Tips on cleaning/repairing vinyl records?

[Earth 2 Chris]

My wonderful wife recently bought me one of those turntable/tape/CD/MP3 players. I've had a blast listening to old records I hadn't heard in years, and listening to some I picked up for the first time!

But most of my childhood records are scratched up pretty bad, and dirty. Any tips for cleaning these, and possibly filling in the scratches, or at least, lessening the effects of the scratches on the playback?

Chris

[Blue Meanie]

My wonderful wife recently bought me one of those turntable/tape/CD/MP3 players. I've had a blast listening to old records I hadn't heard in years, and listening to some I picked up for the first time!

But most of my childhood records are scratched up pretty bad, and dirty. Any tips for cleaning these, and possibly filling in the scratches, or at least, lessening the effects of the scratches on the playback?

Chris

Unfortunately there's nothing you can do about scratches...especially the deeper ones. There is cleaning fluid for cleaning records and there are record cleaning machines...but the machines run anywhere from 400 - 800 bucks. If you have a classic vinyl/record store in your area...they may have a machine and may have a service for cleaning records. Maybe charge you a couple of bucks to clean your record. I've been wanting to get a record cleaning machine for years...just haven't had that kind of money freed up to make the purchase. Here's an ebay auction for a one step cleaning system...never tried it myself:

Mofi ONE Record Cleaning Solution and Brush Combo New | eBay

BTW, today is Record Store Day across the country...so if you have a record store in your area you may want to stop in and take a look around.

[Blue Meanie]

Forgot I had this on my desktop...here's a guy in Australia who has invented a gel that doesn't damage records and you just spread it on a record and 24 hours later you peel it off and your record is clean. It's supposed to get all the "junk" out of the record grooves. Also makes it so that your records don't "Pop" from static build up:

RECORD REViRGiNiZER Vinyl Record Cleaner Restorer - Home Page -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it8G2veq5PE


Only problem is the shipping. One bottle of the stuff costs about $80.

[Wise4671]

I have always used rubbing alcohol and a soft rag on mine and it works like a charm. deep scratches I'm afraid there is no way to fix that I know of.

[kingdom warrior]

Believe it or Don't I use white distilled vinegar for my Records Cd's and Dvd's for years now and I've never ever had any problems.......

[Mikey]

Believe it or Don't I use white distilled vinegar for my Records Cd's and Dvd's for years now and I've never ever had any problems.......

And another benefit is it leaves your record collection smelling like an Italian Sub

[kingdom warrior]

And another benefit is it leaves your record collection smelling like an Italian Sub

[Blue Meanie]

Do NOT use anything that has an alcohol base to it. It will damage your records. I don't know about the distilled Vinegar...being that Wine turns into vinegar. Wine is alcohol. I think that megoat should chime in on this subject. He has a lot more experience than I do when it comes to records. Again, any sort of alcohol based fluids to clean records is DEFINITELY a NO NO. It will damage your records.

[kingdom warrior]

Do NOT use anything that has an alcohol base to it. It will damage your records. I don't know about the distilled Vinegar...being that Wine turns into vinegar. Wine is alcohol. I think that megoat should chime in on this subject. He has a lot more experience than I do when it comes to records. Again, any sort of alcohol based fluids to clean records is DEFINITELY a NO NO. It will damage your records.

I don't have any valuable records just crap from the 80's......

[megoat]

Everyone is correct--you cannot not "repair" a record. Once they are scratched the scratch is there to stay.

As for cleaning I use a mix of 1 part isoporpyl alcohol to two parts distilled water (alcohol is fine, Meanie, as long as you are cleaning VINYL records and not old 78s--never use alcohol on a 78!) One tiny drop of dish soap. Spray the mixture on to the record surface and then use a 100 percent cotton rag (cut up some old white t-shirts) and rub WITH the grooves (in a circular motion). That should do the trick. I've never heard of using vinegar. I don't think I'd recommend it--i would think that there might be some residue left behind in the grooves.

I have a machine that does this work for me--but like Meanie said they are expensive and for a casual collector or vinyl fan I wouldn't recommend......

[Brazoo]

For what it's worth - this is my take:

Scratches - forggetaboudit.

Cleaning - try not to use any fluid, if you can. Light surface dust can usually be removed using a dry (or nearly dry) record cleaning brush - like the one that comes with the kit Blue Meanie posted.

For anything worse than surface dust you can use a little of the fluid that comes with the brush and follow the directions megoat gave you. Rubbing WITH the groves is key!

I think it's best to stick to a recommended pre-prepaired cleaning fluid rather than fussing making your own though.

But I'm a very moderate collector and record listener. I think I paid $30 for a really good record cleaning brush that came with it's own solution 6 years ago and I still use them both to this day. So I'd say spend a bit of cash on that instead of risking anything homemade.

[Blue Meanie]

Everyone is correct--you cannot not "repair" a record. Once they are scratched the scratch is there to stay.

As for cleaning I use a mix of 1 part isoporpyl alcohol to two parts distilled water (alcohol is fine, Meanie, as long as you are cleaning VINYL records and not old 78s--never use alcohol on a 78!) One tiny drop of dish soap. Spray the mixture on to the record surface and then use a 100 percent cotton rag (cut up some old white t-shirts) and rub WITH the grooves (in a circular motion). That should do the trick. I've never heard of using vinegar. I don't think I'd recommend it--i would think that there might be some residue left behind in the grooves.

I have a machine that does this work for me--but like Meanie said they are expensive and for a casual collector or vinyl fan I wouldn't recommend......

I knew that it damaged one form of Records What do you think of the Wood Glue Cleaning method that is all over you tube?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE3CEa1Ol9c

[megoat]

I knew that it damaged one form of Records What do you think of the Wood Glue Cleaning method that is all over you tube?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE3CEa1Ol9c

I tried it once. It sorta worked. No way I'd do that to an expensive record though!

[megoat]

For what it's worth - this is my take:

Scratches - forggetaboudit.

Cleaning - try not to use any fluid, if you can. Light surface dust can usually be removed using a dry (or nearly dry) record cleaning brush - like the one that comes with the kit Blue Meanie posted.

For anything worse than surface dust you can use a little of the fluid that comes with the brush and follow the directions megoat gave you. Rubbing WITH the groves is key!

I think it's best to stick to a recommended pre-prepaired cleaning fluid rather than fussing making your own though.

But I'm a very moderate collector and record listener. I think I paid $30 for a really good record cleaning brush that came with it's own solution 6 years ago and I still use them both to this day. So I'd say spend a bit of cash on that instead of risking anything homemade.

The problem with those record brushes is how do you clean them? I mean, after you have used it for 6 YEARS do you think that brush is clean?

Personally I don't like those brush/fluid kits they sell. Making fluid is easy (it's not like some secret formula locked in a vault!) and old clean t-shirts work better than a felt pad/brush--and both are cheaper!

[Brazoo]

Well, like I said - I don't use my records a lot and they don't really get dirty - just minor surface dust. My brush looks brand new still. It's all relative I guess.

I got some old 45s in a garage sale that looked perfect - but they all had heavy static on them, and a collector friend I knew at the time said they were probably damaged by being cleaned with water at some point. I don't know if that's true - but that's why I just got a bottle of store bought stuff.