Stylus cleaning is sticky stuff enough?

[MVJ]

I have used a Vinyl Passion Dustbuster for years (other brands are out there) I just wondered is that enough to keep your stylus pristine clean?  

For many years I used a small bottle of liquid that had a brush in to apply it which consisted of part water part alcohol which did the job perfectly. Then the Dustbuster came along but does anyone still use the liquid as well sometimes just to make sure the stylus is perfectly clean?

 

[John (big)]

I use a Cartridgeman  Musicmaster proto-type it has a small stylus attached to a Sapphire cantilever. I use Magic Eraser original i.e.  without soap. Before he died, I sent Len a photograph from my digital microscope re VTA, he remarked how clean my stylus was, for years Len warned on his cartridge paperwork not to use wet cleaning.

There is lots on the net. about using Magic Eraser (expanded melamine) have a Google, I have used it for 30+ years never a problem.   

 

[kernow]

I use an onzow zerodust. It's alright 

 

[greybeard]

VP Dustbuster, or Clearaudio stylus brush here

       

Never wet clean if your stylus is glued on the cantilever, I learnt that the hard way  

 

[Minicoupeman]

Best way to keep your stylus clean is to play clean records-  brought a Project record cleaner. Hardly ever have to clean the stylus.

 

[MVJ]

Best way to keep your stylus clean is to play clean records-  brought a Project record cleaner. Hardly ever have to clean the stylus.

Yes all my records are cleaned The question I asked was does anyone still wet clean their stylus these days??

 

[rdale]

I use a DS Audio ST-50 which is expensive, but I like the ergonomics and finish and they last forever. I dry brush the stylus every now and then too. Ortofon advise against wet cleaning and so I don’t do that with my current cart.

 

[Lurch]

VP dustbuster and occasionally the Audiotechnica AT637 Vibrating stylus cleaner for Stubborn stuff. Also use either a camera air puffer or aerosol air duster to shift the build up of dust in the mech & on body. 

 

[Jules_S]

VP dustbuster and occasionally the Audiotechnica AT637 Vibrating stylus cleaner for Stubborn stuff. Also use either a camera air puffer or aerosol air duster to shift the build up of dust in the mech & on body. 

+1 for the AT vibrator and the dustbuster. I never use fluid for cleaning the stylus, only for LPs

 

[lazycat]

+2 for the AT 637.

I managed to get a minty one from eBay last year. My much abused original died.

But after nearly 40 yrs use I can't complain.

 

[Warszawa]

I use a DS Audio ST-50 which is expensive, but I like the ergonomics and finish and they last forever. 

Same here. It does the same job as the Onzow but it's idiot proof.

 

[Idlewithnodrive]

Okki Nokki, dry brush and Dust Buster here.

 

[Von Krolock]

Tip Tonic wet stylus cleaner worked well enough. It, or similar, allegedly attacked stylus adhesive so stopped using it for warranty concerns and paranoia..
The Onzow works well & the carbon fibre brush shown above.
I found the AT vibrator worked much better if you didn't bother with the vibrator but used it as a manual cleaner - back to front in usual style.
Len Gregory was very dismissive of the AT vibrating cleaner - 'Don't use that bloody vibrator!' ...Best wishes Len.
 

 

[John (big)]

Okki Nokki, dry brush and Dust Buster here.

I was given an Okki Nokki for my 65th a few years ago highly recommended just buy a better brush I bought  an SRM.  Although I recommend Magic Eraser since the OK cleaner I use it infrequently these days, My Hydraulic Reference also has the record and stylus brushes the latter now only for show as with the Hadcock 242 silver +arm  almost impossible to use unlike the original SME arm. 

 

[John (big)]

Tip Tonic wet stylus cleaner worked well enough. It, or similar, allegedly attacked stylus adhesive so stopped using it for warranty concerns and paranoia..
The Onzow works well & the carbon fibre brush shown above.
I found the AT vibrator worked much better if you didn't bother with the vibrator but used it as a manual cleaner - back to front in usual style.
Len Gregory was very dismissive of the AT vibrating cleaner - 'Don't use that bloody vibrator!' ...Best wishes Len.
 

Len Gregory died October last year...

 

[MVJ]

I have used a wet stylus cleaner/brush for many years (not any more) and never had an issue with losing a stylus I think the key is to apply sparingly then clean with a firm short fine bristle brush.

 

[bigfool1956]

I use an Audio Technica pot of sticky stuff mostly. Once in a while I follow up with some Audio Technica wet stuff, which AT say is no danger to their carts.

 

[MVJ]

I use an Audio Technica pot of sticky stuff mostly. Once in a while I follow up with some Audio Technica wet stuff, which AT say is no danger to their carts.

May be I'll get some of that myself

 

[uzzy]

VP Dustbuster, or Clearaudio stylus brush here

       



Never wet clean if your stylus is glued on the cantilever, I learnt that the hard way  

Almost the same here - but discovered Moongel Pads - they fit in a Listerine Pocket pack container - they take forever to dry out and do the job for me.
As to the brush .. damp with warm water and you shouldn't have a problem with glued on styli (well not had one fall off for over 40 years here .. never had one fall off when using a lenco clean many years ago either which wetted the record in play so the stylus sat on a thin film of fluid (but the capillary action did rot away the armature in a Decca (well Mr Hodgson told me it was very rusty when they came to rebuild it after it collapsed) and it also worked its way inside my MC20 MK2 (i think) which packed up on one channel).