Stylus cleaning and maintenance

[mksharan]

Hi,
Being new to the vinyl world, I would like to get the views of experienced members regarding cleaning and maintenance of stylus.
Please suggest home made or value for money products that would help in cleaning and maintaining the stylus.

I found a short article on this issue on vinylengine :
http://www.vinylengine.com/examining-your-stylus.shtml

Thanks,
Manoj

 

[stevieboy]

Hi mksharan,

I use a mix of isopropyl alchohol 20% or 10% and distilled water 80% or 90% and a paintbrush. Dip the brush in the solution, sponge excess off against the side of container and brush gently from back to front of the stylus ONLY, let it dry a bit before playing. Depending on cleanliness of LPs, every few lps or longer.

Tons of cleaners available online, liquids, gels like the Onzow.

Regards

 

[gobble]

I used to clean the stylus as a kid, using a simple medium soft brush (harder than paintbrush). No special knowledge or technique is required. Do it a few times and automatically your mind will discover the right way to do it. The diamond needle is likely to undergo more stress while the needle is on the vinyl than while you run a soft brush over it.

I fail to understand why this and L.P cleaning is made to look like such a black art by everybody. If you have a 10 year old kid, just ask him to do it and he will learn to do it right, if he is careful by nature and loves and appreciates the sound of your HiFi.

No need to be neurotic about it.

Cheers

 

[mahiruha]

Hi,
I personally use onzow zerodust for cleaning the stylus. It is fairly good and very easy to use. The good thing about it is it comes with a magnifier as well which you can use for stylus inspection. I have bought several jewellers lupe for stylus inspection but found the magnifier with onzow to be the best.
Thanks.

 

[malvai]

You're absolutely right Gobble...

But.... when one is dealing with cartridges costing in the realm of USD 2500 and beyond, i'd say better to be known as a neurotic than a simpleton...

I used to clean the stylus as a kid, using a simple medium soft brush (harder than paintbrush). No special knowledge or technique is required. Do it a few times and automatically your mind will discover the right way to do it. The diamond needle is likely to undergo more stress while the needle is on the vinyl than while you run a soft brush over it.

I fail to understand why this and L.P cleaning is made to look like such a black art by everybody. If you have a 10 year old kid, just ask him to do it and he will learn to do it right, if he is careful by nature and loves and appreciates the sound of your HiFi.

No need to be neurotic about it.

Cheers