FORMULE vinyl-record cleaning-solution

The importance of clean records is understood and hardly needs re-statement.

But many record cleaning solutions contain 20 to 30% lower alcohols and this is too concentrated for the long-term well-being of vinyl records. In addition, some of the surfactants used in other cleaners are less than ideal when applied to a vinyl chloride-acetate copolymer (the material from which a record is compression moulded).

Phædrus Audio’s FORMULE was developed and is manufactured in France in collaboration with Phædrus Audio and Pspatial Audio. The refined, record-friendly solution was developed to maximise the quality of the replay and maximise the life of precious vinyl records for archival needle-drops using Stereo Lab software. 

Savoir-faire

In many ways, France is the ideal place to develop and manufacture FORMULE. Not only is France arguably the home of modern chemistry (French scientists have won no less than six Nobel prizes for chemistry), but the country also manufactures world-class fine-chemicals for its important pharmaceuticals industry and as the world’s leading exporter of perfumes and cosmetics.

Directions

Phædrus Audio FORMULE is made in France

Phædrus Audio FORMULE is supplied in 20ml glass bottles with a dropper pipette and is ideally used on records which are free from heavy contamination. Fill the pipette to about ¼-full (≈ 0.33ml) and move the nozzle across a scrupulously clean microfibre cloth or velvet cleaning pad as you squeeze the bulb to make sure the surface of the cloth or pad is evenly wet: separate drops on the cloth or pad will make it more difficult to wet the record evenly. Dispense all the contents of the pipette. Now wipe the cloth/pad evenly across the record to clean the playing-surface. Do not to let the deck motor rotate the disc when applying Phædrus Audio FORMULE unless you have a very light touch. Rather, rotate the disc by hand half-a-dozen times to make sure the record is fully wetted. Allow the record to dry before playing. If the wetting was even, the whole procedure only takes about 5 minutes. Be sure to replace the top on the bottle after treatment. 

Other uses

Phædrus Audio FORMULE may be used to keep a rubberised turntable mat clean. The record mat is a largely forgotten source of nasty contamination and record damage if it is not cleaned regularly. If the mat has not been cleaned for a long time, do not use Phædrus Audio FORMULE until it has been thoroughly cleansed of grease, tar and grime by more vigourous methods.

Once the mat is clean, use Phædrus Audio FORMULE to keep it that way. Use FORMULE in the same way as you would with a record. Use a different cloth for the mat and make sure the mat is really dry before placing a record on the turntable. Treating the mat is a good habit at the end of a listening session, thereby leaving it time to dry completely before the next use.

Also two drops of FORMULE on your stylus brush will help keep the stylus clean. Always and only draw the brush towards the front of the cartridge with gentle strokes. Once again, be sure to let the stylus and cantilever dry before playing. This should only take about a minute.

Shellacs?

Do not use Phædrus Audio FORMULE on shellac (78 RPM) records: it is not ideal.