quoted 5 lines "Also, as the cleaning spray included in the Orbitrac> "Also, as the cleaning spray included in the Orbitrac
> kit is alcohol based, it should not be used on 78s."
>
> what does this mean? can i use rubbing alcohol on
> regular non 78 rpm records?
Alcohol is a great solvent so it can be used for cleaning, but i would not use it for records, unless you dilute isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol down to say 30% or so. it comes in 70% in the store. Dilute it with distilled or some form of clean water; bottled water probably isn't pure enough and definitely not tap water. wipe it off the records fast because any particulate matter can stick to your record this way. it's an easy way to ruin a record in my opinion. Orbitracs work ok because it gets the alcohol off the record fast.
the simple explanation is that you can use it on vinyl records and not acetates is that modern lps are polyvinylchloride or "plastic" and older 78s are made from rosin or acetate which are easily broken down by alcohol. basically acetate 78s will melt in alcohol.
i wouldn't waste my money on store bought record cleaning solution. i've tried a bunch of kinds and i just don't think it's worth the money. i've been pricing and cleaning records for years and i've found that simple window cleaner diluted with vinegar (white, duh) and filtered water (from your brita, etc.) works best and is cheap. This is basically what they are selling you anyway. the way to go is to then soft, lint free, cloth the record in a circular motion (with the grooves) until the record is dry. i would rather spend my money on a good, lint free, record cleaning cloth than some shitty fluid that doesn't go very far.
2 cents of opinion from a unemployed biochemist ~ josh
np: tied and tickled trio - electric avenue tapes