cleaning vinyl?

Jemima_FuddleCup

Sorry, not sure where to post this? Perhaps the moderators could move it if I'm in the wrong place?

I've got some really nice old records which I bought 2nd hand, and I'd like to clean them. Can anyone recommend me a product / method?

Visually the records look to be unmarked, and most of them play fine, but one or two 'get stuck' for some reason, and I wondered if cleaning them thoroughly as opposed to just with a velvet antistatic vinyl brush before playing them, would help.

googler

How much do you want to spend on the exercise? Professional record-cleaning machines can reach the hundreds of pounds, so ....

You say they are "old"

Are they definitely vinyl, for if they are in vintage category, 78rpm discs, the cleaning method will be totally different.

In my experience, assuming all is OK with the turntable and arm, debris causing a 'stick' or 'jump' is usually something sticking to the surface which can be cleared.

Play the disc, and establish the area where the sticking occurs, by reference to the label for angle, and track/duration for distance from centre/edge.

With a magnifier, inspect the area having cleaned the disc fully, or given a wipe with your anti-static brush. Having identified the culprit debris, apply some isopropyl alcohol (or neat vodka at a pinch) to the immediate area, and use a wooden toothpick or cocktail stick, working in the direction of the grooves, to loosen it. You'll see or feel it come away.

Play disc to confirm OK

Jemima_FuddleCup

Thanks for your reply. They're from the 50s/60s/70s, they're not 78rpm's. The vinyl is fairly heavy-weight/sturdy.

Isopropyl alcohol? Ok, will have a look online. Might be cheaper than special record cleaning liquids, though I think there are lots of these available, too.

Pretty sure all is ok with the record player, I only bought it in April, and most of my records play fine.

googler

Jemima_FuddleCup wrote: »

Isopropyl alcohol? Ok, will have a look online.

Isopropyl Alcohol can be got in small quantity from a local chemist or pharmacist, just tell them you're using it to clean tape recorder heads.

Or just buy some tape head cleaner from local hifi shop, supermarket, poundshop, etc. 9 times out of 10, that's pure IA.

https://www.google.com/search?q=tape+head+cleaner&rlz=1C1CHBD_en-GBGB691GB691&source=lnms&tbm=shop&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjJla_6nsDfAhVdQhUIHRvKAC8Q_AUIDigB&biw=1152&bih=730

FWIW, I've removed debris from some used records in the past with sewing needles. technique as described above, just don't 'dig' the needle into the surface. Work it as near to parallel to the surface as you can.

Let us all know how you get on

Voyager2002

If you are a perfectionist, a Moth record cleaning machine works very well.Perhaps someone near you owns one and might help a fellow-enthusiast for a few pints?

Jemima_FuddleCup

Voyager2002 wrote: »

If you are a perfectionist, a Moth record cleaning machine works very well.Perhaps someone near you owns one and might help a fellow-enthusiast for a few pints?

I was wondering if any records shops nearby might have a machine that cleans vinyl but I imagine they'd charge quite a bit and I don't really want to lug my records around on the bus if I can help it. Will bear it in mind though, thanks.

googler

Jemima_FuddleCup wrote: »

I was wondering if any records shops nearby might have a machine that cleans vinyl

In the old days, it was more likely the HiFi equipment shops, rather than record shops - unless a particularly-dedicated second-hand dealer.

With the way the market has changed these days, would be very surprised if any but the most dedicated turntable specialists would have them

esuhl

I was randomly browsing YouTube a while back, and saw someone who used some kind of newly engineered gloop. I think it was poured on to the record, left to dry, then peeled off. Apparently is was amazing stuff and made it really easy to clean the record without scratching it further.

Jemima_FuddleCup

esuhl wrote: »

I was randomly browsing YouTube a while back, and saw someone who used some kind of newly engineered gloop. I think it was poured on to the record, left to dry, then peeled off. Apparently is was amazing stuff and made it really easy to clean the record without scratching it further.

Oh really? Not sure I'd be brave enough to do that :eek:

barmonkey

esuhl wrote: »

I was randomly browsing YouTube a while back, and saw someone who used some kind of newly engineered gloop. I think it was poured on to the record, left to dry, then peeled off. Apparently is was amazing stuff and made it really easy to clean the record without scratching it further.

Its PVA glue, it works really well.

Norman_Castle

Jemima_FuddleCup wrote: »

Visually the records look to be unmarked, and most of them play fine, but one or two 'get stuck' for some reason,

Could be a short scratch. From memory I've been given records that skip and found bits of food stuck to them causing the skipping.