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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 7:29 pm
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SKcoppertele wrote:
I recently acquired a huge stash of vintage vinyl. A tip for a gig I played. The records seem to be in decent shape. The sleeves/jackets leave something to be desired. These things were kept in a basement for a LONG time. Some appear to have gone through a flood as well. Although there is no visible mold growth, these things SMELL. Any tips on how to get rid of the smell? I'm hoping to be able to do it in batches, doing one at a time isn't going to work with the volume I have. Another question, needle cleaning? The table I'm using is a cheap Audio-Technica AT-LP60 with stock cartridge and needle. Been using the AT6012 cleaning kit every time I pull a record out for the first time, and a knox brush before every play. Ive only had the table for two days now, but Ive already played 9 full albums on it, as well as three singles. I can already see a bit of dirt building up on the stylus, no audio degeneration yet. I understand that eventually I will have to clean this, but how? and when? Also, when should I buy a new needle vs. cleaning it? Thanks for any tips you guys can give. :D

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Hey Kid. Use a light amount of alcohol on the needle. If you can, stay away from Q-Tips, the cotton tends to get fibers stuck to the needle. Nice albums there, by the way. Vinyl can wiped with a soft face towel. 8)

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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 7:39 pm
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SKcoppertele wrote:
Mr. Nylon wrote:
SKcoppertele wrote:
I recently acquired a huge stash of vintage vinyl. A tip for a gig I played. The records seem to be in decent shape. The sleeves/jackets leave something to be desired. These things were kept in a basement for a LONG time. Some appear to have gone through a flood as well. Although there is no visible mold growth, these things SMELL. Any tips on how to get rid of the smell? I'm hoping to be able to do it in batches, doing one at a time isn't going to work with the volume I have. Another question, needle cleaning? The table I'm using is a cheap Audio-Technica AT-LP60 with stock cartridge and needle. Been using the AT6012 cleaning kit every time I pull a record out for the first time, and a knox brush before every play. Ive only had the table for two days now, but Ive already played 9 full albums on it, as well as three singles. I can already see a bit of dirt building up on the stylus, no audio degeneration yet. I understand that eventually I will have to clean this, but how? and when? Also, when should I buy a new needle vs. cleaning it? Thanks for any tips you guys can give. :D

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Hey Kid. Use a light amount of alcohol on the needle. If you can, stay away from Q-Tips, the cotton tends to get fibers stuck to the needle. Nice albums there, by the way. Vinyl can wiped with a soft face towel. 8)

Hey thanks MN. Theres a mountain record in there, not Climbing but another one, immediately thought of you. How should I apply the alcohol if not with cotton?


Use a soft cloth, a CLEAN T-Shirt, or a handkerchief. I picked up a Hofner 500/1. I remembered you liking those.
I do like my Mountain!

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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 11:21 pm
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unfortunately one at a time is the best way to clean those great disks...if it weren't for the paper labels a quicker method could be used...advise you clean them as you listen to them while spinning on your table.
Nice tip by the way; if you could find a youngster maybe they would do it for a few $'s or a twelve pack and a pizza...


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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 3:27 am
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I would think the smell is coming from the album covers, not much you can to except air them out.

I like that Rush, Fly by Night album.

I really do miss album covers, they contained a lot of information and some had great art work.

8)

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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 7:10 pm
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omar59 wrote:
I would think the smell is coming from the album covers, not much you can to except air them out.
8)
That's what I was thinking as well.

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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 10:59 pm
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omar59 wrote:
I really do miss album covers, they contained a lot of information and some had great art work.


+1

And the text was actually large enough to read.

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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 6:02 am
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There was a Milton Glaser's Poster that came with the "Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits" album. And the all the stuff that was in The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper's album. You don't see that anymore.

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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 6:36 am
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Indeed.

I remember The Who's "Live At Leeds" included a bunch of repro artifacts and souvenirs.

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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 8:38 am
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I collect vinyl. I would seal the jackets in a large plastic bag for a couple of days with baking soda, then place them outside in direct sunlight for a day. Make sure not to leave over night so they don't absorb more moisture. Frankly nothing is going to remove the smell completely. Don't store them in a damp environment like a basement.


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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 9:09 am
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I agree.
It was most likely trapped moisture/humidity that got them smelly in the first place.
Some uncooked white rice mixed with the soda might help absorb moisture while you have them in the bag.
You'll want to use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to remove soda and rice dust. A damp cloth would be counterproductive.

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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 1:49 pm
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SKcoppertele wrote:
Minnesotastrats wrote:
I collect vinyl. I would seal the jackets in a large plastic bag for a couple of days with baking soda, then place them outside in direct sunlight for a day. Make sure not to leave over night so they don't absorb more moisture. Frankly nothing is going to remove the smell completely. Don't store them in a damp environment like a basement.

Should that bagvbe clear? They best I have is a big garbage bag. I'd think you wouldn't want a clear bag because the UV exposure may hurt the artwork?

I was thinking along the lines of a big zip lock for the baking soda treatment, but if all you have is a garbage bag then make sure you tie it up with a bag tie of some kind so the baking soda is only absorbing the odor from the LP jackets. I would leave them in there for at least 36-48 hours. then take them out and lay them on a blanket or picnic table or whatever out of the bag. I don't think 4 0r 5 hours would fade them and the UV is what will help kill the smell. might not work. I did this with a book . reduced the smell a lot but still there up close but it has lessened some over time. you can use lighter fluid to remove stickers and won't hurt the vinyl or the label and test jackets/ picture sleeves first but usually can be used on them also. Matte PS are the most sensitive to running be careful with those.


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Post subject: Re: cleaning vinyl?
Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 6:54 pm
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A small amount of baking soda in the bag can't hurt either. Helps to remove odors.

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