What sort of brush to clean capsules?

[k brown]

Trace elements aren't going to harm Mylar. The tiny amounts that might be left behind won't affect capsule's performance.

 

[kingkorg]

I've just recently cleaned my K87 capsule. Distilled water is not always pure. All the stuff I found locally in stores still contained trace elements. So if it is designed for drinking I wouldn't use it. I personally decided to go lab grade.

The reason i avoid liquid is that there has been reported that some capsules (even some k67/87) have microscopic holes in diaphragms for venting. I have never encountered one though.

 

[kingkorg]

I've just recently cleaned my K87 capsule. Distilled water is not always pure. All the stuff I found locally in stores still contained trace elements. So if it is designed for drinking I wouldn't use it. I personally decided to go lab grade.

Lab grade absolutely. I get it at a local hospital, I sure hope it's clean i inject it in my patients daily

On a sidenote I absolutely don't recommend drinking distilled water

 

[squib]

Distilled water and a squirrel hair brush

I've cleaned hundreds of capsules

 

[k brown]

I stay on the safe side, and if something wont come off by nudging with a dry brush, I leave it alone.

 

[soliloqueen]

The reason i avoid liquid is that there has been reported that some capsules (even some k67/87) have microscopic holes in diaphragms for venting. I have never encountered one though.

my reason for avoiding liquid would be the hole that we already know is there: the one in the center of the diaphragm. it's also the lowest point of the diaphragm, so the liquid will go straight there.

 

[C12VR]

I once saw a video where the guy dunked an M49 head straight into a basin of water. Didn't sit right with me then, or now.

 

[k brown]

I once saw a video where the guy dunked an M49 head straight into a basin of water. Didn't sit right with me then, or now.

For what bloody reason?

 

[C12VR]

For what bloody reason?

to "clean" it; he claimed that the water would just evaporate.

 

[k brown]

to "clean" it; he claimed that the water would just evaporate.

Most of the gunk I've seen on vintage Neumanns wouldn't be touched by water.

Skin oils and tobacco tar are not water soluble.

 

[emrr]

https://groupdiy.com/threads/cleaning-a-ldc-k67-type-capsule-with-pics.22287/

 

[papadajoke]

I've just recently cleaned my K87 capsule. Distilled water is not always pure. All the stuff I found locally in stores still contained trace elements. So if it is designed for drinking I wouldn't use it. I personally decided to go lab grade.

Deionized water should do the trick.

 

[k brown]

https://www.chemicals.co.uk/blog/deionised-water-or-distilled-water

 

[kingkorg]

https://groupdiy.com/threads/cleaning-a-ldc-k67-type-capsule-with-pics.22287/

I have actually ruined one capsule with alcohol at even lower concentration. I guess it depends if the mylar is primed and what kind of gold depositing is used.
At this point i'd rather go with some detergent, or sometimes CRC electronic cleaner for heavy stuff. THIS IS BY NO MEANS RECOMMENDATION TO ANYONE, I HAVE FACILITIES TO RESKIN CAPSULE IF THINGS GO SOUTH. Most of the time for me the brush alone does the trick.

 

[Junction]

I had discussed this with Neumann and they provided me with a description on how to clean them. Of course that email is long gone, but basically, carefully drip feed distilled water across the membrane surface, its good to have say a white saucer/dinner plate underneath collecting the water so you can see if any particles come off, hopefully no gold plating. If there appears to be foreign particles still on the surface that are not washing off, use something like a lens brush, the finest hair brush you can source and gently brush while running the distilled water across it. If you see any gold particles, stop brushing immediately. Cleaning with a brush should only be done if there is a performance issue with the microphone and not something you should do periodically. If you have a condensor that shuts down for a number of seconds, could be 10 -15 seconds at high sound pressure levels, then it most likely needs cleaning. After cleaning, with an open mouth, softly "huff' on the microphone surface, it should no longer shut down.

 

[Electrobumps]

Trace elements aren't going to harm Mylar. The tiny amounts that might be left behind wont affect capsule's performance.

I'd rather not leave any trace elements on my vintage capsules.

 

[k brown]

Once used in the real world, they won't remain free of trace elements for very long.

 

[RuudNL]

Here's how Dan Alexander does it:
(IMHO this is the way NOT to do it!)

 

[TLRT]

When the capsule is very old sometimes I add a little isopropyl alchol as the mics has so much spit, cigarette etc dirt. (But I consult the owner that maybe he needs a New capsule if it is not successful) When there is a damage on the membrane the gold will come off no matter if you use water or alcohol. If successful the capsule looks very good and pass the breath test. Drogerie Markt has excellent superfine brushes for women's eyes, I asked help from a cosmetician friend.

 

[RuudNL]

It is true that when there is a 'greasy' contamination on the membrane(s), water won't be able to remove that.
But in that case I will never use alcohol as an additive! (I use my 'secret' additve instead. )