Dirty Records

[Ascoyne D'Ascoyne]

I wonder if anyone else on this forum searches charity shops for rare vinyl as I often do. Most of the records I find are usually in a very mucky (not necessarily scratched) state and I would welcome any tips from others on how best to clean them. A friend of mine uses a method of cleaning which involves washing discs in warm washing-up liquid, drying them and then applying lighter fluid to the surfaces and wiping away with a soft cloth. The results, I have to say, are quite impressive but I do wonder if this method might, in the long term, have damaging effects on the vinyl.

[Steve Crook]

Originally Posted by Ascoyne D'Ascoyne I wonder if anyone else on this forum searches charity shops for rare vinyl as I often do. Most of the records I find are usually in a very mucky (not necessarily scratched) state and I would welcome any tips from others on how best to clean them. A friend of mine uses a method of cleaning which involves washing discs in warm washing-up liquid, drying them and then applying lighter fluid to the surfaces and wiping away with a soft cloth. The results, I have to say, are quite impressive but I do wonder if this method might, in the long term, have damaging effects on the vinyl.

You're not supposed to set fire to the lighter fluid!

Steve

[Ascoyne D'Ascoyne]

Originally Posted by Steve Crook You're not supposed to set fire to the lighter fluid! Steve

Why not It's a method that works perfectly when I burn CDs

[bloodworm]

Originally Posted by Ascoyne D'Ascoyne I wonder if anyone else on this forum searches charity shops for rare vinyl as I often do. Most of the records I find are usually in a very mucky (not necessarily scratched) state and I would welcome any tips from others on how best to clean them. A friend of mine uses a method of cleaning which involves washing discs in warm washing-up liquid, drying them and then applying lighter fluid to the surfaces and wiping away with a soft cloth. The results, I have to say, are quite impressive but I do wonder if this method might, in the long term, have damaging effects on the vinyl.

The warm water wash with a clean water rinse should be ok but to get the best of the disc use an analoguge - digital writing programme to put the content onto a cd. I use Steinberg Clean version 5, which gives you the opportunity to remove hiss, rumble and scratch noise with great results.

C/U The Worm

[sheriff_bart]

i have a dirty record in my collection




wonder what happened to him

[lordtednfs]

Derek 'Blaster' Bates


The man who turned demolition into entertainment

Phil McIntyre
Tuesday September 26, 2006
The Guardian


Derek 'Blaster' Bates, who has died aged 83, was a demolition expert, stunt rider and raconteur. At 6ft 4ins, he bore a striking resemblance to John Wayne, and lived his life as close to the screen adventures of the film star as he could.
Born in Cheshire, Bates served an apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce in Crewe. This was interrupted by the second world war, during which he joined the RAF, completing his training at Guinea Fowl school, in what was then Rhodesia. He saw active service flying Halifax bombers, and at the end of the war took an opportunity with the RAF to specialise in bomb disposal. This stimulated an interest in the use of explosives and demolition which led to a career spanning 40 years.


Article continues

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On leaving the RAF, Bates started his own demolition business in Cheshire, and soon became recognised as a leading exponent of high-stack chimney demolition. He changed the landscape of northern England by singlehandedly demolishing more than 500 chimney stacks, 54 in St Helens alone - and, in the process, earned the nickname by which he liked to be known.
His expertise became known worldwide. Among the projects he was involved with was the building of the M6 motorway, blasting through rock during the harsh winter of 1963, and work on the Oulton Park racing circuit. He called part of the track Knicker Brook after disturbing a semi-naked courting couple who fled one of his explosions.

Bates's experiences, combined with his vibrant personality, quick wit and engaging nature, led to his second career, as a raconteur. As his fame spread, he was invited on to television chat shows, was offered a record contract and did one-man shows across the UK. He produced eight records, winning a gold disc for Laughter With a Bang. He continued to talk to theatre audiences into his late 70s.

Riding his Norton motorcycle, Bates took part in scrambling and hill climb events, eventually becoming the star of a "wall of death" stunt team performing daredevil acts at fetes and carnivals. He played rugby union for Cheshire constabulary until he was 45, founded the Hydra and Full Bore Sporting Rifle Club and was its lifelong president, and won many trophies for his skill at clay pigeon shooting. He was well known for his charity work, predominantly with disabled children, and was proud to be a special constable in Cheshire from 1968 to 1980.

Bates's main interests were shooting and fishing, and he was at his happiest enjoying these pursuits in Scotland and Germany, with friends and family. In his 70s, he contracted diabetes; in the last three years his condition deteriorated, but he bore his disability with his usual sense of humour. He is survived by his wife Maud, whom he married in 1946, their son and three daughters.

· Derek McIntosh Bates, demolition expert, stunt man and raconteur, born February 5 1923; died September 1 2006

[Focus 2]

I've heard of the methods above which seems to work for some but not for me.

The method I adopt, depending how dirty the record is, to use both furniture polish, wipe around then apply WD40 on some tissue then wipe around. A stylus should be kept for playing such records cleaned this way, (and no doubt other ways),as muck within the grooves builds up on the stylus as the imbedded muck is cleaned out. Another clean and all should be well.

On no account attempt to play a dirty record prior to cleaning. I experimented once doing this, playing part of a record before and after cleaning. The record suffers from permanant damage in the initially unplayed area. Alcohol is another no no as this is inclined to actually burn the vinyl.

Many records in mint condition (even unplayed) often have a tough "film" on the playing surface. Like a dirty record this can damage a stylus beyond repair. I use a smear of polish and/or WD40 on a tissue, wipe around then play until the surface is smooth.

No doubt some will throw their hands up in horror at my suggestions and should be undertaken at one's own risk! If in doubt try on a record with not much value.

[batman]

I know this might sound odd ... but I used to use the cleaner I had for my spectacles/glasses. That used to work a treat if applied carefully.

Bats.

[Lord Brett]

Has anyone tried one of those record decks you can get for about £100 which links directly to a computer so you can transfer to a digital format? I was thinking of getting one and wondered if they were any cop.

[orpheum]

I still have a felt brush which i bought at i think HMV many years ago which you brush over the surface to remove dust etc.

[lordtednfs]

I bought one at Richer Sounds when I was home last and it's excellent. Transfered all my vinyl to pc, converted into mp3 and will save the collection for my kids so that in 50 years time they can put it on ebay for silly money. Lots of punk from early days, reggae, 12 inch singles, disco, pop and the like. And the good thing with the software it will get rid of all the ugly hiss at the begining. A bargain I think.

__________________
Hooked off the line

[essaljay]

Going back a few years now but I used to work in the studio that produced the early Ronco and K-Tel compilation albums. On a given day the guy from one of these companies turned up with reels of tape and album-tracks for subsequent transfer to 1-inch master tape. The method we used then was to wash the disc in warm water with a very mild detergent and prolonged rinsing. We found this gave an acceptable result but we only needed it for one take so I have no idea if it had any long-term effects.

[Lord Brett]

Originally Posted by lordtednfs I bought one at Richer Sounds when I was home last and it's excellent. Transfered all my vinyl to pc, converted into mp3 and will save the collection for my kids so that in 50 years time they can put it on ebay for silly money. Lots of punk from early days, reggae, 12 inch singles, disco, pop and the like. And the good thing with the software it will get rid of all the ugly hiss at the begining. A bargain I think.

Thanks, I think that might be sold to the man with too many DVDs and a growing overdraft!

The latest thing, I noticed from the classified ads in this Saturday's Independent, is sort of a little music centre with a USB port alowing you to download your vinyl directly to an mp3 player. I like the idea of removing a computer from the equasion, as mine runs slowly enough without adding further software. Costs about £130.

[Moor Larkin]

Originally Posted by orpheum I still have a felt brush which i bought at i think HMV many years ago which you brush over the surface to remove dust etc.

Yep! Me too.

Mine is/was attached to an oblong container thingummy.

Back in the day you could buy special 'anti-static' liquid, which you would fill the oblong thingummy with. The assumption was that the mysterious liquid would leach into the felt and wipe away not only moving dirt but static dirt too!!

More likely it probably simply evaporated rapidly, requiring me to purchase more of the linctus. Needless to say, when I bothered at all, I found a homeopathically dilute solution of fairy liquid seemed to have exactly the same effect........

[batman]

I just found this ....

How to Clean a Vinyl Record | eHow.com

Bats.