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Cleaning Sleeves
Topic Started: Apr 16 2007, 01:38 PM (457 Views)
Pacey
Admin
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Right, here's something that's been bugging me for a while:

How to clean the rear UNLAMINATED areas of an LP sleeve.

The laminated parts are cleaned easily enough with a damp cloth and a rub, but the age staining and browning on the rear can't be removed. Or can it..? Anyone have any ideas? Other than getting a white coloured pencil of course :D Sometimes light rubbing with a dry cloth can clean some of the marks but then you run the risk of damaging the text...

:blink:
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Mike
Admin
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The back covers are something that is too daunting for me to even try to clean for fear of destroying it.

However, if all covers could be cleaned up and upgraded several times over then the value of the true NM sleeves would surely decrease?
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warmbuddy
Level 2
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I have to agree with Mike here...I think you run the risk of creating more damage to the unlaminated portion of the sleeve.
But, here's another query for you...has anyone attempted to clean the vinyl record with other than a commercially available vinyl record cleaning product. I have been cleaning mine with Dawn liquid dish washing soap, mixing a very, very small quantity with a tub of warm water. Using a soft bristle shaving brush, I then proceed to work the suds and water in a circular motion following the grooves of the LP. I usually run the brush in both directions. I then rinse thoroughly with luke warm water, followed by a complete drying. The results have been very impressive, in most cases improving the grade to the next level. I only do this type of cleaning once. This technique cuts through oily fingerprint residue very nicely...and I have not experienced any adverse affects to the vinyl or the needle.
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muffmasterh
Level 7
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You have to remember to dry the record though....thats very important.

As for unlaminated, well I did have a go at my Green backed Pink Floyd "More" with a Rubber (or Eraser if you are in the States, just to avoid any unpleasant confusion) and it was remarkably successful.

I have not yet had the courage to try this on any white unlaminate but I will give it a go one day thats for sure!

H
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Nowhere Man
Level 2
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Hi,

I've come late to this conversation, (just under a year!), so please forgive me.

Having cleaned your record, how do you dry it? Cloth? Warm Air? I would be afraid of adding surface marks or 'tide' marks.
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Mike
Admin
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When I've cleaned vinyl in the past I've used warm water, a splash of unscented washing up liquid and a bit of elbow grease. I've found that if you want to give the vinyl a decent clean you first use the warm water / WUL on a piece of kitchen towel and coat the surface without getting any near the label. Then leave that for a couple seconds and then use a kitchen towel to wipe this away. Then use warm water with nothing in it to go over the record again to clean off any soap and to take off the grease that the washing up liquid has lifted. Then use a final kitchen towel to wipe over and dry it.

I'm not a fan of these expensive record cleaners. They can leave streaks and in some cases the fluid they provide can damage vinyl. IMO there's nothing better than a little warm water.
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Pacey
Admin
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I'm with Mike on this one, just a bit of water and a soft cloth.. meh! Some people are shocked when you say you just use water and a duster and they have some complicated alcohol combinations and special cloths! But really I've never had any problems with this method.

I would imagine tap water from a soft water area is better than my mineral-encrusted London water though...! :D
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Nowhere Man
Level 2
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Thanks for that. As usual the simplest solution is usually the best. I will have a test on one of my less treasured pieces of vinyl (one of the one's I am too embarrassed to admit I own!).

I have never fancied the idea of using a cleaning machine. It sounds like an accident waiting to happen! :rolleyes:
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Pacey
Admin
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Nah, the only reason for a cleaning machine would really be if you had a large number of discs to clean regularly - dealers etc. When you buy new vinyl you just have to get on top of it and clean them asap before the pile becomes to dauntingly big!

Embarassed to own discs you say? One man's tat is another man's Ken Dodd.... *cough* MIKE *cough*
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Mike
Admin
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*cough* Kate Bush *cough*
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ztox
Level 2
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Might as weigh in late on this.

For paper sleeves and paper album backs? Much of the dark wear (including ring wear) will come off faultlessly with a good art eraser. Didn't use pencil erasers, which dry up and will leave stains, or cheap erasers. The use of bleach to remove ink marks is very difficult to master, but it works. Also, acetone, easily available in pharmacies (chemists) as a nail polish remover. Toxic stuff, so be careful. Anything sticky comes off with kerosene-base solvents--go cheap: use lighter fluid. But not while you're smoking. Permanent markers on high-gloss (un-laminated) album covers (not flat, porous paper) will most often come off with pharmaceutical strength (91%) rubbing alcohol.

Ditto for most label problems, but NEVER use bleach or acetone anywhere near a record. Live with the label damage instead.

Laminated British covers, including the dirty edges of the flip-ups, can be made spotless with alcohol (rub hard!) and shined to perfection, with no ill effects, using certain types of automobile waxes--notably those also mfg'd to remove scratches.

Cleaning records: I would argue that soap simply isn't necessary. If the record is real dirty (not just dusty), with greasy spots or finger prints, again, 91% rubbing alcohol: rub it on with the grooves with a VERY, VERY soft cloth, let it evaporate. Then, warm water applied with a soft cloth to the grooves, buff dry. No damage, no hairlines, nothing but clean. But use cloths (like towels) that are so soft that you'd trust them to a baby's bottom. NOT terrycloth or anything that rough! Most records are just dusty--the water treatment is all that's necessary. Guys, soap is not only unnecessary, it also leaves residue and this residue will find its way to your stylus.

I clean the discs carefully before I play them and after the first play. The second play is usually much improved.

Alcohol, incidentally, was recommended in 1912 by Thomas Edison himself--to clean the surfaces of his laminated 78 rpm Diamond Discs. Just, whatever you do, never EVER use alcohol on standard 78s. EVER.

Sometime, lets talk about removing skips and effectively lessening bad scratches. Easy 99% of the time.

ztox
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Pacey
Admin
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Ahhh man, I know a guy who took pics of what happened when you added various liquids onto vinyl and 78s. The alcohol literally ate away the disc surface!
I've used the rubber trick quite a bit and it works a treat, and crucially it doesn't seem to wear away the paper noticeably at all.
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rockinrobyn
Level 2
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Hi Mike...

Don't be trashin' my girl, Kate! How can we dis someone who can write lyrics like Army Dreamers, The Dreaming, Babushka and Cloudbusting?

My suggestion for disposable vinyl might be anything found in the local thrift shop, like the Bay City Rollers, Hugo Montenegro, New Kids on the Block or the Budapest original cast of Hair!

Hope I don't offend any Hugo Montenegro fans out there!

Rob
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warmbuddy
Level 2
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Quote:
 
Cleaning records: I would argue that soap simply isn't necessary. If the record is real dirty (not just dusty), with greasy spots or finger prints, again, 91% rubbing alcohol: rub it on with the grooves with a VERY, VERY soft cloth, let it evaporate. Then, warm water applied with a soft cloth to the grooves, buff dry. No damage, no hairlines, nothing but clean. But use cloths (like towels) that are so soft that you'd trust them to a baby's bottom. NOT terrycloth or anything that rough! Most records are just dusty--the water treatment is all that's necessary. Guys, soap is not only unnecessary, it also leaves residue and this residue will find its way to your stylus.


Hello ztox...this could be so - I 've seen the argument go both ways on other forums as well - but my own experience seems to show otherwise.

As I noted earlier, I have been cleaning with Dawn liquid dish washing soap, mixing a very small quantity with a tub of warm water and using a soft bristle shaving brush to work the suds and water in a circular motion following the grooves of the LP, and running the brush in both directions. I then rinse thoroughly with luke warm water, followed by a complete drying - I use a hair dryer blowing cool air, although I sometimes have wondered if this is a good idea?

Again, the results have been very pleasing, in many cases improving the grading to the next level. I only do this type of cleaning when I first receive a new purchase. To date, judging only by sound reproduction and unaided visual inspection, I have not experienced any adverse affects to the vinyl or the needle.

However, having said all that, your method obviously provides good results as well and I plan to try it on my newest purchases. Thanks for the advice.

Regards...Mark
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