How To Clean Dust Off Record Needle

Thread Status:: Not open for further replies.

lucan_g Forum Resident Thread Starter

... advice needed. Some dust/lindt seems to be lodged. I've tried a 'Magic Eraser'... but it's not totally doing the job and I fear applying any more pressure (I may have done too much already).
I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to care/maintenance. Should I buy some other needle cleaning device? Or what is the preferred strategy?

Thanks for advice.
I believe it is not recommended for certain types/makes of stylus/cartridge due to it's ability to possibly loosen the cement used to hold the diamond tip in place.
Don't be afraid to drag it across the stylus in the direction the record travels, straight away from the cartridge. If that doesn't clean it, then you must have something sticky on there that has trapped the dust in place. You'll need to dissolve that. Be super careful, but use a small drop of alcohol on a tissue and try and wipe it away, just as you did with the ME. Then follow-up with the ME brushing again. Only use enough alcohol to soak the stylus, not the whole cantilever. Try again if it doesn't work, but you do need to be careful with any solvent as it could dissolve the glue that bonds the stylus if you allow it to soak too long. Just be quick and thorough.
This is why we clean our records.
-Bill
lucan_g Forum Resident Thread Starter

Thanks for the advice everyone. I did give the records a clean... but obviously not well enough. These were acquired from a family member who was on the verge of pitching them out... perfectly good 1960's and 70's vinyl. I think there was some stuff deep in the grooves that the cleaning probably dislodged, but that did not eradicate.
Again, appreciate all the advice.
That may be true, but I've been using it for years with no ill affects on any styli I've owned; my brother Michael has been using it since the 80s with no issues either.
Isn't that wonderful? I've been on the receiving end of two purges myself. It's a wonderful place to be!!!!
A second on the Zerodust Ondow—it's amazing what that thing picks up!
I use a small fine artist brush like the ones on the left below, but I bent it at the metal part so it's about 90 degrees for ease of brushing the stylus from below. A few *light* back and forths after each record, with the sound up so I can hear the static-like whooshing as the bristles collide with the stylus. Since I scrupulously clean each LP (once, then it's good for many plays afterwards if handled with care, and lightly dusted before each play), I usually never need really to use any solvents or other liquid for gunk or other sticky stuff on the stylus.
Agree. The only stylus cleaner you'll ever need.
Blu-tak. Any hardware store. Roll up a small bit into a ball and flatten it on a quarter. About the thickness of a record. Dip the stylus in three times. Then brush/ME/brush again. Totally safe, use it on several styli without issue. Rips any hardened crud right off. Recommended by Soundsmith. Inexpensive and very effective!
I contacted AT they did not recommend it on Ortofon styluses. But if you have been using it for such a long time maybe it is OK.
I use it too,once every 200 hours or so.My needle is a benz micro gold,no problem so far.
I use the brush which came with the stylus, Zerodust, liquid stylus cleaner and canned air. Depending on whats on the stylus determines what I use to clean it. Zerodust at the beginning of a playing session and the stylus brush after each record.
AT couldn't recommend it for any other styli other than the ones they make. I've used it so long I don't worry about it. Possible it may not be suitable for some styli but I've never had a problem.
I use the Onzow Zerodust after playing each side and complete this with the Lyra SPT (=Stylus Performance Treatment) solution after each listening session. I before only used the Zerodust for many years but about a year ago I got problems with distortion in the left channel when playing vinyl records. I then checked the needle up close and discovered that a lot of vinyl gunk was stuck to it. I then got a bottle Lyra SPT from a friend and when I tried this it solved the problem within a minute. Highly recommended if you want your stylus to get really clean.
I have used solvent-based cleaners for MANY years and I have never had a problem. I don't often bother to clean my stylus, perhaps once every six or so sides of play, and most of the time it is just a quick, light brushing, without using the solvent. I am surprised by the claims that much more frequent cleaning is required; if records are kept clean, not much builds up on the stylus.
A cartridge manufacturer, I believe Jonathan Carr of Lyra, says that solvent type cleaners will not remove the glue used to attach the stylus to the cantilever, but, they can temporarily soften the glue. He recommends cleaning with the solvent and then waiting a bit for the glue to re-harden before playing a record (ten seconds of wait was recommended, I wait a bit longer just to be safe).

I don't use the sticky blob approach to cleaning, like the Zerodust, because I am concerned with the stress on the suspension of the cartridge when lifting the stylus up and out of the cleaner. The stress is in the opposite direction of what the suspension is designed to handle. I know someone who pulled the cantilever out of an ultra expensive cartridge using a Zerodust. This might not be an issue with cartridges that are not extremely delicate, and I am sure the problem can be mitigated by very slowly lifting the cartridge to reduce stress, but, I prefer to err on the side of extreme caution.
If the ME isn't working, I seriously doubt the Onzow will work. Some crap just won't budge unless you use a wet cleaner. Consult your manufacturer first. I know Benz is fine with a wet cleaner. Pretty sure Lyra is as well.
The Vinyl Passion Dust Buster.
No solvents or liquids, and doe's a brilliant job at cleaning the stylus.
Gees....in almost 60 years I have never done anything except blow the dust off with my mouth.
If you're on a budget and don't like the eraser moongel is cheapand comes with a lot of strips of gel
Hand washing ALL of my buys before play = Rare to never needing to clean a stylus. If i do, it's with the brush provided with my Dynavector 10x5.
I just ordered a zerodust from this thread, can't wait to see the results.
I've been using the MoFi Stylus cleaner and find it to be pretty effective:
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab LP-9 Stylus Cleaner (0.5 Oz)

Comes with a nail polish style brush that is brushed over the stylus, then you can use the soft flat brush dry over the stylus.