How to clean records

joedee

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Hi,
Just got some records off e-bay. Some are dirty and have some scratches. What is the best way to clean them and is there any way to remove some of the scratches?

Thank you,
Joe
 
I don't have a lot of experience with scratch repair. I've always heard that manually running the table backwards at the scratch point causes the needle to "smooth" out the scratch. I've never tried it though so i can't recomend it. maybe someone else will chime in with their methods.
 
I've managed to repair a few over the years.

You need:
A high power magnifying glass,
a bright light source
a super thin exacto blade and
a very very very steady hand!

One slip and you can make things a lot worse.
Good luck!
 
Thank you for all the input. I did clean them as suggested and found it made a huge difference. Even the ones with some scratches sounded much better.

Thank you,
Joe
 
im down the goodwill alot picking up 50 cent records (thats the cost, not the performer lol)

anyway, i usually pass on the ones all scratched up but i do own alot of dirty dusty records i need to clean off one day
 
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Sorry I could not help it either, did anyone ever try one of these? I'm sure it was junk.
 
I read somewhere on a message board of a way of cleaning records and they had photos and included two audio clips of the reproduction "before and after" and the results were quite amazing.
Using a spare turntable, they spread some sort of silicone or other adhesive (which wouldn't adhere permanently to vinyl) on the record and turned on the turntable and let it run until the stuff had become evenly spread.
When it dried, they peeled off the glue in one piece which had collected all the debris from the grooves.
 
Using a spare turntable, they spread some sort of silicone or other adhesive (which wouldn't adhere permanently to vinyl) on the record and turned on the turntable and let it run until the stuff had become evenly spread.
When it dried, they peeled off the glue in one piece which had collected all the debris from the grooves.

Oh my God! For the sake of those that follow us, please don't try this. I spend a lot of time here:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/bbs.html

Every time this "glue method" has come-up the consensus is (in a policeman-type voice): "Sir! I'm warning you for the last time. Drop the glue and back away from that record!"

Although vinyl is experiencing a mild resurgence, it still behooves us to take care of our records as best as possible for future generations.

Jim
 
Oh my God! For the sake of those that follow us, please don't try this. I spend a lot of time here:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/bbs.html

Every time this "glue method" has come-up the consensus is (in a policeman-type voice): "Sir! I'm warning you for the last time. Drop the glue and back away from that record!"

Although vinyl is experiencing a mild resurgence, it still behooves us to take care of our records as best as possible for future generations.

Jim
Hey!

Don't shoot the messenger.

The demonstration I saw obviously works. But I haven't the time to try it.
I find that meths and a fairly stiff paintbrush works for me.
 
Doghouse,

Sorry if that may have came-off as a bit abrupt, and I surely didn't mean for my post to appear that way. No harm intended. Pax?

However, given the value of some of the records I have in my collection (LP's, mostly), as well as the fact that they aren't making them any more (original mono Blue Notes, MFLS UHQR's, etc, etc), I cringe every time I read about this "glue method" of record cleaning when in reality it can leave behind some really nasty residues.

It's sad, really, that what gets posted on the internet will be around...well..."forever", and even though the information may be incorrect, if it's said enough times, and in enough places, people start to think it's true. Three, four, ten, or even more years from now someone may see this thread and think, "Hey! I can use some glue to "fix" that "Promo" White Album", when in fact most likely they will be damaging it.

And as I said, since they aren't making them anymore...

I look upon myself as a "caretaker" for my LP's (and 45's), and I apologize if this is the wrong place to discuss this.
 
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I apply and buff off in a clockwise fashion,
opposite direction of stylus drag.

It has a 95% success rate and has saved many
records from being tossed due to skipping or
excessive crack & pop.

Bonus: record appears shiny and new.
 
I've heard of an apparatus that uses high pressure water (and possibly some detergent solution or something) sprayed into the grooves. Supposed to be the shiz-nit. Can't remember the name of it and never actually seen one work, told they are very expensive!
 
I have one of these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXHKeM2TGWQ

Cheap and works brilliantly.

(found some on e-bay http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr..._nkw=disco-antistat&_sacat=See-All-Categories

They're less than 50 euro's here, so I think 100 bucks is a bit steep.

The best thing is that you can re-use the fluid a lot of times.

The cleaning is excellent and especially the anti-static job of the fluid is great.

The labels do get some drops of fluid now and then, but the fluid doesn't hurt them.

This product is on the market ever since the late 70's !
 
I was told by a record collector to clean records just use windex and a soft rag. I wonder though if the windex is good for the vinyl.....Dave
 
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