I use Blue Tac at the recommendation of Peter Lederman. Referring to any oily residue he stated that it is minute and might even be helpful but would quickly burn off given the extreme temperatures present. I place a small dollop of Blue Tac on a quarter and flatten it to dime size and thickness. I place the quarter on the platter and drop the stylus on the Blue Tac 3 times using the cueing lever. I do this every side. I also wipe the platter with a microfiber cloth every side. I keep the quarter on the plinth covered with the nice plastic cover from my long since discarded Zerodust.
I've been doing this for years. It's dirt cheap and works great.
The very best way I found to clean the stylus is to use a Mr Clean Magic Eraser, followed by a stylus brush to remove any micro-dust. I do this after every side. Every 10 records or so, I do use the Sleeve City SC-5 liquid stylus cleaner, followed by the brushing methed mentioned above. However, the liquid must be used very sparingly, to avoid disturbing the glue that holds the stylus shank into the cantilever. Many will skip the liquid step, but I like to use it to melt off any firmly attached contaminants, that the Mr Clean/brush method misses.
I have used an Onzow Zerodust and the blue tac, until I read an article that they left a residue. I think Stereophile published it, with microscope pictures of the residue.. Once I read that, I liquid cleaned my stylus, stopped using the Zerodust, and could hear an immediately audible Improvement.
I take scissors and cut the erasers into chunks. I actually cut them into different size chunks, because when combined with 99% isopropyl alcohol they are also very effective for cable cleaning. For the stylus cleaner, I just cut a roughly 1×2" chunk and attach it to the end of a toothpick. Then just very carefully brush back to forth once or twice. I replaced the chunk every couple of weeks, because it does break down.
Take a piece of magic eraser ½ inch thick and affix it to a 25-cent quarter or similar. Place the magic eraser/quarter on the platter and using the tonearm lift gently lower the stylus on the magic eraser and lift slowly. Repeat a couple of times…you’re done.
I only use a stiff bristle brush to clean the stylus and a soft bristle brush to clean the cantilever. For heat baked-on deposits, I use magic eraser or a solvent based stylus cleaner (MoFi LP#9) with careful attention to ensure that the liquid does not migrate up to cantilever.
I avoid products such as Blu-tack, Onzow, Moon-gel etc. as they are typically a rubber compounds with plasticizers (typically mineral oil) to create a non-reactive, pressure-sensitive adhesive. In some instances, a light oily residue can be deposited on the stylus. If you do a Google search, there has been a lot written about the negative effects of using Onzow.
Brent, I'm back and good to see you! So you'd advise Magic Eraser over BluTak? I've also been going as per Peter's advice, plus using his recommendation of 91% IPA for occasional wet cleaning.
Hi Brent. Catching up here. I am so happy the forum is back and nice to see you posting again! There is a very informative video on Youtube by AnaDiaLog I think about onzow and the like. Needless to say I will never use these products again. Take care. David
Mat, what do you mean? Would love to know your technique for cleaning tip. I bought a DS Audio ST-50 gel cube and I have been bringing it up to tip to touch lightly and pull away for a cleaning. I have also placed gel cube on platter and let cart/arm go gently down. Can you advise best procedure/solution? Greatly appreciate safest way to clean tip:0)
I follow Soundsmith's advice for my Paua: Blu-tac. That seems to work just fine, though out of some degree of OCD I do occasionally dip it in a small piece of Magic Eraser, being very careful.
I use Blue Tac at the recommendation of Peter Lederman. Referring to any oily residue he stated that it is minute and might even be helpful but would quickly burn off given the extreme temperatures present. I place a small dollop of Blue Tac on a quarter and flatten it to dime size and thickness. I place the quarter on the platter and drop the stylus on the Blue Tac 3 times using the cueing lever. I do this every side. I also wipe the platter with a microfiber cloth every side. I keep the quarter on the plinth covered with the nice plastic cover from my long since discarded Zerodust.
I've been doing this for years. It's dirt cheap and works great.
The very best way I found to clean the stylus is to use a Mr Clean Magic Eraser, followed by a stylus brush to remove any micro-dust. I do this after every side. Every 10 records or so, I do use the Sleeve City SC-5 liquid stylus cleaner, followed by the brushing methed mentioned above. However, the liquid must be used very sparingly, to avoid disturbing the glue that holds the stylus shank into the cantilever. Many will skip the liquid step, but I like to use it to melt off any firmly attached contaminants, that the Mr Clean/brush method misses.
I have used an Onzow Zerodust and the blue tac, until I read an article that they left a residue. I think Stereophile published it, with microscope pictures of the residue.. Once I read that, I liquid cleaned my stylus, stopped using the Zerodust, and could hear an immediately audible Improvement.
Silly putty. Lower onto it like playing a record.
Linn "Green Paper," an abrasive sandpaper.
Paul
I use the DS Audio ST-50.
I was using blu tac but the DS is nice to lower stylus onto
The secret to a clean stylus is a clean record.
I only use a stiff bristle brush to clean the stylus and a soft bristle brush to clean the cantilever. For heat baked-on deposits, I use magic eraser or a solvent based stylus cleaner (MoFi LP#9) with careful attention to ensure that the liquid does not migrate up to cantilever.
I avoid products such as Blu-tack, Onzow, Moon-gel etc. as they are typically a rubber compounds with plasticizers (typically mineral oil) to create a non-reactive, pressure-sensitive adhesive. In some instances, a light oily residue can be deposited on the stylus. If you do a Google search, there has been a lot written about the negative effects of using Onzow.
I'm not saying I lick my finger and give it a go, but I will say I wouldn't do that on any cartridge over 2k 😅
Do you lower the stylus into it or do you push up with Blu Tac into stylus?
I follow Soundsmith's advice for my Paua: Blu-tac. That seems to work just fine, though out of some degree of OCD I do occasionally dip it in a small piece of Magic Eraser, being very careful.
JohnK