What do you use to clean stylus?

M

Mr Peabody

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 19, 2013
Messages
3,320
Location
St. Louis, MO, USA
I've been using Zerodust for years. Recently a turntable guru told me ZD is probably better than nothing but not nearly as good as a brush. I mainly used ZD as more of a safety thing, it just seemed safer than thrashing around with a brush. Especially now that I am using the Maestro where the cantilever protrudes out past the cartridge body.

So opinions on Zerodust? And if a brush is better, recommendations?

Thanks
 
Diamond-stylus-brush-md.jpg



71r3TFiooCL._SX466_.jpg
 
agree with Dan and I've also been using LAST products for well over thirty years too.
 
Magic Eraser each session. Dip stylus in & carefully rotate the ME piece back & forth around it to "scrub". Long bristle brush, from various angles against the stylus (especially with bristles orthogonal to stylus shank) plus up & down the cantilever (long bristles far superior to the short bristle pad because of this), each side. I used ZD and still have 2 of them, but the ME and brush is more effective - haven't used the ZD in a long time.
 
Peter Lederman recommends using Bluestik. Have to say it works!

From the SoundSmith website:
How do I clean the stylus?? Do I use a wet cleaner each time, or often? NO!!!

A DRY soft brush is somewhere between good and “OK”, but it is far better is to use some DAP Bluestik* – this is the blue clay-like stuff you get in the stationery department made by DAP. It is used for temporary sticking things on walls and such. Use it just before or after every play. Option one is to craft a “pedestal" on the turntable base and place a small ball of DAP Bluestik* on the pedestal so that you can use the cueing mechanism to allow the stylus to drop onto the blu-stik. CAUTION: Be sure that the top of the DAP Bluestik* is lower than the stylus as it travels across. You don't want the stylus to hit the side of the DAP Bluestik*; it may damage your cartridge.
The other good option is to squash a small ball (half the size of a dime) FLAT (the thickness of a record) onto a heavy coin – such as a quarter. Then place THAT coin on the platter. Then cue DOWN and up on the DAP Bluestik* several times. Be VERY carefull not to DRAG the coin or turn the platter when the stylus is down on the DAP Bluestik* or you risk damaging the stylus or cartridge.
Do this several times, each time moving the DAP Bluestik* to a new spot when the stylus is raised, so that when it comes down it hits a new spot.
 
I had one brush like the one jdandy has. One day I needed it and it had disappeared. Then I remembered that my wife had a lot of make up brushes. So I "borrowed" one of them. She never mentioned it and neither did I.
Still works very well.

e3b2bfd523314660f464d393592815da.jpg
 
mulveling said:
Magic Eraser each session. Dip stylus in & carefully rotate the ME piece back & forth around it to "scrub". Long bristle brush, from various angles against the stylus (especially with bristles orthogonal to stylus shank) plus up & down the cantilever (long bristles far superior to the short bristle pad because of this), each side. I used ZD and still have 2 of them, but the ME and brush is more effective - haven't used the ZD in a long time.
Click to expand...


I’m with the magic eraser deal too much better than any brush i have tried .....
 
I rarely need to clean the stylus when the records are clean

I clean all my records with US and vacuum after purchase and if they look dusty.

Small brush and Lyra SPT every now and then.
 
Before every play, I’m using the Onzow or brushing using the Mobile Fidelity brush, from the rear forward - I’ll admit I’m not a fan of brushing understanding the delicacy of the stylus but no issues so far.

And carbon brush the album before and after every play.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
nicoff said:
I had one brush like the one jdandy has. One day I needed it and it had disappeared. Then I remembered that my wife had a lot of make up brushes. So I "borrowed" one of them. She never mentioned it and neither did I.
Still works very well.

e3b2bfd523314660f464d393592815da.jpg
Click to expand...

I have a whole case of those from a packaging machine we designed and built. I find lots of uses for them.
 
I have a brush I got with a Stanton cart, the brissels are so tight I can't gt a finger nail in. I mean, they gave it with a cart but I am hesitant to use it on another. Are the brushes typically very tight together?
 
I agree--I got a brush with the round head and the tight bristles that everyone seems to throw in with a cart. I would be afraid to use it as stiff as it seems. I just usu use the brush that comes out of the LP#9 fluid bottle. And only if zerodust doesnt get everything off. I find it really hilarious that I cannot find one youtube online demonstrating how to use one of those round brushes back to front. I think everyone mist have a problem with them.

Mr Peabody said:
I have a brush I got with a Stanton cart, the brissels are so tight I can't gt a finger nail in. I mean, they gave it with a cart but I am hesitant to use it on another. Are the brushes typically very tight together?
Click to expand...
 
petek said:
I agree--I got a brush with the round head and the tight bristles that everyone seems to throw in with a cart. I would be afraid to use it as stiff as it seems. I just usu use the brush that comes out of the LP#9 fluid bottle. And only if zerodust doesnt get everything off. I find it really hilarious that I cannot find one youtube online demonstrating how to use one of those round brushes back to front. I think everyone mist have a problem with them.
Click to expand...

LOL, no problem what so ever, in fact they couldn't be easier to use. Not to mention they do a better job than any of the aforementioned ones you speak of, simply because of the density / shortness of their respective bristles.

All one needs to do is have your tonearm at rest and locked, bring the brush till the stylus is in and gently move from back to front, plenty of compliance in ones cantilever suspension for this if done correctly. After this is done you will be surprised at what you see on that little brush !
 
Ok I CAN overcome my fear and give it a try. Thanks.

Mikado463 said:
LOL, no problem what so ever, in fact they couldn't be easier to use. Not to mention they do a better job than any of the aforementioned ones you speak of, simply because of the density / shortness of their respective bristles.

All on needs to do is have your tonearm at rest and locked, bring the brush till the stylus is in and gently move from back to front, plenty of compliance in ones cantilever suspension for this if done correctly. After this is done you will be surprised at what you see on that little brush !
Click to expand...
 
A quick little shot of compressed air after brushing (for me, from behind and below.) I pulled off my cartridge recently to change tonearms and noticed some dust build-up inside the body, right where it would be flicked off of the stylus/cantilever when using the small brush from back to front.
 
I use Onzow or moongel, some generic last type fluid w brush(occasionally) and the tight bristled stylus brush.
Question, what's the best way to clean the small stylus brush?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top