I have a number of records from the mid-70's that have a lot of surface noise. I suspect mildew growth on them because they smell pretty musty. Definitely a too-late-now question, but I bought a spin-clean device to hopefully address that and am wondering if the provided cleaning solution will do the job, or if I need to use/concoct something in addition to that.
Or if there are some other options that will (gently) remove the stuff. Or if I'm totally off-base and there's a completely different reason for that surface noise!
It's my bad, I bought them new and didn't store them properly. It's curious that some of my records from that time are very quiet but others, not so much. There's some nice jazz and classical stuff in there so it would be really nice if the records could cleaned be up a bit. If not....well, I'll still listen to them.....
In case anyone's wondering, Those records went un-played for several decades until my recently-revived interest in that material, due to helping a friend get a Goodwill-purchased TT working so he could listen to some Frank Sinatra records he had. It was a Dual 1019 with a Shure cartridge. It actually was in pretty good mechanical shape, just needed a replacement stylus and the CORRECT connections to the cartridge (!). He also needed a phono preamp, and I found one with good reviews on Amazon. I listened to the combo before giving it back to him and realized I'd been missing that sound. It was a Windham Hill Sampler, mosty Ackerman and De Grassi and sounded GREAT. So.....I'm glad I held on to a lot of my vinyl. Sadly, not all of it remains after a couple of moves. But I DID keep my Technics SL-120 TT and Adcom high-output MC cartridge, installed on an Infinity Black Widow tonearm. So I designed/built a preamp and headphone amp, and here I am asking about old, moldy vinyl records.
Thanks!
Mark
Or if there are some other options that will (gently) remove the stuff. Or if I'm totally off-base and there's a completely different reason for that surface noise!
It's my bad, I bought them new and didn't store them properly. It's curious that some of my records from that time are very quiet but others, not so much. There's some nice jazz and classical stuff in there so it would be really nice if the records could cleaned be up a bit. If not....well, I'll still listen to them.....
In case anyone's wondering, Those records went un-played for several decades until my recently-revived interest in that material, due to helping a friend get a Goodwill-purchased TT working so he could listen to some Frank Sinatra records he had. It was a Dual 1019 with a Shure cartridge. It actually was in pretty good mechanical shape, just needed a replacement stylus and the CORRECT connections to the cartridge (!). He also needed a phono preamp, and I found one with good reviews on Amazon. I listened to the combo before giving it back to him and realized I'd been missing that sound. It was a Windham Hill Sampler, mosty Ackerman and De Grassi and sounded GREAT. So.....I'm glad I held on to a lot of my vinyl. Sadly, not all of it remains after a couple of moves. But I DID keep my Technics SL-120 TT and Adcom high-output MC cartridge, installed on an Infinity Black Widow tonearm. So I designed/built a preamp and headphone amp, and here I am asking about old, moldy vinyl records.
Thanks!
Mark
I've read that some records can be permanently damaged by mould. Other than using the usual cleaning solutions, Mobile Fidelity have an enzyme cleaner for this purpose. It's pretty expensive and I've never used it so can't vouch for its effectiveness, but thought you might like to try it.
https://mofi.com/products/mfslpec_plus_enzyme_cleaner
I do wonder if a bleach solution would work, as long as you have the clamp thing that seals off the label (I can't remember if the Spin Clean does). It might be worth trying a bleach solution, followed by a really good rinse then the usual cleaning solution then a BIG rinse off - on some record you don't mind losing - just to test it. However, there may be some reason this shouldn't be done so some research would be needed.
https://mofi.com/products/mfslpec_plus_enzyme_cleaner
I do wonder if a bleach solution would work, as long as you have the clamp thing that seals off the label (I can't remember if the Spin Clean does). It might be worth trying a bleach solution, followed by a really good rinse then the usual cleaning solution then a BIG rinse off - on some record you don't mind losing - just to test it. However, there may be some reason this shouldn't be done so some research would be needed.
Thanks for the information. That enzyme-based stuff IS on the spendy side. I do have some similar-vintage rock & roll albums that are in bad enough shape to serve as guinea pigs for a bleach or peroxide experiment. I discovered that my CSN&Y Deja Vu record lost its jacket somewhere along the way, that one probably needs a good bath anyway.....
The Spin Clean doesn't have a clamp thingie to cover the label. But I do have a 3D printer.....
Fingers crossed regarding permanent damage.
The Spin Clean doesn't have a clamp thingie to cover the label. But I do have a 3D printer.....
Fingers crossed regarding permanent damage.
Moulds generate powerful acids and enzymes that can eat through cellolose and lignin in wood so they can be absorbed by the fungal mycelia - some plastics will indeed be vulnerable - don't know if PVC is one, but PVC insulated wiring tends to survive pretty well in harsh conditions (though that is perhaps less demanding application).
Biological washing powders are probably a cheaper source of enzymes!
You can look up chemical compatibility for plastics readily, for instance https://www.calpaclab.com/pvc-polyvinyl-chloride-chemical-compatibility-chart/
Biological washing powders are probably a cheaper source of enzymes!
You can look up chemical compatibility for plastics readily, for instance https://www.calpaclab.com/pvc-polyvinyl-chloride-chemical-compatibility-chart/
We cultivate Shiitake mushrooms (a.k.a. Lentinus Edodes) on oak logs. There isn't much left of the log after the fungus is done with it so they definitely have some powerful enzymes at their disposal.
That said, there are significant differences between the chemical bonds in PVC and cellulose/lignin. But who knows.....
In my case I suspect that the biggest problem is mold growing on the paper record sleeves. They certainly smell musty!
I just bought a batch of replacement sleeves so any records I clean will get a nice new home, too.
That said, there are significant differences between the chemical bonds in PVC and cellulose/lignin. But who knows.....
In my case I suspect that the biggest problem is mold growing on the paper record sleeves. They certainly smell musty!
I just bought a batch of replacement sleeves so any records I clean will get a nice new home, too.