Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you recommend a wet/dry vac?
If you are working with liquid of any sort in your cleaning process you should only use a wet/dry vacuum. In addition to this, we highly recommend a wet cleaning process in order to experience the best cleaning results with your Vinyl Vac. Think of it like this, it's one thing to vacuum your carpets but it's a far more effective cleaning when you have your carpets cleaned.
We recommend the Stanley 1.5 hp 1 Gal Wet/Dry Vac with your Vinyl Vac. It fits perfectly and provide powerful suction to lift the embedded dirt and grime in your record grooves.
Why do I still hear pop and crackles?
We recommend using the Vinyl Vac Concentrate Cleaner for your cleaning solution for best results. This formula is different than the free recipe we offer when you join our mailing list.
We highly recommend using an anti-static brush just before playing your record. No matter if your record entirely clean or even brand new, static can be present and cause pops and crackles. We recommend the Boundless Anti-Static Brush
Here is a short video to show you How to use your anti-static brush.
Can I use the Vinyl Vac on my turntable?
The short answer is Yes but never with it plugged in. Never use any turntable that is plugged in when working with liquids of any kind. We strongly suggest the use of an old turntable or lazy susan setup. It is ideal to have a separate cleaning system away from the turntable you use to play your records on. This is mainly to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the turntable. Especially if you are cleaning several records. Many Vinyl Vac Believers have picked up an old turntable at a yard sale or Goodwill.
You can pick up a lazy susan for just under $5 on Amazon: Aketek 12 inch Heavy Duty Lazy Susan
Why should I still need to use an anti-static brush?
No matter if your record is brand new or the the cleanest record, static can be present and cause pops and crackles.
We suggest you always use a good anti-static brush before each play.
We recommend the Boundless Anti-Static Brush
Here is a short video to show you How to use your anti-static brush.
Can I dry vac with the Vinyl Vac?
We don't recommend a simple dry vac for a couple of reasons. The first being increasing the risk of static and the second being the lack of effective cleaning as compared to a good wet cleaning (with the Vinyl Vac Concentrate Cleaner and a rinse step) and then vacuuming with the Vinyl Vac.
Can't I just air dry my records after cleaning them?
One of the most effective ways to truly lift embedded dirt in grime is to vacuum the grooves with the Vinyl Vac. If you simply air dry your records you are allow embedded dirt and grime to dry on the record. In addition, there are two other factors that we believe are essential to pulling that embedded dirt and grime out. Use a wetting agent in your cleaning solution and apply a rinse step in your cleaning process. The wetting agent will allow the cleaning solution to truly penetrate the grooves and the rinse step will help break up the surface tension just before vacuuming.
Why do you recommend a rinse step in my cleaning process?
Next to vacuuming being a part of your cleaning process this is probably our highest recommendation. You wouldn't just shampoo your hair and leave it in. You wouldn't put the carpet shampoo in the carpet but not apply a rinse/vac step. You wouldn't soap up your dishes and leave them out to dry and never rinse them. So how you can truly clean your records without including a rinse step? We also believe the rinse step aids in loosening the embedded dirt and grime in the grooves that the cleaning solution has penetrated. Followed, of course, by a vacuuming with the Vinyl Vac.
What if my vac doesn't fit the Vinyl Vac?
The Vinyl Vac is designed to fit any 1.25" and 1.5" (U.S. Standard) vac hose. The O-ring helps provide a snug fit. If you have a 1.25" hose simply slip the O-ring for the vac hose and attach the Vinyl Vac as it is. If you have 1.5" vac hose, take off the bottom coupling on the Vinyl Vac, slip the O-ring over the remaining attached coupling and then attach your vac hose.
If your vac just doesn't seem to work after attempting this method you can purchase a fairly inexpensive wet/dry vac that fits perfectly with the Vinyl Vac 33 and 45. We recommend the Stanley 1.5 hp 1 Gal wet/ dry vac for $30.99
How should I lift the Vinyl Vac at the end of a rotation?
We have found that lifting the Vinyl Vac while still gently rotating the record and the vac still on works best. It creates more of an even release from the record surface. This will help avoid any residue being left behind as well
What makes the Vinyl Vac Concentrate Cleaner so effective?
Our secret concentrate formula truly penetrates the record groove. As you see from the photos below, a typical cleaning solution (left) beads, where our concentrate cleaner formula (right) completely saturates the surface and penetrates the grooves.
If you are working with liquid of any sort in your cleaning process you should only use a wet/dry vacuum. In addition to this, we highly recommend a wet cleaning process in order to experience the best cleaning results with your Vinyl Vac. Think of it like this, it's one thing to vacuum your carpets but it's a far more effective cleaning when you have your carpets cleaned.
We recommend the Stanley 1.5 hp 1 Gal Wet/Dry Vac with your Vinyl Vac. It fits perfectly and provide powerful suction to lift the embedded dirt and grime in your record grooves.
Why do I still hear pop and crackles?
We recommend using the Vinyl Vac Concentrate Cleaner for your cleaning solution for best results. This formula is different than the free recipe we offer when you join our mailing list.
We highly recommend using an anti-static brush just before playing your record. No matter if your record entirely clean or even brand new, static can be present and cause pops and crackles. We recommend the Boundless Anti-Static Brush
Here is a short video to show you How to use your anti-static brush.
Can I use the Vinyl Vac on my turntable?
The short answer is Yes but never with it plugged in. Never use any turntable that is plugged in when working with liquids of any kind. We strongly suggest the use of an old turntable or lazy susan setup. It is ideal to have a separate cleaning system away from the turntable you use to play your records on. This is mainly to avoid unnecessary wear and tear on the turntable. Especially if you are cleaning several records. Many Vinyl Vac Believers have picked up an old turntable at a yard sale or Goodwill.
You can pick up a lazy susan for just under $5 on Amazon: Aketek 12 inch Heavy Duty Lazy Susan
Why should I still need to use an anti-static brush?
No matter if your record is brand new or the the cleanest record, static can be present and cause pops and crackles.
We suggest you always use a good anti-static brush before each play.
We recommend the Boundless Anti-Static Brush
Here is a short video to show you How to use your anti-static brush.
Can I dry vac with the Vinyl Vac?
We don't recommend a simple dry vac for a couple of reasons. The first being increasing the risk of static and the second being the lack of effective cleaning as compared to a good wet cleaning (with the Vinyl Vac Concentrate Cleaner and a rinse step) and then vacuuming with the Vinyl Vac.
Can't I just air dry my records after cleaning them?
One of the most effective ways to truly lift embedded dirt in grime is to vacuum the grooves with the Vinyl Vac. If you simply air dry your records you are allow embedded dirt and grime to dry on the record. In addition, there are two other factors that we believe are essential to pulling that embedded dirt and grime out. Use a wetting agent in your cleaning solution and apply a rinse step in your cleaning process. The wetting agent will allow the cleaning solution to truly penetrate the grooves and the rinse step will help break up the surface tension just before vacuuming.
Why do you recommend a rinse step in my cleaning process?
Next to vacuuming being a part of your cleaning process this is probably our highest recommendation. You wouldn't just shampoo your hair and leave it in. You wouldn't put the carpet shampoo in the carpet but not apply a rinse/vac step. You wouldn't soap up your dishes and leave them out to dry and never rinse them. So how you can truly clean your records without including a rinse step? We also believe the rinse step aids in loosening the embedded dirt and grime in the grooves that the cleaning solution has penetrated. Followed, of course, by a vacuuming with the Vinyl Vac.
What if my vac doesn't fit the Vinyl Vac?
The Vinyl Vac is designed to fit any 1.25" and 1.5" (U.S. Standard) vac hose. The O-ring helps provide a snug fit. If you have a 1.25" hose simply slip the O-ring for the vac hose and attach the Vinyl Vac as it is. If you have 1.5" vac hose, take off the bottom coupling on the Vinyl Vac, slip the O-ring over the remaining attached coupling and then attach your vac hose.
If your vac just doesn't seem to work after attempting this method you can purchase a fairly inexpensive wet/dry vac that fits perfectly with the Vinyl Vac 33 and 45. We recommend the Stanley 1.5 hp 1 Gal wet/ dry vac for $30.99
How should I lift the Vinyl Vac at the end of a rotation?
We have found that lifting the Vinyl Vac while still gently rotating the record and the vac still on works best. It creates more of an even release from the record surface. This will help avoid any residue being left behind as well
What makes the Vinyl Vac Concentrate Cleaner so effective?
Our secret concentrate formula truly penetrates the record groove. As you see from the photos below, a typical cleaning solution (left) beads, where our concentrate cleaner formula (right) completely saturates the surface and penetrates the grooves.
No Wetting Agent
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With Wetting Agent
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Should I clean my record needle(stylus)? If so, how?
Depending on how clean or dirty your records are your record needle (stylus) can become dirty. Over time it picks up dirt and debris from the grooves. This can effect the sound quality of your record playbacks. However, there is a few affordable and effective way to clean your record needle (stylus). Next time you go shopping pick up a Magic Eraser.
Here is a short video to show you how: http://bit.ly/2vBEcBK
When should I replace the pads on my Vinyl Vac?
How often you change the pads really depends on how dirty the records are, how many you've cleaned and really personal preference. If the pads are looking worn or if you notice that the record playbacks are not sounding as clean then it may be time to change them out. Typically you can clean over a hundred on one set if the records are not incredibly dirty.
Depending on how clean or dirty your records are your record needle (stylus) can become dirty. Over time it picks up dirt and debris from the grooves. This can effect the sound quality of your record playbacks. However, there is a few affordable and effective way to clean your record needle (stylus). Next time you go shopping pick up a Magic Eraser.
Here is a short video to show you how: http://bit.ly/2vBEcBK
When should I replace the pads on my Vinyl Vac?
How often you change the pads really depends on how dirty the records are, how many you've cleaned and really personal preference. If the pads are looking worn or if you notice that the record playbacks are not sounding as clean then it may be time to change them out. Typically you can clean over a hundred on one set if the records are not incredibly dirty.