Record deck cleaning and static

Posted by: Raphael on 11 April 2003

Hi there
A couple of queries just to see if anyone has some solution (sic).
First of all about 15 years ago(!) I bought some QED stuff for renovating/cleaning the dust cover on my record deck. It came as two compounds - the first was a very gentle version of T-cut which removed any small scratches from the cover and the second was the more normal anti-static spray stuff. QED have stopped making this now and I cannot find any alternatives to the first stuff and I don't really want to take T-cut to my Linn cover.
Secondly, what does everyone do about static on vinyl. The problem is solved when I clean a record on my VPI cleaner but I don't want to keep cleaning a record. I cannot find any source for Zerostats these days - what does everyone else do about this problem? Some records are so charged that the Linn felt mat stick to them!
Finally I did buy a Onzow Zerodust to keep the cartridge stylus clean and it works a treat - recommended!
Cheers
Raphael

Posted on: 11 April 2003 by J.N.

Raphael

Good old fashioned 'Brasso' is the best thing for removing minor scratches from perspex lids.

It has been said many times before, that the best thing to clean a record with, is a stylus. Regularly played discs seem to stay clean and quiet.

If I encounter any static problems; I just peel the felt mat off the record and put it back on the platter.

I'd be very careful about putting any fluid on records, unless it's going to be thoroughly vacuumed off, as with a VPI or similar professional machine.

Good luck.

Posted on: 11 April 2003 by robw

I agree about using Brasso for the perspex lid. You may be slightly worried at first but with a bit of elbow it will come up like new.

I find Nagaoka inner sleeves (or the Moth equivalent)are quite good for reducing static but could turn out to be expensive if you have a large collectiion of vinyl.

Posted on: 11 April 2003 by Brad

spray some Nordost ECO 3 on the platter (take the felt of first), wipe it of with a pice of cloth.

brad

Posted on: 11 April 2003 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly

Knosti Disco Antistat seems to work for me - various reports on this forum, cost around £50.

Regards

Mike

Posted on: 17 April 2003 by Raphael

Thank you very much for all of you who replied to my query. I shall give them a try.
Cheers
Raphael

Posted on: 17 April 2003 by Rob Doorack

The Zerostat is still very much available. I don't know who sells them in the U.K. but one source in the U.S. is Music Direct. They seem to last forever; I've owned one for probably a quarter century and it still works. Another solution to the static problem is to raise the humidity in your hi fi room. Use a small evaporative humidifier (not a steam humidifier, it'll leave fine dust - like mineral deposits everywhere) or even a couple of house plants in the room.

Posted on: 17 April 2003 by robw

Raphael,

The Zerostat antistatic gun is available by mail order from Hi-Fi News& RR Accessories Club (aka Moth Group) priced £37.50 including p&p.

Their website is www.britishaudio.co.uk

Robert

Posted on: 17 April 2003 by Steve B

quote:
Another solution to the static problem is to raise the humidity in your hi fi room. Use a small evaporative humidifier (not a steam humidifier, it'll leave fine dust - like mineral deposits everywhere) or even a couple of house plants in the room.

I agree that humidity is the key to tackling static.

During the recent dry weather we've had in the UK I've received many static shocks when touching metal objects.

My listening room is across the landing fom my bathroom, so when I have a shower I can leave both doors open to increase the humidity. Whenever I do this, static is dramatically reduced.

Steve B

Posted on: 17 April 2003 by Tim Jones

I had big static problems a few months ago. Then I figured out that the problem seemed to stop when I wasn't, er, wearing rubber soled shoes. Really.

Other than that, good sleeves (Nagaoka, etc) seem to work well. Also keeping a plant or two (regularly watered) in the listening room seems to help. This helps keep up the humidity.

Tim