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How To Clean Old Vinyl Records

How to Clean Vinyl Records Wipe gently. Remove all dust and static using a microfiber cloth, using very little pressure to avoid driving any particles further into the grooves in the vinyl. Rinse. Apply Simple Green solution. Damp-wipe clean. Dry. Spin and store properly.

What household items can you use to clean vinyl records?

Here’s what you’ll need: Warm water. Some people say you should use hot water, but there’s no real benefit to that. Dish soap (or record cleaning solution) Dish soap is the cheapest option, but it will leave a bit of residue on your records. Carbon Fiber Brush. Soft, Lint-Free Cloth.

How do you restore old vinyl records?

You can spread wood glue over the top of your record as it spins on the turntable. Once it has dried, you are simply able to peel it right off. This may help repair scratches as well as pick up dirt and debris that is deep within the grooves of the record.

How do you clean vinyl records yourself?

Mix 1/4 of 96-99% isopropyl alcohol, 3/4 distilled water, and one or two drops of rinse agent. The best way to do this is to add these ingredients to a spray bottle and shake well. Place the record on a microfiber cloth. Spray the solution on the record by making sure none of it gets on the label.

Is it OK to clean vinyl records with alcohol?

Wash The Record In particular, we recommend avoiding any that contain isopropyl alcohol. While it will clean the muck off your record, many people report that over time it’ll also damage the protective coating on your vinyl. If you are going to use a solution with isopropyl alcohol – use is sparingly.

Can wd40 clean vinyl records?

WD-40 is a great vinyl record cleaning product. It does not contain any ammonia or alcohol, and it is a volatile solvent. After use, it will remove the dirt or dust, evaporate and leave behind a non-volatile lubricant. All you require is a lint-free cloth, the WD-40, and time.

Can you use vinegar to clean vinyl records?

Sum everything up, the best way to clean the record is cleaning vinyl records with vinegar. It is very good for cleaning. I use white vinegar and distilled water 50-50 for many years, it gives an excellent result. I highly recommend this to all vinyl lovers.

Can you remove scratches from vinyl records?

Apply a thin line of epoxy or wood glue to the scratched area. If there are multiple scratches, apply glue to the entire record as it spins on your turntable. Place the tip of the glue bottle to the inner label of the record and lightly apply pressure. Stop once you’ve reached the outer edge of the record.

Can you clean records with eyeglass cleaner?

By all means laugh and deride but I have found Spectacle Lens cleaner (Specsavers Lens Bright) does an excellent job of wetting the disc surface and removing any trace of surface dirt. Judging from the playing after it also digs into those grooves too.

Can you clean vinyl records with Windex?

Can you clean vinyl records with Windex? Yes, you can–but it’s not recommended. Ideally, if you’re going to clean records, you should use a proper record cleaning solution or a homemade solution that contains distilled water, one or two drops of regular dish soap, and one or two drops of isopropyl alcohol.

How do you make a vinyl record cleaner?

The exact mixture is one part isopropyl alcohol, one part distilled water, and one to two drops of dishwashing soap. This combination of fluids is widely recommended as an efficient mixture to clean records using what are household materials. The three ingredients were easy to measure and easy to mix.

Can you use water to clean vinyl records?

Ideally, you want to use distilled water to avoid impurities from your tap getting into the grooves of the record. Try to avoid the label when cleaning with water. The brush helps remove dirt and impurities from the grooves of the record when you move it in a concentric motion, or along the same axis as the record.

What’s the best thing to clean vinyl records?

Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with water (distilled water is preferred), and lightly wipe the entire surface of the record in a circular motion with the grooves of the record, being careful to avoid the center label.

What causes skips in vinyl records?

A common reason your records may skip is dust and dirt that gets into the grooves. While it may occur on old records due to storage, paper sleeves or dust in the environment, new records may also have dust or dirt. You want to remove any dust or dirt from the record before playing it to prevent skipping.

Does ultrasonic cleaning damage vinyl records?

The microscopic vacuum bubbles produced in an ultrasonic record cleaner implode with great force to loosen and carry away these contaminants, but the process is so fast there is no damage to the vinyl records being cleaned .

Can a warped record be fixed?

Fortunately, warped records can often be fixed, so you can be back to rockin’ and rollin’ in no time. You’ll need two sheets of glass larger than your album, but small enough to fit in your oven. Heavier or thicker glass tends to work best.

How do I remove static from my records?

The best way to remove static on records is by carefully cleaning the record. Storing records in sleeves helps prevent static noise, while spraying antistatic on a cloth and gently wiping down the record can help to get rid of any static remnants. There are also vinyl record safe brushes that combat static.

How do you clean a moldy record?

Disaster recovery services recommend a mixture of one part isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) to three parts water. Spray this combination on a soft cloth, and carefully work it into the grooves of the record. Always work in the direction of the grooves.