Handbook for Sound Engineers

Analog Disc Playback 1037

but it contaminates the stylus tip to the extent that it is

no longer able to stay in the groove. Accumulation of

the cleaning or antistatic substance on the stylus tip also

increases its dynamic tip mass, interfering with tracking

of high-frequency modulation. Consequently, cleaning

the cartridge stylus becomes as important if not more

important than cleaning records.

27.9.3 Record Storage

The worst enemies of records are dust, heat, and

mildew. To protect records from contamination they

should be kept covered in their sleeves. Sleeves should

be static free if possible. Records should be stored either

vertically or horizontally (freshly pressed LPs are

stacked one on top of each other to prevent warpage). If

stacking horizontally, sizes should not be intermixed,

and the stacks should be neat and not too high. If stored

vertically the records should not be loose and should not

be leaning; this will introduce warpage. Record cleaners

or preservatives should not be applied prior to storage

because there is a good chance of mildew forming on

the records if they are stored damp.

27.9.4 Cleaning Records

Warning: Old 78 rpm records should never be washed

with solutions containing alcohol or other chemicals

that dissolve shellac, the major binding ingredient in the

record material. Vinyl LP records are much more for-

giving and can be cleaned with alcohol solvents. The

safest and most effective cleaning solvents are simple

household liquid soaps that can do the job well if certain

precautions are followed.

Records should not be washed unless necessary. Dry

clean them first with a soft brush or lint free velvet

cloth. If the record must be washed, use distilled water;

never use hot water or water containing dissolved

minerals. Record labels should be protected by placing

a piece of thin plastic over the labels. Use a soft camel

hair brush or piece of moistened velvet with a couple of

drops of liquid detergent or shampoo applied to clean

the grooves in a circular motion. Rinse thoroughly with

distilled water, and then wipe with a clean lint free

cloth. The record can be blow dried with a hand dryer

set to the cool position (never hot). Most of the dirt in

the groove is dust attracted by the static charges that

exist on the record surface. Washing or rinsing the

record surface dissipates these electrical charges,

allowing the dust to float away.

Turntable mats are the greatest contributors of dust

contamination because turntables are left to stand open

for prolonged periods of time, accumulating dust on the

mat. When clean records are placed on the mat, the

underside of the disc picks up most of the dust off the

mat. It is important for the mat to be cleaned, even

washed.

Vinyl records (and CDs) are sensitive to heat. When

the record is pressed under very high pressure, vinyl is

flattened into a thin plastic disc that is forced to cool

down under pressure until the vinyl is no longer pliable.

Then the disc is cooled down further to room tempera-

ture. The forces applied to the plastic during stamping

remain in the record. If the record is exposed to elevated

temperatures again, the forces retained within the mate-

rial will be released and the disc will warp. Once this

happens, the disc is destroyed. Leaving the disc in a

closed car or on a window sill on a sunny day will

accomplish this.

Figure 27-31. VPI HW-16.5 basic record cleaner machine.
Courtesy VPI Industries.

Figure 27-32. VPI HW-27 Typhoon Record Cleaning

Machine. Courtesy VPI Industries.