posted on June 23, 2003 10:34:15 AM new
STOP
Do not use solvents.
I know that methylated spirits for example is great for turning old 78 records in a nice black sludge which can be mixed with shellac for use in black Japanning or ebonising.
Antique record cleaners, were a small firm pad covered with a velvet like material which was used to slowly and softly wipe over the record in a circular motion, following the grooves, to remove dust etc.
posted on June 23, 2003 10:36:27 AM new
If it's just dust then a can of compressed air would probably be best (find it in the computer section.)
They make kits for cleaning vinyl records but you'd probably have to search pretty hard. I did find a few pages here (beware popops) and here that offer advice, but I can't attest to the veracity of either one. Good luck!
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We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.
------------The Talmud
[ edited by msincognito on Jun 23, 2003 10:37 AM ]
posted on June 23, 2003 10:50:54 AM new
I had a couple hundred to clean that were really grimey and could not mess around with special brushes and cleaning fluid that came in a half ounce bottle like eye drops.
I would put each record in the bottom of the laundry tub on a folded over towel - squirt a few drops of palmolive dish soap on a nice plush wash cloth and swish it around in a circle following the grooves. After cleaning each side I'd rinse the cloth out carefully to get rid of any abrasive dust and rinse the record off. Since our tap water has some minerals in it that could leave some residue in the grooves I rinsed each side off with distilled water and let them air dry in a rubber coated dish rack. They looked good and my fussy wife swears they sound just fine. I had one label run a bit and one plain fall off I patted dry and glued back on.
I think the idea it takes some high tech expensive stuff to clean them is an scare tactic to sell stuff. If you want there is always somebody to sell you 'special' cleaner for leather/brass/stainless/glass/plastic
