RECORD RESTORE Cleaning Vinyl Instruction Manual
- June 3, 2024
- RECORD RESTORE
Table of Contents
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Read this manual carefully for best results
AUSTRALIAN MADE AND OWNED
www.recordrestore.au
© The Vinyl Record Cleaning Company
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 VRC Record Locking Pucks: one 110mm puck for clamping 12” records and one 90mm puck. A second 90mm puck can be requested for clamping 7” and 10” records, if required.
- RECORD RESTORE!
- Measuring & pouring cup: accurately measure the recommend quantity of fluid
- VRC Stack Rack base
- Stack Rack Spindle and mounting screw
- 75mm Stack Rack spacer disks (suitable for all size records)
- Application brush
- Adhesive tape (for removal of dried film)
- Film Flicker tool
- VRC mini sticker labels (handy for marking the covers of treated LPs)
- Fine tooth comb for brush maintenance
Benefits
RECORD RESTORE! 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 RECORD RESTORE!
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. RECORD RESTORE! insulates the record against static with an inert, cationic film about a molecule thick to neutralise any negative charge.
Important:
Do not dilute RECORD RESTORE!
THE VRC METHOD
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;
- The VRC Method 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 RECORD 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.
RECORD 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.
Use RECORD 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.
** 78s were made from shellac, a material that is easily damaged by alcohol, a common ingredient in many modern record cleaning solutions. VRC78** contains no alcohol and is safe for use on shellac 78s.
ASSEMBLY
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STACK RACK
- Remove the screw assembly from the Stack Rack spindle
- Insert the screw through the STACK RACK base from the underside
- Screw on the spindle.
- Slide a 75mm grey spacer disk on to the spindle
PLATTER
- Fit the 90mm puck to the platter.
Platter showing the puck.
AppliCATION 1/3
Measure 5ml of VRC Restore!
-
Place a record on the 90mm Record Support Puck (RSP). Clamp a 12” record in place with the 110mm Puck. A second 90mm Puck would be required for 7” or 10” discs.
Spin the record and pour -
Pour 5ml of RECORD RESTORE! into the measuring cup (2ml for a 7” single). Apply at room temperature.
-
Use the Puck to spin the platter and then slowly pour the RECORD RESTORE! across the spinning record to form a spiral trail
Smooth the VRC Restore! across the record -
Use the Puck to turn the record while using the brush to spread the RECORD RESTORE!; or
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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 RESTORE! is evenly spread.
AppliCATION 2/3Allow to dry -
Wipe any excess RECORD RESTORE! from the brush back into the cup.
-
Lift off the Puck, flip the record over, replace the Puck and repeat steps 2 – 6Use a piece of adhesive tape to lift the film|
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.Peel off the dried RECORD RESTORE! -
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 RECORD RESTORE! to sit on the records for one to two hours before applying moving air (eg a fan, airconditioner outlet, open window) for a further two to three hours. Film that is sufficiently dry to peel will display white rings. If in doubt, wait. Note that drying time will be impacted by ambient temperature and relative humidity.
Tap here for a VRCS demonstration Video Alternatively copy the link below and paste it into your mobile browser https://youtu.be/LAE9W5_QmIs
Partially dried
Fully dried
Treated records are most easily peeled when returned to the VRC Platter and
secured with the Puck. It is important to allow the Restore film to properly
cure prior to attempting to peel, the indication being the appearance of
white streaks. Premature peeling may leave residual dampness. Fan assisted
drying of a full rack will take around 3 hours, depending on temperature and
relative humidity. Best results are obtained at room temperature. Do not
attempt to peel the film unless it is fully dried.
If in doubt, wait.
Peeling The Film
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Peeling: 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 lift the dried film.
Do not try to peel too quickly. The Film Flicker tool 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.
Flip the LP on the VRC Turntable, secure with the puck and peel the second
side, discarding the used film. The cleaned LP may now go back in its cover.
Place a VRC mini label on the top right corner of the record cover to
indicate the record has been restored.
Clean Up
At the end of the session, clean the brush well in warm water, ensuring no
fluid remains on the bristles, before storing.
The brush should be dry before reuse.
Dried RECORD RESTORE! 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
In most cases, a single RECORD RESTORE! application will deliver a total
restoration, even on older records. Occasionally, older records may exhibit a
particularly stubborn ‘spot’ producing a pop on playback. In these instances
and provided the pop noise is not caused by physical damage, a second
treatment may prove beneficial.
This effect has also been observed for records retaining unwanted noise after
treatment with alternative cleaning methods
FAQ
Is it necessary to pre-wash or otherwise clean a record before applying RECORD RESTORE!?****
– No. RECORD RESTORE! delivers a more effective clean than alternative methods.
How long can dry RECORD RESTORE! film be left on a record?****
– Dry film removal within 24 hours is recommended
What is average drying time?****
– Four hours with moving air for a fully loaded Stack Rack.
My RECORD RESTORE! has become viscous****
– RECORD 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.
– RECORD 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 RECORD RESTORE! treatment will usually be removed by
a second treatment. (NB: noise caused by physical damage cannot be removed.)
TIPS
- 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.
- For best results store and apply RECORD RESTORE! at room temperature.
VRC STC
A clean stylus is as important to high fidelity playback as clean
grooves.
The VRC STC with STC-Tak (blue) is an easy, safe and convenient method for
maintaining a clean stylus
This is especially so for microline, microridge and Shibata style styluses.
These styluses sit lower in the groove and with a longer contact profile are
more easily fouled by rime and grit.
The VRC Stylus Tip Cleaner (STC) safely removes unwanted dirt from the stylus.
The design of the STC offers advantages over alternative methods as it allows
a unique polishing action within the normal operating parameters of the
stylus and cartridge.
Tap here for a VRC STC demonstration Video
Alternatively copy the link below and paste it
into your mobile browser
https://youtu.be/aGsrucvI_aw
www.recordrestore.au
Available at www.vrcs.au
References
- RECORD RESTORE!| Professional Grade Vinyl Record Cleaner | VRCS
- RECORD RESTORE!| Professional Grade Vinyl Record Cleaner | VRCS