to this issue.
• Avoid wet cleaners; fluids can 'wick' up the cantilever and cause mischief inside the cartridge (all types). Some fluids can even attack the glue that secures the diamond to the cantilever.
• Avoid the use of ultra-sonic or 'vibrating' stylus cleaners, which have been implicated in damage to cartridges. Dynavector has gone so far as to specifically warn against them.

 

The classic stylus accident...