How often clean stylus and which product?

[Kingrex]

Hello, I realize that this is a very late reply and yet, I hope I'm in time. I used the magic eraser, and it magically removed the epoxy resin that secured the nude diamond in the Audio Tecnica AT-ART9 cantilever. This was the second cartridge on which this happened. I finally figured it out and realized that the abrasive eraser was doing precisely what it was designed to do. Erase.

I don't see how that could happen. Isn't the epoxy in the hole that the diamond is attached too. The images I see usually show the epoxy all the way out the top of a cantilever to diamond attachment point. I can not find any images of the ART-9. Only computer generated stock sales literature. But still, epoxy only at the very bottom of a Boron cantilever. Does not sound like a firm attachment.

 

[drewmb1]

I wasn't. I found it wasn't effective, so I was using it as a brush, rear to front. Not the brightest decision I know. Anyway, I thought I would sound the alarm.

 

[mtemur]

Hello, I realize that this is a very late reply and yet, I hope I'm in time. I used the magic eraser, and it magically removed the epoxy resin that secured the nude diamond in the Audio Tecnica AT-ART9 cantilever. This was the second cartridge on which this happened. I finally figured it out and realized that the abrasive eraser was doing precisely what it was designed to do. Erase.

I don’t think dipping the stylus onto a steady, thin sheet of Magic Eraser can break it off. However, if a thick block of Magic Eraser is held by hand against the stylus, it could easily break the stylus. In that case, it’s impossible to keep the Magic Eraser steady by hand, and the cantilever could also be pulled in along with the stylus.

I wasn't. I found it wasn't effective, so I was using it as a brush, rear to front. Not the brightest decision I know. Anyway, I thought I would sound the alarm.

You’re lucky—you could have broken off the cantilever along with the stylus. Using it like a brush isn’t the correct method, and in my opinion, breaking the stylus off wasn’t the Magic Eraser’s fault.

 

[drewmb1]

I didn't break it off. It removed the epoxy.
Suit yourself.

 

[jcarr]

Magic Eraser as a non-fluid stylus cleaner should be used with an awareness of its limitations, and not be relied on as the only means of cleaning the stylus.
Using a Magic Eraser scrapes off the dirt that has accumulated on the stylus, but rather than encapsulating the dirt and removing it entirely, simply pushes it upwards. This helps in the short term, but since the cantilever forms a ceiling over the stylus, the pushed-up dirt becomes trapped between the cantilever ceiling and the stylus block, and over time will be packed tightly and begin to extend downwards (like a stalactite). Eventually the tightly packed layer of dirt will extend downwards far enough to interfere with the LP contact edges of the stylus, and tracking will suffer.
We have received cartridges for service that had been regularly cleaned with a Magic Eraser, yet had lost their ability to track the LP groove, due to the stylus being embedded in tightly packed dirt. Fortunately, such issues can be rectified by meticulously cleaning the stylus with a liquid cleaner (and sometimes a judiciously-wielded non-magnetic scalpel).
Careful use of the Magic Eraser can be OK, but it should be augmented with periodic cleaning with a good liquid stylus cleaner (but don't get the liquid onto the cantilever - apply it to the stylus tip only).

 

[drewmb1]

Thank you Jcar.

 

[tony22]

but it should be augmented with periodic cleaning with a good liquid stylus cleaner

I was under the impression that - even if done carefully - using a liquid stylus cleaner was not recommended for MC carts.

 

[Kingrex]

I was under the impression that - even if done carefully - using a liquid stylus cleaner was not recommended for MC carts.

I hear that too. Put solvent on a glue you don't know the formulation of. Risky.


I like the magic eraser. I cut a very thin sliver and lightly drag it across my stylus. Its thin and fleible. If I accidentally poke the end of the cantilever, it collapses. I give a couple light wipes in a few directions. Not side to side. About 4:30 to 7:30 on a dial. Since doing this, I have had the most consistent, even playback. A jewlers loop does not show build up like jcarr has seen.

I have had buildup that did exactly like jcarr noted. Twice. Both times I was using a soft bristle brush.

Chemicals do work. They will cut gunk off. But how often should you need Chemicals. Never. You should have something that can strip heat activated (melted), oil, smoke based tars and hand oils off regularly. Thats a magic eraser. If your cartridge can't handle that, was it designed properly??? Many other cartridge can handle daily cleaning.

 

[tony22]

Put solvent on a glue you don't know the formulation of.

From what I’d read, the concern with MCs and liquid cleaners is the liquid creeping up into the coils. No es bueno.

I used to use Stylast with my MM carts. As I use my SS carts mostly right now, I stick with Peter’s recommendation of Blu-tak. If anything should happen, I will have been following his instructions.

 

[Stevet]

First, I agree that the number one thing is to keep your records clean and static free. It takes some time and effort, but it is worth it. I carefully clean all records I purchase, whether new or used. I believe that to be essential. It is a bit of a chore, but I try not to look at it that way. Kind of like meal preparation.

When needed I have for years carefully and cautiously used Last Stylus Cleaner, using their supplied small brush. A very small quarter ounce bottle lasts me a very long time. I have never had a problem with Last Stylus Cleaner. I do think that it is very important to keep your stylus clean as it will sound better and last longer if kept as clean as possible.

 

[mtemur]

I use Magic Eraser just like I used to use Onzow. I dip the stylus a couple of times onto a thin sheet of Magic Eraser placed on the platter. I also brush the stylus afterward and after each LP side. I apply liquid stylus cleaner, as @jcarr described, about once every two weeks. I’ve used—and still use—liquid stylus cleaners from Nagaoka, Audio-Technica, and Lyra, and I’ve had zero issues with epoxy. I hope I never will.

 

[Kingrex]

I had not thought about liquid walking up into the coils. I guess it could.

I have heard the same negative talk about putties, blue or white. They can leave a residue. And I tried it a few times and was very concerned it would adhere to the cantilever and rip it off the cartridge. I'm sticking with the magic eraser. Seems safer and works for me.

I would not use liquid, then the magic eraser. I could see the eraser melting and making a mess.

I think I saw an ultrasonic machine you dip the needle in. That seems effective. But what about the liquid walking up the cantilever issue????

 

[dminches]

I use Magic Eraser just like I used to use Onzow. I dip the stylus a couple of times onto a thin sheet of Magic Eraser placed on the platter. I also brush the stylus afterward and after each LP side. I apply liquid stylus cleaner, as @jcarr described, about once every two weeks. I’ve used—and still use—liquid stylus cleaners from Nagaoka, Audio-Technica, and Lyra, and I’ve had zero issues with epoxy. I hope I never will.

Can you post a picture of the size of the Magic Eraser sheet that you use? Do you buy sheets or just cut off a piece from the block?

 

[mtemur]

Can you post a picture of the size of the Magic Eraser sheet that you use? Do you buy sheets or just cut off a piece from the block?

I explained it in my post below.'
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/how-often-clean-stylus-and-which-product.39271/post-1005910