Vinyl Record Cleaning

What old cartoon is this?

I don’t remember much, but distinctly remember a scene with something smashing a bunch of vinyl records and a robot coming out of the wall to clean them up. It aired a lot in the early-mid 90′s, but is probably significantly older.
It was an old cartoon short, I think I remember it being about ten minutes long, and not part of a modern day series. More like something from “Silly Symphony” Walt Disney cartoons.
Yo. It was definitely not the Jetsons. It was not Rosie the Robot. And there was grass outside. Also, I don’t think they listened to vinyl records in the Jetsons. Here, I diagrammed a scene poorly in paint.

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A Carbon-neutral Pile of Manure

Ordinarily, I might take environmental problems seriously, but lately, I can’t. Because the only people imploring me to are advertisers.

Every marketer, it seems, wants to prove how “green” they are. As usual, our industry just follows the herd. And because of the eco-awakening, we’re now lecturing consumers that they need to be “green,” too.

How? By buying more stuff.

In Georgia, for example, the state is promoting environmental awareness via an “Energy Star” tax-free weekend. People are getting a sales tax break when they buy new energy-efficient refrigerators, dryers, etc. In other words, we have to consume more in order to consume less, throwing away perfectly good appliances in the process.

Is consumption always the best answer to the our problems? Is advertising the best voice of reason?

I’m not old, comparatively speaking, but at a certain point I recognize when I’ve lived through a particular cycle in the pop culture. And environmental awareness, yes, I’ve lived through this before. In the late 80’s, Earth Day got hip again. We banned CFC’s from hair spray and Styrofoam boxes from McDonald’s because of a hole in the ozone layer. We started recycling newspapers and plastic, thinking we were saving the planet. That lasted a couple of years, then the Ford Explorer came out. Concern about CFC’s gave way to a feeding frenzy for SUV’s.

Ironically, all this greenwashing is a result of how wildly successful advertising and marketing is. Ad agencies came into their own in post-WWII America, where our industry routinely sold a dream of suburbia: shiny chrome-infused cars, vinyl siding, shag carpeting and frost-free refrigerators.

Comfortably ensconced in our air-conditioned lifestyle, our massive consumption has put a undue strain on the world’s resources. But now, other countries who have fed our largesse (think China, India, etc) want a piece of our energy-thirsty lifestyle for their own. And that’s compounding the problem.

So now global warming and fate of the planet is on our front burner, and as consumers we’ll do almost anything to show we care. In lieu of a real change in the way we live, our clients are more than willing to hire us to sell the solution. And what’s really perverse is that brands are charging a premium for the privilege of feeling good about helping the environment. Brands like Method cleaning products or beauty products from The Body Shop cost significantly more than other brands, and organic produce commands a higher price than conventionally grown. Frankly, many families whose budgets are stretched to the breaking point can’t afford to buy green when price is their primary motivating factor. Which is a shame—even if families want to make a difference, they can’t afford to and we make them feel worse for that shortcoming.

The ultimate load of environmentally-fueled nonsense, however, is coming via good ol’ corporate brand-polishing TV spots for companies who have spotty histories. It’s hard for me to believe that global monoliths like Chevron, BP, Dow and GE are going to lead the environmental awareness revolution, despite their multi-million ad campaigns dedicated to concepts like “ecohumanology” or whatever they’re calling it this week. But agencies, many of them good ones, are perfectly content to shovel this compost on the public.

It’s hard not to view all this greenwashing with a jaundiced eye. But maybe there’s a solution.

I’d love it if the advertising business was more environmentally-friendly. And I know just where to start. I’m sick of clients that demand rounds and rounds of pointless changes to their work—changes that require more printouts, more mockups, more electricity for the computers, and more gasoline to drive to and from client meetings. How about we cut out all the layers of client approvals and the mass quantities of comp materials needed for those presentations?

Of course, I won’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen. Because the ad industry never takes its own advice. We’ll save the real action for someone else. We’re into empty gestures. Which is why I’m thinking about purchasing a carbon offset for the electricity I’ve used writing this column. Maybe I’ll go plant a tree. But since there’s a total watering ban where I live due to a record-breaking drought, it’ll likely die.

Hey, it’s the groupthought that counts, right?

How to clean your new acrylic awnings

    The new awnings you purchased for your home are most likely made from a synthetic solution dyed acrylic fabric.  The most recognizable brand name of this fabric is Sunbrella, other brand names are Dickson Constant, Recacril, Sattler, and Tempotest.  All these fabrics have been treated during the manufacturing process with water repellants and mildew inhibitors.  Cleaning the awnings will affect this treatment so it is a good idea to retreat the fabric once cleaning has been completed and fabric is dry.  The following is a quick guide to effectively cleaning your awnings and treating them in order to ensure a long life for your awnings while looking great.

Step 1:  Determine the fabric your awnings have been manufactured from.  If they are any material other than solution dyed acrylic then do not use these instructions.  Some of the other materials used in residential awnings include cotton, vinyl, and coated polyesters.  If you have trouble determing the fabric your awnings are made from then call the manufacturer/installer and inquire.  Most companies keep these records readily available.

Step 2:  Be safe!!  If you are going to clean the awnings while they are still on their frames make sure you use the proper ladders in order to reach the awnings.  If you clean the awnings after you have taken them down for the season then make sure you clean them on a smooth clean surface.

Step 3:  To clean the awning properly you will need a soft bristle brush.  Preferably one with a telescoping handle.  Mix a solution of Dawn dishwashing detergent ( or ivory snow )  and water to start with, this solution should take care of most of the common dirt found on awnings.  Rinse the awning first to get the fabric wet and then brush the solution onto the awning, brush up and down and diagonally.  Rinse well to ensure all detergent has been rinsed away.

For stubborn stains that remain on the awning following a basic cleaning you will need to use a different method and cleaning agents.  The following are some of the most common stains found on awnings and the method used to get rid of these stains.

Mildew:  Use 1 cup of bleach and 2 ounces of Dawn dishwashing liquid and one gallon of warm water.  Let the solution soak into the fabric for 30 minutes and then follow the instructions above.  Be careful to wear gloves and eye protection and be aware of whatever else is in the vicinity of your awning that could be affected by the bleach solution.  With this method it is best to clean the awning away from the house, shrubbery, flowers , etc.

Tree sap:  Use turpentine directly on the sap and then the solution of Dawn dishwashing liquid/water.

Bird droppings:  Dry bird droppings can sometimes be lightly scraped away. Try this first if you can reach the offending birds parting gift.  Once you have done this then attack the rest of it with Goo Gone Grease Cutter, Greased lightning or Clean Rite Purple Power. 

Grease/Oil:  Use a volatile solvent (acetone).  Then use soap and water. Again as with any powerful cleaner be aware of what is around the awning.  Also wear eye protection and gloves.  As with any strong chemical follow the manufacturers recommendations regarding the safe handling of their product.

Step 4:  After the awning has dried completely.  Retreat your fabric with 303 Fabric Guard. 

If you follow these steps you will prolong the life of your awnings while keeping them looking great.

if a vinyl record skips does that mean its broken?

if a vinyl is skipping and the needle is slidding along the record is it broke or does it just need cleaning?
can i use a damp soft cloth to clean it?
ive fixed it, i cleaned my vinyls with a very dammed cloth and i thought i broke the vinyls, but their is no problem with the vinyls, it was the needle on the stylus it was out of position so i pulled it down a bit and now its perfect… so hope it helps anyone else with this porblem, i was scared i thought i broke my records…

but now im happy listeniong to some good vinyls, sounds friggin beautiful

The Happy Horse Products Professional Hay Steamer

Riding on the success of the Happy Horse Hay Steamer range launched in 2007 is the new all in one Professional system. The result of 10 years of research and development, the Happy Horse hay steamer has become firmly established as the first choice in hay preparation for healthy horses. Visit our website for more details. www.happyhorseproducts.com

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Vinyl record cleaning in the ultrasonic bath

Setting Standards for Business Attire

When it comes to your businesses standard of dress or dress code you have to take in consideration certain factors. You have to always remember that your business is a business be it run from an outside office or a home. The way we dress can create a sense of emotion that leads to outer expression. What this means is, in the example of a young woman dressing in baggy jeans and a large t-shirt with a ball cap. This outfit is comfortable; it covers the female body and removes the need for femininity. You’ll see many women wearing this attire and waling hunched over with poor posture. Now in the case of a young woman wearing a blouse and slacks, this form of attire can provide a sense of pride or beauty. This outfit makes you want to walk tall and holding your head high. You feel a greater sense of importance and professionalism. Clothes make the man they say and studies have shown that your outer attire can create an outer expression of attitude.

Due to this finding many businesses require that there employees dress in casual business attire. Collared shirts and slacks or khaki pants. Depending on what type of company you run will depend on the level of dress you will require of your employees. Here are further examples. A shop clerk working in a store that offering home crafts. Woodwork, quilted items and so on could dress in more downplayed attire. A button up shirt or collared shirt and slacks or skirts could be suitable. A bank clerk should have a more refined appearance. Dress slacks, blouse or dress shirts would be more appropriate for a more business look. The final example is a vinyl record store clerk. This is often a more relaxed environment. Jeans, t-shirts and other items of self-expression are often seen. These standards are not set in stone. The dress code is entirely up to the employer, but the importance of dress attire can play a role in business.

When future clients come to a work site, you want them to see it as professional, clean and crisp. You don’t want you employees running around in pajama bottoms and t-shirts as this can really turn away clients. Some companies have dress for success days in which a client visit is announced the day before and employees are informed of the appropriate dress for the following day. This can keep employees happy as they are in comfortable clothing throughout the majority of the workweek. Clients are also happy as they see employees in appropriate clothing.

Consider these areas in setting a dress code standard. You will find that is helps to fit the over all function of your company and you will be satisfied with your final decision. You do want employees to be comfortable but not so comfortable that they are so relaxed that is affects the amount of effort they put into their job. Come up with three attire choices that you deem suitable and have your employees vote on the final decision. This allows for everyone to be satisfied in the final decision making process.

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Vinyl Records Cleaning Help!?

I am wondering what I should use to clean my records. I was wondering if i have to splurge to buy the cleaner and brush or (like I saw on a website) wash them using mild soap and water with a tooth brush in a circular motion. Dry with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Thanks!!!!

Diy Record Cleaning Machine robot

My diy record cleaner. Uses the thread buffer system like a keith monks or a loricraft. The cleaning arm is controled by an arduino and 2 rc servos. sorry for the low quality of video. more details: www.audiokarma.org