VINYL RECORDS VRCS Record Cleaning Kit Instruction Manual

: June 5, 2024
: VINYL RECORDS

Table of Contents

IN The BoX
BENEFITS
- VRC Features
THE VRC METHOD
- VRC RESTORE!
ASSEMBLY
- PLATTER
APPLICATION
Peeling the film
Clean Up
Enhancing Results
VRC STC
FAQ / TIPS
Documents / Resources

VINYL RECORDS VRCS Record Cleaning Kit

IN The BoX

VRC Platter: features a low friction bearing for spinning the record during fluid application; table also doubles as a convenient work platform for peeling dried film
Two (2) 90mm VRC Record Support Pucks (RSP) for use with 12″ records and 7″ singles: one puck is used to raise the record off the table surface for double sided treatment; the second puck is used to hold the record during cleaning and peeling, also to protect the label from cleaning fluid
One (1) 110mm VRC Record Support Pucks (RSP) for clamping 12″ records and protecting the label
VRC Restore! (VRC
Measuring & pouring cup: accurately measure the recommend quantity of fluid
VRC Stack Rack base
Stack Rack Spindle (2 part) and mounting screw
75mm Stack Rack spacer disks (suitable for all size records)
Application brush
Adhesive tape (for removal of dried film
Bamboo skewe
VRC Stylus Tip Cleaner (STC) including STC-Tak
VRC mini sticker labels (handy for marking the covers of treated LPs)
Fine tooth comb for brush maintenance

BENEFITS

VRC Features

Elimination of static electricity
Deep cleaning of record grooves
11db increase in overall SN ratio and 8db improvement to the peak noise floor (over 50%) for soiled records1.
Easy application and removal
Efficient: Ten x 12″ records per 100ml
Easy removal with adhesive tape

Important:
Do not dilute VRC VRC

VRC Restore! (VRC) is unique. It achieves total removal of all unwanted contaminants in the record groove by suspending this material in solution which then dries to a pliable film. Peeling off the dried film removes all the suspended matter from the record groove. At the same time VRC eliminates static electricity and stops it reoccurring.

All liquid record cleaning methods create a slurry in the record groove. Failure to fully remove the slurry means a coating is left on the groove walls. Comprised of the tiniest particulate matter this will manifest itself as dullness in playback sound rather than the clicks and pops usually associated with a dirty record groove. It will also be abrasive to the stylus.

No static electricity. The original cause of noise is static electricity, either through its discharge into the cartridge or its anchoring of airborne dust to the record. A vinyl record is easily charged unless it is protected. VRC insulates the record against static with an inert, cationic film about a molecule thick to neutralise any negative charge.

THE VRC METHOD

VRC RESTORE!

Use VRC Restore! for a premium deep clean where conventional record cleaning machines fail.
Especially recommended for the restoration of older, long stored records or records of unknown provenance.

The VRC Method of vinyl record cleaning differs from other cleaning approaches in several important ways:

It is a non-contact methodology, ie there is no harsh rubbing or percussive bombardment of the record’s delicate groove walls
Each cleaning episode is discrete with no reuse of cleaning fluid thereby achieving completely repeatable outcomes;
VRC is fast, silent and does not require electricity;
No premixing of chemicals, and
Sets up in only two square feet of work space.

Empirical testing has shown Restore! to be highly effective in restoring fidelity to older vinyl records with up to an 11db increase in overall signal to noise ratio and an 8db improvement to the peak noise floor.

Restore! is also effective in removing production residues from new records such as mould release (montan wax) as well as imparting permanent protection against static electricity.

| Old 78s were made from materials that require a different cleaning approach lest they be damaged. VRC 78 is specially formulated and is safe to use on shellac 78s.
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ASSEMBLY

PLATTER

Fit a 90mm VRC RSP to the platter

Platter showing puck fitted

APPLICATION

Place a record on the 90mm Record Support Puck (RSP). Clamp a 12″ record in place with the 110mm Puck, 90mm Puck for 7″ single.
Pour 5ml of VRC into the measuring cup (2ml for a 7″ single)
Use the Puck to spin the platter and then slowly pour the VRC across the spinning record to form a spiral trail
Use the Puck to turn the record while using the brush to spread the VRC; or
Place one finger on the Puck and rotate the record while moving the brush lightly across the record. Move the brush from the lead in groove towards the centre and back again until the VRC is evenly spread.
Wipe any excess VRC from the brush back into the cup.
vinylrecordcleaningsystem.com.au
Lift off the Puck, flip the record over, replace the Puck and repeat steps 2 – 6
Hint: Before removing the record, gently spin the record by placing a finger on the puck and hold a piece of cloth or paper towel against the record edge to remove any fluid.
Remove the Puck and transfer the record to the Stack Rack
Place a 75mm grey spacer disk on top of the treated record

Drying: allow wet VRC Restore! to sit on the records for two to three hours. Whilst the drying time may be shortened with moving air, the curing process benefits from a slower dry and thereby avoids the risk of moisture being caught under a drying film. After the initial period, drying can be completed with moving air.

Scan this code for VRCS demonstration Video

Peeling the film

Treated records are most easily peeled when returned to the VRC Platter and secured with the Puck.

Ensure the VRC Restore! film has dried completely. This will take from two to four hours depending on temperature and relative humidity. Recommended operating temperature is above 15o C (60oF). Do not attempt to peel the film unless it is fully dried. If in doubt, wait.

Peeling: ① Prepare approx. 50mm (2″) of the adhesive tape and apply it across the film and the record’s edge, half on and half off the record. Rub your finger on the part of the tape on the record. Pinch the overhanging tape at the record’s edge between thumb and forefinger and ② lift the dried film.

Do not try to peel too quickly.

The bamboo skewer can be helpful to nudge film off the edge of the record as the peeling begins. Should the film break during peeling, use the skewer point to lift film at the point of breakage. Any film remnants may be removed by touching with a fresh piece of adhesive tape.

Clean Up

At the end of the session, clean the brush well in warm water, ensuring no VRC remains on the bristles, before storing.

The brush should be dry before reuse.
Dried VRC can be removed by soaking the brush in warm water until soft. Use the fine comb to remove any residue film and then rinse well.

Enhancing Results

A single VRC Restore! treatment will deliver significant playback improvement. For particularly troublesome records where noise is still audible, a second VRC treatment is highly recommended. Provided the noise is not caused by physical damage, it is highly likely further improvement is achievable. This effect has also been observed for records retaining unwanted noise after treatment with alternative cleaning methods.

VRC STC

Using VRC Stylus Tip Cleaner

The VRC Stylus Tip Cleaner (STC) is designed to quickly and safely remove visible and microscopic dust particles from your stylus

Remove the protective strips from the square of STC-Tak
Break off a small portion of VRC putty and apply it to the landing area on the VRC Stylus Tip Cleaner.
Place the STC on the turntable and lower the tone arm such that the stylus tip rests on the STC-Tak.
Periodically scrap dust off the putty, knead and reshape for a fresh pad or replace with a new pad of STC-Tak. Additional STC-Tak is available at our website.

FAQ / TIPS

How long can dry VRC film be left on a record?
Dry film removal within 24 hours is recommended
What is average drying time?
Allow two to four hours.
My VRC Restore! has become viscous
VRC Restore fluidity may be restored by warming in a microwave oven. Do this gently in bursts of 20 seconds until the bottle feels warm. Gently shake or invert the bottle until fluidity is restored. Allow to cool before applying to records.

VRC Restore! has proven highly effective in removing surface noises that record cleaning machines leave behind. In similar fashion, any surface noise remaining after a first VRC Restore! treatment will usually be removed by a second treatment. (NB: noise caused by physical damage cannot be removed.)

Ensure adequate coverage of the lead in groove area to minimise film breakage during peeling

Rather than putting your clean LPs back in the same sleeve, pick up a pack of new anti-static sleeves from our website.

Observe the Best Before date on the bottom of the bottle. Like beer, VRC is better when fresh.

VRC Restore! is available from your
VRC supplier or wherever quality vinyl record care products are sold.
Also available at
www.vinylrecordcleaningsystem.com.au

Documents / Resources

| VINYL RECORDS VRCS Record Cleaning Kit [pdf] Instruction Manual
VRCS Record Cleaning Kit, VRCS, Record Cleaning Kit
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