Record Care: The Solution

The Keith Monks Record Cleaning Machine overcomes the problems of cleaning records with a wet, followed by dry phase operation.

On the front panel is a mains rocker switch, which in one position activates the turntable at about 80 rpm and in the second position the turntable operates again but also the vacuum pump comes into action, with the suction arm travelling over the top of the record from the inside to the leading edge.

To the left of the turntable is a brush block assembly carrying an antistatic nylon brush with smooth pointed tips. The brush assembly can be locked into position for the brush to make contact with the record surface or, when not in use, the assembly is fixed away from the record, so it can be easily removed after cleaning.

Liquid is applied via the hand pump on the top deck, linked via plastic tubing to the clean fluid container and the brush block, out of which the correct fluid is secreted on to the bristles.

The brush then sets about distributing the fluid across the entire record grooves, the leading edge, and the portion between the last groove and the label. This enables the brush to safely dislodge more stubbornly embedded particles without harming the groove and its subtle HF modulations.

The recommended type of alcohol is ethanol with a proportion of 6% methanol spirits. Before use, this is mixed with a quality grade of distilled water. On no account should isopropyl alcohol be used as in our opinion it leaches the record surface. In addition it builds up noise levels after 2 or 3 cleaning processes.

After 30 seconds the wet phase is complete with the record side immersed and the dislodged dirt in suspension. Other contaminants such as household sprays, greasy finger marks, fume condensation film, and residue from direct spills (tea, coffee, cola etc) will all have been dissolved too.

The brush is now swung clear and the arm assembly to the right of the turntable is drawn across to the centre of the disc. The reason for this is to allow centrifugal force to flick the liquid to the outside of the record. The arm is connected to a powerful vacuum pump (20" MERCURY pressure) via tubing to the dirty liquid container, and then up to the PTFE polished nozzle at the end of the suction arm.

The nozzle is highly polished to avoid any marks on the record surface, and is supported above the record surface by a slow moving nylon thread that acts as a buffer between the nozzle and the surface. In addition this thread takes with it dirt lodged around the nozzle and in the tubes. A motor reels out the thread so that it is continuously changed.
The liquid and dirt is deposited in the dirty liquid container, along with the spent thread.

The whole process takes about 70 to 80 seconds per 12" LP side.

There are adaptations available for 7", 10" and 16" records and Keith Monks are now producing a version for the collector/user for standard records as well as Shellac records.

If you used the standard machine with alcohol on Shellac records it would completely wipe the material from the surface of the record, so for these records we suggest distilled water on its own with a very mild soap solution. When the record has been cleaned on both sides it is advisable to put it into a new sleeve, and Keith Monks are able to supply these with paper outer, and low density (slightly milky) plastic inner. This keeps down the static on the record itself.