This is our finalised DIY cleaner ‘kitset’ design.
It is a 3-piece ‘kitset’ designed for easy self-assembly, with only 4 screws.
An additional 3 screws attach a slow-rotating BBQ ‘rotisserie’ motor and the whole assembly fits neatly onto the top of a 6 Litre Ultrasonic Cleaner tank.
This is the finished Cleaner Kit installed onto the tank:
The DIY ‘kit’ consists of:
- 1.2mm stainless steel, precision laser-cut frame, 3 pieces.
- Stainless screws (4) & spring washers. (You just need a 2.5mm hex wrench (allen key) to assemble.)
- Stainless steel shaft with motor-drive coupler.
- Semi-soft record spacers (4).
- Clamp knobs (2).
- End bearing.
In order to be economical, we are beginning to make small batches of this kit, using machine-work where possible, minimising labour. (If interested, the cost at this time is US$110 + postage, from New Zealand, less than 1kg packed weight.) (Price at Apr 2019)

(Note: The laser-burn marks visible on the steel plates are only on the protective plastic film.)
You will need to purchase:
- Ultrasonic Cleaner tank, model no. PS-30A (as pictured below, specify correct voltage for your country).
- BBQ rotisserie motor – there appears to be many variations of this China-made 2-rpm motor, However the critical dimensions are the positions of the fixing-holes & the motor-drive.

The type of rotisserie motor used in our device.
Note: To fit the 12″ records, the tank top length must not be less than 325mm & to accommodate the DIY kit, the tank top width must be not more than 176mm (6.9″).
The tank top dimensions of my tank (Model PS-30A) are 325mm L x 176mm W (12.8″ x 6.9″).
This fitting is designed to hold (up to) 3 records at one time. However, 4 records can be cleaned, by adjusting the spacers & clamp knobs to ‘centre’ the records. Of course, you can also substitute thinner spacers and more records, but I prefer to have plenty of water space between records.

( 4 records loaded – 3 records only is recommended. )

Note how the detergent / surfactant creates a uniform fluid film over the entire record surface.
Here is a video of the cleaner (prototype) in operation:
Cleaning Fluid: I am currently using the following mixture:
- Filtered drinking quality water (you can use more pure distilled water if you wish, but I think it’s unnecessary ).
- Triton X-100 pure detergent/surfactant, 0.1% to 0.5% dilution in the water. (Pre-mix a 1% stock solution.) I hear that Tergitol is an equivalent product – (non-ionic, neutral pH) detergent with no additives.
- [Update Dec 2019] If you wish to use a more environmentally-friendly detergent alternative to the Triton X-100 – I have been recommended Polysorbate 20 (eg. Tween 20) – https://www.rangeproducts.com.au/shop/raw-materials/polysorbate-20/ (Australia).
Unless your records are very dirty, avoid using alcohol – we understand that such solvents tend to remove plasticisers from the vinyl. (Ref. US Library of Congress.)
If the records are extremely dirty, you could add some enzymatic cleaner.
Heating: At this stage, I am using no heating. A little heating will assist cleaning I believe, but I have not experimented yet. The ultrasonic ‘cavitation’ action actually heats the water a little, around +5deg C every cycle or two.
Cleaning time: I suggest starting with at least 15 minutes. Note that, as the records are rotating (2 rpm with this motor), the immersion time of inner grooves is less than outer grooves and both will be immersed for only a fraction of the cleaning time duration – approximately 1 minute and 3 minutes respectively, for inner and outer grooves. (See Long-Section diagram above.) So, 20 minutes (or even more) may be a good idea.
Drying : After cleaning, the records will naturally air- dry quite quickly because the surfactant forms a thin surface film. However it is probably a good idea to water-rinse them before drying.
Or, if you have a conventional vacuum record cleaner, it would be beneficial to vacuum-dry the record. (Using a clean vacuum brush or nozzle of course.)
Enjoy!
Pricing: (June 2020, at current exch rates) US$105 + postage, Euro 93 + postage, AU$149 + postage.
See also Ultrasonic record cleaning Pt 1.
Update 2020: Images showing how the spindle shaft is simply removed and re-inserted into the motor drive, when loading and unloading the records and spacers. (The spacers are semi-soft and do not damage the record labels.)


Pingback: Ultrasonic record cleaning Pt 1 | D a r k L a n t e r n
Nice project, what is the size (dia) of the central shaft ? Thanks.
Hi keeper – thanks.
The record hole is 7.25mm approx.
We use a M6 (metric 6mm) threaded stainless steel rod.
Cheers, Owen
Thanks my friend, I like your setup – love it. Trying to make one as shipping charges to India would be double the cost of the item ! Please advice me on the spacers – where to get them ?
I Would Like to buy a Kit Please.. Would you be able to send a Link to the correct BBQ Motor? What would be the total price + shipping to the US? Thanks let me know how to complete the order.
Hi JB – at current exchange rates, the price is still US$159 incl airmail to continental USA.
[See updated pricing above.]
We’ve just received lasercuts & most parts for more batches of kits.
Either (i) PM me from the DarkLantern forum page – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=14
Or (ii) email me oyoung@orcon.net.nz.
Thanks for looking in.
Cheers, Owen
Can I purchase a kit please ?
Tim Dawbarn
Toowoomba Australia
Wondering that little white adaptor that goes into the rotating machine can I buy that part only.Im from Canada
Wondering can I buy just the motor-drive coupler…that white adaptor from the drive machine to the rod?..Im from Canada
Hi Will – thanks for looking in.
V sorry, but unfortunately the drives & shafts are moulded for us & assembled in batches with the kits. We do not sell the component parts.
Cheers, Owen.
Hi Bebashis – our spacers are plastic, from a local supplier.
We can ship a kit to India for US$135 + 25 postage.
[See updated pricing above.]
Cheers, Owen
Hi, this looks like a very good set. How and where can I buy it?
Regards, Joerg
Hi Joerg – depending on your country, I think we can airmail 1 kit to Europe for US$160 including airmail postage (or Euro127). We can use Paypal transaction.
[See updated pricing above.]
Package size will be 38.5 x 25 x 8.5cm, weight 1.1kg.
Feel free to ask any questions.
Regards, Owen
Hi Owen,
Price and arrangements to supply to Toowoomba please. I’m sold.
Thanks for your effort in producing it for others to use too.
Tim
Hi Tim – cost of the ‘kit’ to Australia is A$175.
Airmail postage is A$15 (Courier A$30 if preferred).
[See updated pricing above.]
We have a couple remaining in this 4th batch.
Ask any questions.
If you wish to order, you can PM me on the DarkLantern forum – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=14
There is also a StereoNet thread page.
Or, I can email you directly.
Cheers – Owen
Hi – I’m in the US, Florida, what would be the cost to ship a kit here postal code 33756? Also what’s your paypal email for payment? I’m interested in doing 4 LPs at a time.
Hello Lee – apologies for delay getting back to you.
At current exch rates, we could send a kit by Internat. Airmail to anywhere in continental USA for US$165 incl. shipping.
[See updated pricing above.]
(However we have sold out of our 2nd batch & parts will be around 3wks away.)
If interested, i suggest securing the US cleaner tank & rotisserie motor first..
The tanks can comfortably fit 3 records at a time & 4 records is possible with some adjustment – see ‘Citroen’s 11 July post on this local forum page – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=12
Feel free to ask any other Qs.
Regards, Owen
The Ultrasonic Cleaner tank you show is Tank size: 300 x 155 x 150 mm (L x W x H) or 11 3/4″ × 6″ × 6 ” (L x W x H) which won’t fit a 12″ record. Where did you get the 325mm L x 176mm W (12.8″ x 6.9″) tank?
Hello Lee – the tank that I use is from ebay, a ‘6 Liter’ tank, model no ‘PS-30A’ , eg….
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Stainless-Steel-6-L-Liter-Industry-Heated-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Heater-w-Timer-/182689771867?hash=item2a8928b15b:g:bUUAAOSwa2lZfJMQ
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-6L-Liter-Industry-Heated-Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Heater-w-Timer-110V-/400637527765?epid=7003304865&hash=item5d47db86d5:g:V1cAAOSwknJXx6Nz
LP record dimension – the record only sits into the tank up to near its record label (see diagram above), so the tank internal length of 300mm is just adequate (with approx 4mm clearance ea end).
Regards, Owen
Hi Owen, looks great! Where are you buying your Triton X-100 from? Cheers, Jeremy
Hi Jeremy – thanks – I have sourced from a local supplier (in NZ) but you should be able to buy from ebay, eg. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Triton-X-100-Tech-Grade-Choose-Your-Size-985X-/191584738397
Owen
when will you have a unit available please? I note that you are recommending the 6L tank as opposed to the 10L. Are you aware the 10L tank is a higher wattage unit, which reduces the time per cleaning cycle?
Hi John – where are you located? To date, we have supplied around 30 kits, but only to Australia & NZ. Our fitting is dimensioned to fit this ‘6L’ tank model no. PS-30A. I have not found it necessary to use heating, with the detergent/surfactant cleaning mixture & around 25mins cleaning cycle – bear in mind that with the rotation & partial immersion, the inner groove area receives only a few mins total immersion over a 25min cycle.
Some NZ forum discussion is here – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=14
Australian forum here – https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/120698-diy-ultrasonic-record-cleaner/
Hi, when can I order a kit and have it shipped to Sweden?
Hi Nick – we have some ‘kits’ here from our 3rd batch & I can email to you a cost + postage cost (packed weight is only 1kg). You will need also (i) a 6 Litre Ultrasonic cleaner tank model PS-30A (ii) Rotisserie motor. – Cheers, Owen
Hi, I’d like to get a kit shipped to New York, USA. Do you have any available? if so, how can I place an order?
Hi Matthew – we’ve just shipped out the last of our 3rd batch of ‘kits’
It is likely that we will prepare a 4th batch soon.
I can keep you updated by email.
Owen
Thanks. Please keep me posted.
Hey,
please send me information about the cost of shipping to Poland?
Could you send me a link where I can buy a BBQ rotisserie motor?
Regards,
Tomek
Hi Tomek – At current exchange rates, the price including airmail postage to Europe is Euro127. (We sent one to Sweden recently – 12 days.)
[See updated pricing above.]
I will email you a link for the rotisserie motor, if I can find one near you.
Let me know if I can help further.
Regards, Owen
Pingback: Ultrasonic Record Cleaning Machine – Jeremy Young Design
Hi Owen, I’d like to purchase a kit. Can you let me know if there are kits available and how I can order one? I’m in Melbourne Australia.
Hi Nick – Thanks for looking in.
We are still shipping our 4th batch presently.
You can either (i) PM me from the DarkLantern forum page – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machines?page=14 (ii) email me oyoung@orcon.net.nz.
I will provide you with costs, postage costs & any other info required.
Cheers, Owen
Thank you, will do.
Hey mate I would be keen on a kit for the next batch I’m just in Tauranga great work on this project was almost about to bite the bullet and purchase a off the shelf cleaner until I came across this
Hi Josh – no problem, we are currently still shipping our 5th batch.
Will email you with full details.
Latest news can be seen on our DarkLantern forum thread here – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machine?page=10
Thanks – Owen
Hi it looks like you may have the mechanicals as a as a kit. Is this correct, can I buy a kit and what would the cost be including freight to 2650 NSW, Australia be please. Thanking you.
Hello clarketraeger110247524 – Thanks for the message. The kit is still A$175 + postage – options are Air Parcel A$16 (reliable to date) or tracked Courier A$32. [See updated pricing above.]
We are shipping our 5th batch presently. If OK, just email me your postal name/address & we’ll have one packed for you in a couple of days. Also your email for Paypal – the payment request will be sent only after are packed ready to ship. – Cheers, Owen
Should I reply here – I haven’t been able to get a response so far ?
I didn’t want to leave my details available for public view.
Hello clarketraeger110247524 – sorry, your email does not appear to be linked to the above username.
However, you can Private Mail me your email address at either of the forums below (you will need to register first):
http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machine?page=10
https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/120698-our-diy-ultrasonic-record-cleaner/?page=40
I will keep a lookout for your details.
Thanks, Owen
Hi Owen,
If the kit still available could you please let me know the price incl. shipping cost to Hawthorn VIC 3122, Australia.
Cheers,
Mike
Hi Mike – thanks for contacting.
Price is still A$175 + postage. [See updated pricing above.]
Postage options are (i) A$16 airmail (ii) A$32 courier.
To date, airmail has been reliable, 4-12 days delivery time to AU states.
You can Private Mail me your email address at either of these forums:
http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machine?page=10
https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/120698-our-diy-ultrasonic-record-cleaner/?page=40
Cheers, Owen
At current exchange rate, price to Europe is Euro 115 + 18 airmail postage.
[See updated pricing above.]
Friends – an update:
This is a robust quality ‘DIY kit’, but we have changed the design slightly, to reduce costs….
We are also ordering larger quantities of laser-cut 1.6mm stainless steel frames, stainless steel shafts, spacers & other parts. We can also reduce material wastage & install riv-nuts more efficiently.
The soft plastic spacers will best protect the record label & the 24mm spacing we find to be important for best ultrasonic cleaning.
So, pricing for the new kits will be:
US$110 + airmail shipping $23
Euro 93 + airmail shipping Euro 18
(At current exchange rates.)
Cheers, Owen
Good day Mr. Owen,
I would like to inquire about purchasing your amazing DIY kit. (cost, shipping and accepted form of payment)
Do you ship to Vancouver BC, Canada?
Thank you kindly
Hi Robert – Canada is no problem:
CAN$168 + $28 airmail [See updated pricing above.]
We can have a kit packed for you in a couple of days.
A Paypal payment request will be sent only when your kit is packed ready to ship.
Please ask any Qs.
Regards, Owen
Hello Mr. Owen.
This is a very nice kit! I’m actually building a different type of cleaning machine base on the VPI cleaning machine, using the same rotisserie motor. I’ve been trying to figure out how to attach the motor to the shaft for a long time now, without success. Your plastic coupler is genius! Would it be possible to buy one from you? If not, I understand. Your kit is amazing, just out of my price range for now.
Cheers from Canada!
Hi Stephane – Thanks for your interest. We are not actually business enterprise, only DIY enthusiasts. So we do not keep stocks of parts, I’m sorry. We have the kits made in small quantities, by an engineering workshop, when we receive orders.
Cheers, Owen
Beautiful project !! Wow! I live in Italy, how much would the kit sent here cost me? Is the gearmotor also included in the kit?
Thank you
Max
Hi Max – the cost of the kit is Euro 93 + 18 airmail (at current exchange rate). You will have to buy the cleaner tank & rotisserie motor (I have some links that I can email to you). We have sent kits to Norway, Estonia, Netherlands, Sweden, UK etc in Europe.
Cheers, Owen
Sent from iPhone
Hello! I would like to order the DIY ultrasonic record cleaner, I already have the 6L ultrasonic cleaner, I just need the one that goes on top that holds the records. Please if this is possible for me to order, I would like you contact information, phone number address where to send the payment and name. My information: email: miketuason2000@yahoo.com,
phone #: 559-380-8566,
my address is: 11733 Lexington Cir. Cerritos, CA 90703
Thank you so much.
Mike
Hi Mike – thanks for the message.
I will email you costs including airmail shipping.
At current exchange rates, our kit cost is – US$110 +21 airmail to continental USA.
We use Paypal for payment.
We can have a kit packed ready to ship in a couple of days.
You will need a PS-30A ultrasonic tank, together with the motor – both as shown above.
Cheers, Owen
Hi Owen! Thanks for your email back to me, I did reply to your email but Incase you did not get it, let’s go ahead and get the kit packed for me and I will send you the $131.00 via PayPal. I have one question for you though, after you clean the record with the ultrasonic, how do you dry the record? Thanks.
Mike
Hi Mike,
Drying – I use an old style record cleaner vacuum, to suction-dry the records.
However, because the detergent-surfactant forms a ‘film’ over the record, air-drying is quite fast. You may wish to rinse clean the record first.
(See my notes in the blog above.)
Cheers, Owen
Hi Owen! The Ultrasonic Cleaner has been working wonderfully without the surfactant. I forgot to ask you, how often do you replace the distilled water? Thanks.
Mike
Mike
Hi Mike – excellent news.
I started using an old record cleaner vacuum after ultrasonic cleaning, to dry the records.
But I think it is best to filter the fluid before drying, so I have been testing an aquarium water filter pump – see our local forum page here – http://darklantern.proboards.com/thread/147/ultrasonic-record-cleaning-machine-diy?page=11
Please send us a pic to post up on our forum!
Cheers – Owen
Hi. Could you please contact me in regards to purchase of your machine. Very interested. Located in Young NSW Australia. Postcode 2594.
Hi Matt – yes, I will email you costs & all information.
Thanks – Owen
Hi Matt – (as per my email) – The cost of the kit (a little exch rate dependent) is currently A$153 + airmail $16.
Assembly is simple, just 4 screws (+ 3 motor screws) – but we provide instructions & some cleaning tips.
Cheers, Owen
I would like to order one of your kits. I am in the US. Thanks.
Hi @dees72 – thanks for the message – I’ll post pricing & details for you soon.
Regards – Owen
Hi @dees72 – (At current exch rates, a little more favourable pricing) the cost of the kit is US$103 + $22 airmail.
If OK, we can have a kit packed for you, ready for shipping in a couple of days.
You can confirm your postal name & address & email for Paypal – to my email oyoung@orcon.net.nz.
Assembly is simple, but we include instructions & some cleaning suggestions.
Cheers, Owen
Pingback: Music – Lucinda Williams | D a r k L a n t e r n
Hi there
I would be looking to get 2 kits sent to Brisbane Australia…. Is that possible at this time?
Thanks!!
Hi Paul – should be no problem, in fact we have a kit heading for Queensland right now.
Shipping (airmail) is of course reduced/kit for 2 kits.
Presently, NZ Post is fully functioning, but they advise that international shipping is taking a little longer.
You can contact me at the above email address (or via the StereoNet forum page for this kit – https://www.stereo.net.au/forums/topic/120698-our-diy-ultrasonic-record-cleaner/page/51/?tab=comments#comment-4570319) – & I will forward a costing with shipping.
We can usually have kits packed in a couple of days & Paypal is the usual method of transaction.
Cheers, Owen
Hello,
Can you send me pricing and shipping information for one of your kits shipped to the USA, please?
Much appreciated!
Hi Carlo – yes of course.
At current exchange rate, US$102 + $22 airmail to continental USA.
Cheers, Owen
Thanks for the reply Owen. I guess the only real question I have is, how are the records loaded and unloaded for cleaning? Specifically, are the records and spacers mounted to the rod which is then inserted into the motor assembly? Or does the entire frame, rod and motor assembly need to be disassembled each time records need to be loaded and unloaded? Hope I am being clear enough to make sense. A video showing this would be helpful.
Thanks again!
Carlo.
Hi Carlo – yes indeed, I have added an explanatory image above.
The spindle shaft is simply lifted out, the end knob unscrewed, records & spacers loaded, then the assembly re-inserted into the motor drive.
The small ‘bearing’ on the opposite (near) end simply slides off & onto the end of the shaft.
Cheers, Owen
Doesn’t look like your spacers fully cover the label. Any plans to enlarge them to ensure label protection? Otherwise looks like a great product.
Hi Reed – in practice, we’ve had no problems, or any comments from any users about label-wetting arising. Fluid level is typically only around 1/4″ to 3/8″ from label edge – but label-wetting simply does not occur.
You might think that fluid will onto the label at the top the label (either whilst in the tank, or when lifting the record stack spindle out of the tank), but in reality, especially when using surfactant in the fluid mix, thin ‘filming’ (lowered surface tension) prevents water droplets forming & running anywhere.
Cheers – Owen
Great, thanks for the quick response. I was thinking that when then rotating lp, at the top of the rotation the liquid would drip down on to the label. I guess face tension of the liquid on the lp grooves.
Hi Reed – if you look closely at the YouTube video above, you’ll see (at 0.35) that the fluid does not run anywhere, the record surface stays ‘wetted’ only as far as it was immersed in the fluid. The dry portion remains dry, as does the label. – Owen
Hello, best looking US LP kit I have seen. Are they still available? If so please let me know how to order.