well, in the continuing saga of vinyl i have managed to acquire about 400 classical LP's issued by CBS in the 1970's and early 1980's --
some were stored "poorly" -- and have a fungus which those of you who have used and stored 35mm slides will be aware of --
any suggestions for removal --
some were stored "poorly" -- and have a fungus which those of you who have used and stored 35mm slides will be aware of --
any suggestions for removal --
Nevr witnessed this fungus before. What about soaking them in warm water then wiping it off? Not too warm tho, dont wanna melt them!! You can buy anti fungus bathroom cleaner, its safe with bathroom plastics so i imagine it would be with records. I would recomend that whatever you do you play them on a rubish turntable first incase there is still microscopic fungus particles in the groove.
Hmmm. If you have acquired 400 LPs you can justify (and need) a record cleaning machine. My Keith Monks machine uses a 50:50 mix of distilled water and industrial methylated spirits (NOT the stuff with the purple dye). I had one LP with fungus; the RCM cleaned it beautifully. If you do a search, you will find various plans for making RCMs, although I believe there are some new ones available at reasonable prices. Essentially, it's only a turntable equipped with a vacuum cleaner and a nice brush.
Pressure washer?
Has anyone used a high pressure washer (one of those better domestic types with 2000-2500 PSI available) on plain but finely filtered tapwater, aimed at a dirty LP placed on a cheap turntable outdoors just there to spin the disc? You would best keep the spray off the center label but you could really get deep grit completely out'a the grooves and no alcohol to dry the natural oils of the vinyl which are likely helpful if left there for record longevity. I'm thinking a close 3" attack at a 45 degree angle to the record surface in the direction inline of the groove rotation.
I've been meaning to ty this and if it works, clean a whole lot of LP's at the same time. Have to wait for a warm summer day though when I'm not busy trying to get something more urgent done.
Has anyone used a high pressure washer (one of those better domestic types with 2000-2500 PSI available) on plain but finely filtered tapwater, aimed at a dirty LP placed on a cheap turntable outdoors just there to spin the disc? You would best keep the spray off the center label but you could really get deep grit completely out'a the grooves and no alcohol to dry the natural oils of the vinyl which are likely helpful if left there for record longevity. I'm thinking a close 3" attack at a 45 degree angle to the record surface in the direction inline of the groove rotation.
I've been meaning to ty this and if it works, clean a whole lot of LP's at the same time. Have to wait for a warm summer day though when I'm not busy trying to get something more urgent done.
I think you would still end up with the funny dried up water spots (like on photo film developed without wetting agent), perhaps add a wetting agent to your mix.
Also still not sure you will get everything out the grooves and what remais with water is like cement at the bottom of the groove...
Best use an RCM. KABUSA sell a Nitty Griity Sans Vacuum you hook up to your normal vac for about USD170 I think. The NG machines work OK but are hard work. A proper automatic RCM can can be had from Moth as a Kit saving some shekels...
Also still not sure you will get everything out the grooves and what remais with water is like cement at the bottom of the groove...
Best use an RCM. KABUSA sell a Nitty Griity Sans Vacuum you hook up to your normal vac for about USD170 I think. The NG machines work OK but are hard work. A proper automatic RCM can can be had from Moth as a Kit saving some shekels...
btw, last night I listened to Lenny Bernstein's rendition of Beethoven's 9th Symphony -- no mold on this one -- very quiet -- many of the records have never been opened.
I wouldn't use a pressure washer on any LP I valued, considering what it can do to plastic and house paints I would assume it could do quite a lot of permanent damage to the relatively soft vinyl of an LP.
My few experiments with pressure washers in the past indicate that they are anything but gentle with the things they are washing. 😀
My few experiments with pressure washers in the past indicate that they are anything but gentle with the things they are washing. 😀
there ain't no easy way to say this, but,
a record cleaning machine is whats needed here. Beg, borrow or.. one, or go make your own as I did.
Cleaning solution 75% ro filtered water 25% high grade filtered isopropanol (aka propan-2-ol aka isopropyl alcohol) rinse aid at a rate of about 15mL per litre
I've tried a few of the methods out there and the wet wash/vacuum is one that gives you the silence between tracks, the open midrange and clarity vinyl deserves.
The word on the ground here is that the VPI is the best bang for buck
Fran
a record cleaning machine is whats needed here. Beg, borrow or.. one, or go make your own as I did.
Cleaning solution 75% ro filtered water 25% high grade filtered isopropanol (aka propan-2-ol aka isopropyl alcohol) rinse aid at a rate of about 15mL per litre
I've tried a few of the methods out there and the wet wash/vacuum is one that gives you the silence between tracks, the open midrange and clarity vinyl deserves.
The word on the ground here is that the VPI is the best bang for buck
Fran
I use enzymes to clean my moldy records. You can buy Vinyl Zime or do what I do - get some liquid enzymes from a janitorial supply store. I spray the enzymes, brush them in and let the record sit for a bit before proceeding with my usual cleaning regimen (homebrew tergitol solution followed by distilled water rinse- all vacuumed dry by an ancient Nitty Gritty).
Cody
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