how to rehab old vinyl records

Wet the sand paper, wet the record. Not absolutely necessary, but you can also add a bit of liquid soap to the sandpaper as a lubricant. Place the record on a hard, flat surface and LIGHTLY sand each side, in the area of the scratches using curving strokes parallel with the grooves.

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What can I do with my old vinyl records?

Getting your album back to it's original state. 1. A clean, but bad, bad record with more clicks and pops than music. 2. 1500 grit or finer wet & dry sand paper. 3. A sink, a towel and a flat, smooth space that can get wet. 4. Not absolutely necessary, but a minimum of a 30x microscope to check your work. 5. Nerve... Absolutely necessary.

How do you fix Warped Vinyl Records?

After your records are clean, be sure and put them back in a nice sleeve and for everyday removal of just surface dust, the Audio Advice Record Brush works great. Just don’t try to clean your records with a cotton shirt or a towel. It might seem soft enough, but it’s really just moving dirt around, and you run the risk of scratching them too.

Do old vinyl records go up in value?

Jun 19, 2014 · They are easy to make by putting an old record on top of a mug in the oven and letting it soften. One caution when doing this: Records become pliable at 150º F, so you should be very careful when you handle your bowl or you could seriously burn your fingers. St. Vincent de Paul in Eugene, OR, makes jewelry from old records. Designs such as wolves, houses and …

What's the best way to clean an old album?

Oct 21, 2021 · If you're in a rush, you can quickly fix a warped vinyl record using an oven. First, place the record between 2 sheets of glass, and heat it in the oven at 175 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes. Then, take the glass and record out of the oven, and place a heavy object on top of the glass until everything is fully cooled.

Can old vinyl records be restored?

It's pretty understandable if these records aren't exactly in great shape. No fear! With some simple restoration and cleaning, vinyl records can easily be brought back to life.Nov 13, 2019

What is the best way to clean old vinyl records?

How to Clean Vinyl RecordsWipe gently. Remove all dust and static using a microfiber cloth, using very little pressure to avoid driving any particles further into the grooves in the vinyl. ... Rinse. ... Apply Simple Green solution. ... Damp-wipe clean. ... Dry. ... Spin and store properly.

Can you remove scratches from vinyl records?

While there is no foolproof way to repair scratches on vinyl, you can try using wood glue to remove dust and even out the surface of your record. Clean your record with a dry brush, liquid cleaning solution, or a toothpick to remove additional dirt and debris.

Can you use wd40 on vinyl records?

WD-40 is a great vinyl record cleaning product. It does not contain any ammonia or alcohol, and it is a volatile solvent. After use, it will remove the dirt or dust, evaporate and leave behind a non-volatile lubricant.

How to store vinyl records?

Cool, dry, and vertical – that’s how to store your records. Excess moisture and heat can harm vinyl, so it’s a good idea to store your records in a dry, temperature-controlled environment. Most of the time, this means keeping them within your primary living space. Attics are a no-go because the summer heat can warp your vinyl.

How to handle a record?

How to handle your records. Don’t touch the grooves! When possible, only touch your records at the edges and on the label. Otherwise, the oils from your hands could get inside the grooves. The more oil that gets in the grooves, the more dust sticks to the playing surface.

What is groove in music?

Grooves are the key to great sound. Record grooves are where your favorite music lives. As your stylus cruises the grooves, it sends those analog signals through the cartridge to your preamp and, finally, your speakers. Grooves are to records what words are to a novel. Just as you can’t tell a great story without compelling language, ...

Can mold grow on vinyl?

Mold won’t grow on vinyl itself , but it can grow on a paper record sleeve and then gunk up your grooves. At best, prolonged exposure to moisture, humidity, and mold will make your records dirty and ruin those great record covers. At worst, it can warp them.

How long does it take for a stylus to wear out?

Keep Your Turntable Tuned Up. A worn out stylus can damage the grooves of your records. It’s a good idea to replace your stylus after 1000-1500 hours of playing time . Also while you might think setting the tracking force really light will prevent wear, it’s actually the opposite.

Can you stack vinyl records vertically?

Stacking records can warp or bend them, nevermind increase the risk of scratching. Record shops don’t display vinyl vertically just for customer convenience. They do it to protect their product. But following the cool-dry-vertical protocol alone won’t keep your records from getting dirty.

Do old LPs sound like old LPs?

Old LPs don’t have to sound like, well… old LPs. If you’ve ever bought a used record that ticked and popped or suffered through crackly tracks on your parents’ old records, you know just how bad dirty or damaged vinyl can sound. But your vinyl doesn’t have to sound like that.

Where can I sell old records?

Many cities have stores that specialize in LP sales, such as Boston ’s In Your Ear or Recycled Records in Reno, NV. You can also sell records online through shops like Hard to Find Records.

Can vinyl records be recycled?

The harmful chemicals that make vinyl records so difficult to recycle can be released into the ground and air over time, so it is important to keep records out of the waste stream. Records can be reused as is or crafted into new products. It is worth noting that records manufactured before the 1950s were made out of shellac, not vinyl.

Is vinyl music good?

While purists argue that it is still the best audio quality to hear the musicians you like, it certainly is not the only option anymore.

How to fix warped vinyl record?

First, place the record between 2 sheets of glass, and heat it in the oven at 175 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 minutes. Then, take the glass and record out of the oven, and place a heavy object on top of the glass until everything is fully cooled.

Why are vinyl records warped?

Whether they were exposed to UV radiation, excessive heat, or simple storage mistakes, it’s possible for your vinyl records to become warped. Depending on the severity of the warp, there are a few methods you can use to try and repair the damage.

How to make a record of a record?

1. Gather two large, heavy objects. These objects need to be wide enough to cover the entirety of the record. They need to be heavy enough to put pressure on the record without warping it further. Two large books are best for this purpose.

How to warp a record?

Place the warped record between the objects. Put the first object on a flat surface, such as a table. Put the record atop the object, followed by your second heavy object. Make sure the objects cover as much of the record as possible; if any part sticks out, they may be warped.

How long to cook a record in the oven?

Preheat the oven to about 175 °F (79 °C) and place the record inside. Depending on your oven, preheating should take between 10-15 minutes. Once the oven has reached the right temperature, carefully slide the record and glass combination onto the oven rack.

How to get glass out of oven?

Don’t push the glass too far into the oven; this will make it easier to retrieve later. Make sure the glass is at room temperature before putting it in the oven, otherwise it might shatter. Use oven mitts to avoid possible burns. ...

How to keep your records from warping?

1. Store your records away from direct sunlight. Leaving them in sunlight or heat can cause warping. Keep the records away from windows and heating. You’ll also want to make sure you don’t leave your records in a vehicle on a hot day. ...

When were vinyl records invented?

Vinyl records were created decades ago, with the first developed around the time of 1890, according to 78RPM. Records were the only way to listen to recorded music until cassette tapes became available. Early vinyl records spun at an rpm speed of 78 until 1949 when 45 and 33 rpm's were developed. There are numerous ways of disposing ...

Who is Constance Barker?

Constance Barker, located in the hills of southern Ohio, is the owner and writer of several financial, credit report and travel websites. She started writing in 1999 for private clients and began creating website content in 2004.

What is a black vinyl record?

On rare occasions, a special process is used to create a picture disc, which has a photograph or other graphics actually embedded in the record’s playing surface. With few exceptions, colored vinyl and picture disc pressings are limited editions, and are usually far harder to find than their black vinyl counterparts.

What factors determine the value of a vinyl record?

Because the condition of a record is held to be important by collectors , the ideal example of a record to own, in the eyes of many collectors, would be one that has never been played at all.

What is a pre-production record?

While the majority of records are standard issues that were manufactured with the intention that they be sold in stores, some are pre-production versions that were made for in-house use at the record companies prior to making the stock pressings .

How old are the 1950s easy listening records?

There are many records in the easy listening genre from the 1950s, such as those by Ray Conniff or Percy Faith, that are now some 60 years old, but they still sell for only a couple of dollars in most used records stores, provided they bother to offer them for sale at all.

When were picture discs popular?

In the late 1970s, picture discs were often pressed as promotional items and became quite popular among collectors. Most of these were pressed in quantities of only a few hundred copies. More often, colored vinyl and picture disc records are issued as limited edition pressings, created to spur interest among buyers.

Is acetate rare?

As acetates are cut one at a time, they are understandably rare, and command a high value in the market place as they are both rare and unusual. Test pressings are a bit more common than acetates, and are made to test stampers prior to mass produced production runs.

Is vinyl record worth it?

This factor is pretty straightforward when it comes to vinyl records value; records that sold well and are quite common are going to be less valuable than records that sold poorly or are hard to find. A lot of albums sold in the 1970s and early 1980s sold millions of copies when new, and as such, it isn’t difficult to find copies in nice, playable condition.

What is discogs music?

Discogs. Discogs is an online music marketplace and community started in 2000. You can use it to sell — or to buy — music in several formats. You can sell vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, cassette tapes and more on Discogs. To sell on Discogs, you need a valid PayPal account.

Can you scratch vinyl?

You had to be extra careful not to scratch the vinyl as you used it. A scratch made it certain the music would skip over parts as it played. These days vinyl records have been largely replaced by CDs and cloud music such as Spotify. However, vinyl records still sell enjoy quite a bit of popularity.

How to connect old gear to computer?

There are two ways to connect older gear to a computer. 1. A “Y” Cable. The easiest way to connect your old gear to a computer is using a standard “Y” audio cable . The cable terminates to a 3.5mm audio plug on one end, and a pair of RCA jacks on the other end, which forms a Y shape.

What is an ADC on a turntable?

An ADC is purpose-built to convert analog sounds into a digital file, so your recordings will sound a lot better.

What is the value of a vinyl record?

Depending on when it was released, the mono version might be worth more or less than the stereo version; and the quadrophonic version is almost always worth more than the stereo version. Check out this in-depth article on vinyl record formats and how they affect value. You should also know whether you have 33 RPM LP (Long Play), 78 RPM, or 45 RPM records.

What to do if you have a large collection of records?

If it’s determined your records are valuable, consider purchasing insurance. If you have a large collection, you should have it appraised for insurance purposes whether you are in the market to sell it or not. The expense to add the insurance to your existing homeowner’s or renter’s policy is minimal, and you could lose a lot of money if you do not insure your records. “If your records are lost or stolen it can be tough to get full value from the insurance company if you can’t prove what they’re worth,” says Marshall. “I’ve done several appraisals for insurance companies, and usually, without knowing condition and whether the records are originals or reissues, I have to take an average replacement value and that may mean the claimant is not getting full value.”

What is a promo copy?

Promo copies were released exclusively to radio stations and were not intended for public issue. They typically bear some variation of the text “Promotional copy, not for resale.” Other copies weren’t released to anyone: they were acetates and test pressings, and if you manage to have one it could be valuable.

When were shellac records made?

Shellac records were primarily produced between 1896 and 1950. Most shellac records were pressed in the 78 RPM format.

Can you sell vinyl records?

Once you know how much your records are worth, you’re ready to sell. You can sell vinyl records directly to collectors or to a store. Selling directly to collectors will typically net the most money, though it can take longer to sell.

What is discogs.com?

Discogs.com Discogs is one of the most popular sites for buying and selling records online. Users contribute to a detailed record database, and you can add and track your personal collection. To sell your vinyl records, create a listing and add photos and videos. You can have the buyer pay for shipping.

Does autographing a record increase the value of the record?

If you have a record autographed by the artist – and can prove it – it can significantly increase the value of the record. In fact, the autograph might be more valuable than the record itself.