I use a Hunt EDA Mk6 record brush. Good at removing surface lint & dirt. Doesn't do much to reduce static build up. I think Music Hall may have bought them out, as I don't see much availability through online sources.

HK

John,

I use the AudioQuest anti static record brush and it works well.  Amazon has it 15% off for like $16 bucks.  It looks exactly the same as the Audio Technica brand that James uses.  I’m sure they are all the same.  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006VMBHI?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_VRRGEY8TCR4WN1T34CZN&d...

When I was at Decfest years ago…I saw Steve use a Swiffer Duster to pull dust off an album before playing each side.  Out of curiosity I decided to try it.   So now…before I clean my records...I use the duster to pull surface dust off before it goes through the disc washer.

Dom

I use a brush like this one.
https://a.co/d/8ip4BCo
I've had it for the past four or five years and been very happy with it. Great at removing dust and I never have issues with static. Bristles never come loose either. My friends do ask why I keep  a shaving brush next to my turntable, though.  ;)

I start with the Zerostat, and finish with this :  https://store.acousticsounds.com/d/42882/AcousTech-The_Big_Record_Brush-Record_C...
leaner

Very effective.

Cheers,                  Crazy Bill

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think, after reading a lot of reviews on the various items, the Discwasher brush is going to continue in service. It never scratched an album of mine and all micro fibers are intact. It does a good job gathering dust. Rubbing it on a mirror leaves no residue so the oil concern is not an issue. I used a new tooth brush to clean the micro fibers...it works well but a bit small for the task.

I took before and after pictures of actually doing the above and will post later.

Going to order this:

Barber Neck Duster Brush Wood Handle with Hook for Hair Cutting (Neck brush+Black brush) https://a.co/d/3AjK65w

The small black brush looks to be a good cleaning tool for the Discwasher brush. The barber brush will be good to have handy for quick removal of incidental debris.

Most of the time reviews on Amazon can be seen threw but this time it was a source of frustration leading to rethinking of retiring Discwasher.

Thanks again.
John

I've kept a Discwasher around for ages. Well since I first bought one. I've bought three over the years. My original one came in a nice walnut case, which I kept also.

I've often wondered about those big fluffy brushes as in your link, but never bought one until today. Sometimes, the "dust" is sitting almost above the surface of the LP and there is no need of an additional super fine micro fiber cleaning process, especially if some surface dust adherred from one hand to the next after a good cleaning. The one time price is less than some of my monthly subscriptions.
I barely thought about it; just clicked through to order. I'll be giving that a try soon.

I also have a few carbon fiber brushes I've tried over the years and for a recently cleaned record they seem to do OK. I think the Audio Technica is the best one I have. Bristles seem more fine.
I know it's the frayed ends of those bristles that do all the work, but with finer bristles it just feels like I have a better chance of getting those frayed ends deeper into where they need to be to do thier work.

I have gone with "experimental" cleaning fluids for use in conjunction with the Discwasher brush. Sometimes a preferred brand name fluid is difficult to find without ordering and waiting a week.
I settled on a typical solution of distilled water, tiny bit of Isopropyl (2% to 3% total) and a drop of Photo-flo (surfactant) in a quart. Solutions are all over the internet.

But generally I use a hand cleaning process on new/unknown aquisitions, micro fiber towels and pads, finsh up with distilled water rinse, more toweling and air dry.
And Discwasher in conjunction with carbon fiber just before the needle.
One of those gel stylus pads at each play.
Zero Stat and GO!

Kind of fiddly, but worth it all for a great recording.

Got the brushes today. Prefect for everyday use and rejuvenate  the old Discwasher...at a good price to boot!


John

Very cool John.  I have been looking to up my game from the basic Spin Kleen washer getting something more automated.  

How long have you been using the Vinyl Vac and how do you like it?  I was looking at the vinyl doctor but thought Okki Nokki was more streamlined.   The Nokki is expensive and honestly I’m not thrilled with spending that kind of money. Any thoughts?

Going to remember that video Bill, if I come across any flood/mold damage LPs.

Dom, the Vinyl Vac has cleaned 300 LPs so far(600 sides). Very little signs of wear on the felt that encompasses the pickup slot. There is a spare included with the VV. It does a good job. I do like it and plan on improving for efficiency.

Here is a short video of it in action with the customizations. This video was taken with the old motor driving the platter.

https://youtu.be/IYFD3l3MOEo


It looks like the Vinyl Doctor will do as good as the Nokki at a third the cost.

John

   

That is what happened to me. My son-in-law showed up one day with two boxes of a 100 or so albums. He use to attend library sales and had many duplicates. Lot of old rock that are many of my favorites. Some were abused but most just needed a good cleaning.

Enjoy!

John

I like my Spin Clean, and the ritual is cathartic and a good thing to do while listening.