Okay, well I was going through my mom's old records- and they are in awful condition. There's watermarks everywhere, mold, etc. Does anyone have any tips of conserving old records? Can I clean them with water? Or at least wipe them with toilet paper?

Other questions:
- Can I buy sleeves for the records anywhere? (like an envelope for the records)
- Can I get some of them appraised?
- Where can I get a record player?
- Where can I buy old albums? Everyone says music stores, but I buy my music online and @ Best Buy, so I have no idea what "music stores" mean?

I'd appreciate any tips. Thanks a billion.

ok treat the vinyl with respect

If you have more than a few hundred vinyl records I'm not going to mince words: Use a vacuum record cleaner such as those sold by Nitty Gritty, VPI or Keith Monks. The results are far quicker, safer and superior to anything you could attempt to do by hand as the machine will apply the record cleaning solution, properly scrub the record and finally vacuum the dirt and liquid off leaving you with a dry and pristine vinyl record.

A record cleaning machine is simply a box with a motor that turns a platter with a vacuum suction tube that has an applicator pad or soft brush. One simply places the record on the platter, primes the pump to apply the record cleaning solution and let the record spin a few revolutions to work loose any dirt and oils that are in the grooves of the record. You then flip the switch and the vacuum sucks up any crud and fluid as well as drying the record. Pretty simple, but make sure you clean the pads / brushes after each record.


While you could make your own record cleaning solution from household items it is far better to buy ready-made solutions such as Nitty Gritty Pure 2 or Super Vinyl Wash by Record Research Lab. All of these are safe for use in record cleaning machines and on all vinyl records (non-shellac). I have also used Record Research Lab's Super Deep Cleaner before using the above for an even cleaner record.

As good as a record cleaning machine is there are times when I will get a really dirty record from the flea market and wash it by hand FIRST before putting it on the machine so as not to foul up the expensive machine.

I use the Nitty Gritty Mini Pro2 and swear by it. If cost is a consideration and why wouldn't it, then consider getting a used Nitty Gritty or VPI record cleaner from eBay as they always have plenty up for sale. A new bare bones manual Nitty Gritty machine known as the Record Doctor starts at around $199.(US) whereas some of the better automatic VPI's can go for almost a grand if not more. Regardless of which machine you chose it is a wise and solid investment and strongly recommended if you value your priceless records


The Nitty Griitty and VPI vacuum record cleaning machines are expensive so if you want to do it by hand note the following:

Just as with a VPI or Nitty Gritty record cleaning machine, the best way to clean records is by buying a commercially available record cleaning solution such as Last or Discwasher D4, which usually come with an applicator brush. The Last Company makes some good although pricey manual cleaners for records and your cartridge stylus and comes highly recommended. You could also use the same cleaners sold for use in machines, but you'll need to buy a good record cleaning brush to use them.

To begin, lay the record on a clean flat surface such as on a soft towel on a table or place the record on the turntable platter. If you decide to clean your records while they are on the turntable make sure to secure the tonearm so it doesn't accidentally swing across the record as you are cleaning it and do not apply too much pressure on the platter as you can damage the bearings. Also pay attention not to get any record cleaning fluid on the platter or turntable finish.

Follow the directions on the bottle, but generally one applies the liquid to the applicator brush and not on the record itself. Take the brush and place it on top of the record and turn the platter counter clockwise a few times to work the dirt loose. Look at the brush, you should see some dirt or lint on it so carefully remove it and go another round cleaning the record till no more dirt or crud appears on the brush. Since alcohol is the primary ingredient of most record cleaning solutions the record should dry fairly quickly, but do let it air dry before flipping it over to clean the other side or place it back in its sleeve. Before you flip the record over though make sure the surface or platter is clean as the dirty uncleaned side was just there!


Using Homemade Record Cleaning Solutions

Can't find record cleaning supplies in your area? Don't want to spend money? Then try using some household items instead. Use Isopropyl 90% alcohol or higher. Do NOT use rubbing alcohol or witch hazel as they contain additives that can harm your records. Dishwashing liquid without any moisturizers work well such as Joy or Dawn. It cleans dirty records well, but you have to avoid getting it on the label and rinsing all of it off quickly. Try not to get the label wet. If it does get wet then blot it dry immediately. Do NOT rub it. Try not to use tap water to clean your records. Instead use distilled water, which can be easily found in your supermarket or drugstore. The real trick is to properly rinse all this stuff off your vinyl records and get them dry without scratching them.


What NOT To Use Or Do To Your Vinyl Records

Someone once asked on the DiscoMusic.com forums about using lighter fluid to clean records. Do NOT use that on records or baby lotion either. Even if Zippo does remove dirt... one doesn't know the checmical reaction it can have on vinyl records either now or over time. Don't play with fire When it comes to record cleaning stick with the time tested methods such as vacuum record cleaning machines from VPI or Nitty Gritty, using record cleaning brushes like the Hunt or Decca carbon fiber brushes, Discwasher or LAST brand record cleaners.


Wet Playing Your Records

Never "wet play" your vinyl records. Thoroughly clean and dry them before playing."Wet playing" sounds like an ideal solution-at first. In reality the liquid starts to evaporate as the record is played and the needle just starts to dig the junk further into the grooves and now contaminates the entire disc. It clogs up the styli muddying the sound and can cause damage to the styli and cantilever as water seeps into the cracks and erodes the glue that holds it together.

As this crud starts to dry it just makes it more difficult to now properly clean the record. Once a record is "wet played" it needs to be played that way again to sound acceptable.

With thousands of records in our collections the last thing one wants to do is ruin them. Please don't "wet play" a record unless you know that you are going to discard the disc and want to get one last shot at archiving / restoring it to a digital medium.

Record cleaning machines, record carbon fiber cleaning brushes, supplies...

Record sleeves for vinyl records


How To Store and Care For Vinyl Records

Cleaning your vinyl records is only part of the equation. Properly storing and handling those records are just as important so here are some quick tips.



Never touch the record with your fingers as the oil and dirt can transfer to the record.

Resist the temptation to rub dirt off a record by wiping it against your T-shirt or other clothing. Use a record cleaning brush instead like the Hunt or Decca carbon fiber brushes.

After cleaning your vinyl records make sure to put it into a new paper or anti-static plastic inner sleeve as using the old sleeve will just put the old dirt right back. Mobile Fidelity and the Discwasher VPI sleeves are very nice.

Store your record jackets inside heavy gauge plastic outer sleeves. This really helps in reducing the round scuff marks on the outer jacket and keeps it looking like new for years.

Store vinyl records vertically on a shelf like you would a book. Never lay records flat as this will almost certainly cause them to warp.


information found at

http://www.discomusic.com...3_0_7_0_C/






sleeves for your records:

http://www.htfr.com/vinylcare/



and remember look after your records they will give years of enjoyment
[Edited 5/12/07 17:01pm]

yup...get this




Never use rubbing alcohol or water...

A kit like this is needed




Use the suggestions that oldpurple has stated

Oh!!! And one more thing..

Never touch your record needle with your hands when its dusty..

Dip some D4 on the brush and wipe it on the needle...




You should never touch the needle with your fingers

omg! i wiped a couple of records with water!!! wat happens now? are they ruined forever?

funkpill said:

Although I regularly use this system because I am lazy, many audiophiles regard it as the work of the devil. Mostly because dirt builds up on the pad and grinds it back into the records when you "clean" them.

I try to periodically clean my records using the disc doctor system (http://discdoc.com/), which is far superior to D4+.

I really want to buy a vacuum record cleaner, but I have not got around to it and it takes up a fair amount of space (which I can't really afford). A vacuum and disc doctor would be ideal for me.

I also use static free sleeves for all of my records.
[Edited 5/13/07 11:39am]

D4 or if you wanna do it the easy saving money way... "2 parts rubbing alcohol 2 parts water in a spray bottle a lint free cloth... a good slip mat and a good needle.. and always get plastic sleeves for your covers... and no finger prints on your vinyl i treat my vinyl like its gold

tznekbsbfrvr said:

no

as for buying a player, you can pick up a used Technics SL-1200 MK2 on ebay fairly cheap. Although there are better decks, these machines are bulletproof and ubiquitous (and thus easy to find people who can repair it, if need be). If you want a new one, try Musician's Friend. http://www.musiciansfrien...sku=807053
[Edited 5/13/07 12:39pm]

here are a few other turntable resources that i can recommend:

http://www.turntablebasic...index.html

http://store.acousticsoun...ent&id=146

http://www.garage-a-recor.../index.php

Stax said:

so if i bouhgt a disc cleaner and the static free sleeves- they could be played?

tznekbsbfrvr said:

absolutely. you should not clean with pure water, but cleaning them once with water will not ruin them. maybe degrade them slightly, but it's ok.

tznekbsbfrvr said:

where do you live? there is probably a record store near you that sells vinyl. Also, flea markets and garage sales are good sources. I also buy a lot of vinyl on ebay and www.gemm.com.

Stax said:

I live in Miami, Florida. I've never seen music stores.

tznekbsbfrvr said:

http://www.vintagerecords.com/

Stax said:

thanks so much. this place looks great!

IAintTheOne said:

the most important thing imo.

tznekbsbfrvr said:

it does. i'm jealous.

Stax said:

haha- another perk to living in Miami.

tznekbsbfrvr said:

If you want to listen to records casually, every now and then, and don't want to spend a ton of cash, the Technics SL-BD20D turntable is a good value. http://www.smarter.com/tu...-2535.html

Stax said:

thanks- i was looking for a casual record player. its really not for me though, i'm looking for ideas for my mom's b-day in July. need to plan ahead.

tznekbsbfrvr said:

if its for mom, you should get a player on the lines of the Technics SL-BD20D. it is simple to use and take care off. none of the technical adjustments that the SL-1200 requires.

Stax said:

isn't that the same one u just told me abt?

tznekbsbfrvr said:

yes

I like this thread

This is a great resource for finding out record prices...

http://www.goldminemag.com/

I need a vinyl dig