LAST Factory Record Preservative / LAST All-Purpose Record Cleaner Kit10% less than buying separately

I've been using this since the '80s (yes, I'm old), and if you want to preserve the actual surface of your records from wear and tear from the stylus on your turntable, you want LAST. A lot has been written on the internet about how it works specifically, so I won't try to repeat it here. But taking a new album, cleaning it, and then using LAST Record Preservative on it is literally the best treatment you can give a new LP, EP or even 7".

I purchased these LAST Factory products after doing much research into the best and safest method of cleaning vinyl records. These products were praised (along with a select few others), so I decided to give them a shot. The instructions are simple enough to follow, but utilizing them efficiently will take some practice. After 5 or so records, you should have a good work-flow down. The Record Cleaner 3 evaporates after 4-5 circular wipes, which is good since you really need to get the record right back into its sleeve (preferably a new, higher-quality one, if you were still using the default). The Preservative is a bit more of a hassle; if you are following the instructions correctly, you will have to hold the applicator, dropper, and the screw-on cap at the same time so you can get the cap on as soon as you have pulled the liquid out with the dropper. This stuff evaporates very quickly. Likewise, you will need to apply it to the vinyl as soon as possible.Initially, I was unimpressed by this system. I cleaned a few records and applied the preservative, but I didn't hear any difference. Then, I acquired some new speakers and rearranged my stereo setup, bringing the records to life. That's when I could hear the difference between a record before and after cleaning. The biggest indicator was when I cleaned an old copy of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells. I could see the dirty buildup on the applicator after using the 3. I haven't played it yet to see if it sounds any better, but it was reassuring to see that gunk. There's no way for me to test the effectiveness of the Preservative. Research I have done from experienced folk contend on the issue: one reviewer swears by it while another says that he does not like the lubricant in the formula. In my short time and having played the records afterwards, I don't see any harm in it. I will give it the benefit of the doubt.The applicators are also simple to clean. Simply fill a bowl with distilled water (maybe purified, I'm not sure) and a few drops of blue, unscented dawn. Let them soak in that for a while then air dry.I give this product a solid 4/5 stars, losing one star simply for the effort involved. I would highly recommend. I've since purchased a SpinClean system and intend to do a comparison between the two.

Using the all purpose cleaner did not work with my records. The preservative left an ugly line on the record. I am never buying this stuff again.

Expensive, but worth it. I've used on both new and used records since the early '80's. Once the record is cleaned and preservative applied, recorded high frequences sound cleaner and dirt noise disappears, and this lasts for many, many years.