Spin Clean Record Washer

I suppose I’m a lot like a great many vinyl fanciers. I don’t have an archival collection, but it’s a darn good mix of personal faves, nostalgia, and a few killer super discs. I’m not neurotically fastidious but I want to keep the discs clean, not just for the sake of the vinyl but for the preservation of the stylus. And with new 180/200gram releases and reissues clocking in at twenty, even thirty bucks a pop, it’d be great to keep the cleaning costs in line.

Does this sound familiar? Well, then, meet my new best friend, the Spin Clean Record Washing System. Developed back in 1968 it’s a pure manual design—nothing to plug in, no automatic washing and drying. A little elbow grease and fresh air does all of the work.

Operationally, a Spin Clean session is a breeze. First adjust the removable rollers for the appropriate diameter records—12**, 10**, or 7**. Fill the taxicab-yellow basin with distilled water up to the indicated fill line and add a capful of the cleaning solution, Finally slide the record between the brushes and begin, er… spinning! A couple of spins over the surface, remove from the tub, and let the ambient air and a couple of swirls of the supplied lint-free cotton cloths do the rest. The process worked best for me using two hands to gently rotate the LP through the fluid, placing the pads of my fingers on the edge of the disc at opposite ends. The result is a disc that is suddenly as shiny black as the day you brought it home. There is an encapsulating mechanism built into the cleaning solution that will actually sink the dirt to the bottom of the unit so it does not get re-deposited on the record. In fact that’s the main reason the tub is bright yellow–so you can see the dirt collecting at the bottom.

The results speak for themselves—less noise means more clearly resolved music. On a prized direct-to-disc like the Atlanta Brass Ensemble’s Sonic Fireworks [Crystal Clear], which I’m ashamed to admit hadn’t been cleaned in years, the difference was marked by an overall reduction in background noise, a removal of most tiny snaps and crackles from the lead-in groove right through to the end. Cleaner surfaces means a gain in perceived dynamic range; girt and grime raises the noise floor essentially reducing dynamics and adding edges to transients that aren’t really part of the recording.

A single bath is good for up to fifty records, so you’ll need to organize an assembly line. Use a table that’s well lit and level; lay out the cloths for easy access. However, if you wanted to wash just a few records, it is possible to remove the brushes after washing a few, rinse them off, and let them air dry on top of the lid until you’re ready to clean more.

Is Spin Clean as slick as the fully robotic vacuum machines? Well, if you’re in the habit of haunting flea markets and bringing home box-loads of records—probably not. But for lighter duty it’s pretty tough to beat. Not to mention avoiding the hidden costs like worn styli and the further degradation of the surfaces of your prized LPs. Finally for the eco-conscious Spin Clean is a truly green product; all the energy expended is your own—totally off the grid. Perhaps best of all, the dough you save can be spent on what truly matters—more records!

Note: Shortly before going to press, Spin Clean announced an improved Mk II version. It offers improved UV grade resin for a more rigid and fade resistant washer basin. Re-designed rollers reportedly deliver a smoother and quieter “ride.” Finally, an improved washer fluid formula and new foam and brush material round out the improvements. No doubt a great device made even better.

Neil Gader – Acoustic Sounds
acousticsounds.com

For more information please visit www.spincleanrecordwasher.com or click here to see a demonstration.