VPI Record Cleaning Brush HW33

The VPI Fluid Application Brush for HW-17 Machines

VPI's part 3117, sold singly — the fluid application cleaning brush for the HW-17 series record cleaning machines. This is the brush that works the fluid into the groove before the vacuum arm takes it away again.

The two halves of a vacuum clean are often confused. The machine's suction removes; the brush is what loosens. A worn brush means the vacuum is lifting fluid off a record whose grooves were never properly agitated in the first place.

Fit and Function

What the Brush Actually Does

Fluid alone does not clean a record. It softens and suspends what is in the groove, and something has to reach in and dislodge it. Bristles fine enough to enter a groove and stiff enough to work are what turn a wet record into a clean one.

Which Machines It Fits

VPI designates it for the HW-17 series. It is a fitted part for that machine's brush mount rather than a hand-held brush, so it is not interchangeable with a brush you would use on a turntable.

Bristles splay and soften with use, and a splayed bristle rides over a groove rather than entering it. That is the point at which replacing the brush restores what the machine could always do.

Who Is This Brush Best For?

• You own an HW-17 series machine — this is VPI's designated brush for it
• Your cleaning results have slipped — a tired brush is the usual reason before the vacuum is
• The bristles have splayed or matted — visible from above, and it means they are no longer entering grooves
• You clean a lot of second-hand vinyl — the brush does the work and wears accordingly
• Your machine is an HW-16 or 16.5 — those take a different brush, listed in record cleaning accessories

How Do You Fit It?

Unplug the machine. Remove the old brush from its mount, clean any residue from the mounting area, and fit the new one so the bristles sit square to the record surface. Run a cycle and watch that the bristles meet the record evenly across the radius.

Pairs Well With

What most owners keep alongside.

• Record cleaning solutions — the fluid the machine is there to remove
• Record cleaning accessories — the rest of the spares and consumables
• Record cleaning machines — if you are still choosing one
• Stylus cleaning — a clean record deserves a clean stylus

Frequently Asked Questions

Will it fit my machine?

VPI specifies it for the HW-17 series. The HW-16 and HW-16.5 machines use a different brush, so check which machine you have before ordering.

How often should it be replaced?

By condition rather than by calendar. Splayed, matted or visibly shortened bristles mean it is riding over grooves instead of reaching into them.

How many do I need?

One per brush mount, sold singly. The vacuum removes fluid but the brush is what loosens what the fluid has softened, so a spare on the shelf is sensible if you clean often.

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