corbet Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I take pride in my record collection and try and keep them in the best shape. Whenever I receive a new record in the mail I make sure to clean it record cleaning solution, wipe it down with water, and dry it with a 100% cotton rag. One thing I've noticed with alot of brand new SEALED records is after they are cleaned, at certain angles, I can sometimes find scratches. I was just wondering if this is common with new records that happen when a record is made? Am I doing something wrong when cleaning my records? I just wanna make sure I keep my records as scratch free as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counterfiction Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 it will happen. it's not uncommon to find circular swirl scratches from the record rubbing up against the paper sleeve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riddle350 Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 I have some records like this. My loved ones-build and burn looks pretty bad right out of the jacket but I havn't had any problems with play back on any of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavyheavylowlow Posted March 28, 2008 Share Posted March 28, 2008 My daughters hell songs has got a real nasty scratch in it, like someone ran a knife across it. That was supposedly brand new, Hydra head won't do anything about it so I sent them an email calling them silly metal nerds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thischarmingham Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 What you have are paper scuffs and they aren't any big deal at all and a lot of records will come like this...especially if you mail order. Also there is no reason in the world to clean a new record like that. You're more likely to damage it than you are to clean some sort of invisible dirt or small amount of paper or whatever off of it. These are things that are meant to be played and enjoyed. Take care of them but don't kill yourself with stuff like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcm1610 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 My HWM - Til the Wheels Fall Off is scuffed beyond belief. I haven't cleaned it yet, so I'm hoping it'll be ok, but boy, it looks bad. Only the C/D disc is though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SecretAgentP Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Some of mine seem to have some light scuffs when I first get them, but it doesn't affect the sound at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thestigmachine Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 I got a sealed copy of Horace Pinker's "Pop Culture Failure" in the mail not too long ago, and it was scratched up pretty badly and skipping on several of the songs. I just found it really odd that a new and SEALED copy would be in such bad shape... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbet Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 What you have are paper scuffs and they aren't any big deal at all and a lot of records will come like this...especially if you mail order. Also there is no reason in the world to clean a new record like that. You're more likely to damage it than you are to clean some sort of invisible dirt or small amount of paper or whatever off of it. These are things that are meant to be played and enjoyed. Take care of them but don't kill yourself with stuff like that. I read in some other threads that there is usually dust and debris on the record from when they are made/etched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willbratt Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 That dust can easily be cleaned off with an anti-static brush on the first spin. I see no need to bust out the haz-mat suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aws Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 A few of my Goddammit Redux's were scratched pretty bad but they play fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xjustinxschwierx Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 I got a sealed copy of Horace Pinker's "Pop Culture Failure" in the mail not too long ago, and it was scratched up pretty badly and skipping on several of the songs. I just found it really odd that a new and SEALED copy would be in such bad shape... where did you order this from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salparadise Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 That dust can easily be cleaned off with an anti-static brush on the first spin. I see no need to bust out the haz-mat suit. i mean, if you're concerned, blow lightly. I think that the Rega cleaning instructions hold some weight in this argument. I mean as far as the part explaining that some dust is normal but it will go away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corbet Posted March 29, 2008 Author Share Posted March 29, 2008 The cleaning solution I am using is a 4:1 rubbing alcohol solution with 7-8 drops of laundry detergent (no additives, fragrance free). I found this solution from a DIY record cleaning machine site that had a quote on some type of record book. They also recommended some type of wetting agent to clean the grooves as deep as possible but I don't have access to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salparadise Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 i don't know what to tell you. call danny tanner, i bet he's got an answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thischarmingham Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 To each his own...but I think some people are treating their records like babies made of glass and it's really unnecessary. Unless you have a stereo system that cost you more than a college education you don't need 3 kinds of cleaners and all that to get decent sound out of it. All your efforts seriously won't be counting for much if you don't have the system to back it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momentumlost Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 I agree with the above...seriously, wetting agent? If you're really worried just use an anti static brush on the 1st spin and you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest genericinsight Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 yeah I've been finding this a lot lately with a bunch of records I just have gotten via mailorder, lots of scratches even before they're played. I was particularly worried when I found one on my Murder By Death "Red of Tooth and Claw" LP yesterday (esp since I've only played it once since I got it) but it sounded fine and didn't skip or anything during playback. Ditto for a couple other records I've just gotten brand new and found some scuff marks upon closely examining. I also agree - a plain dry cloth and/or anti-static brush usually does the trick just fine, no need to go crazy with cleaning solutions and whatnot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markalark17 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 I've noticed that with a lot of my black vinyl (almost all the imports, but also some of the Fat Wreck stuff) that they have a lot of surface marks, even right after I take off the shrink. Anyone know why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thischarmingham Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 It's because the vinyl is able to shift around inside the paper sleeve. It causes minor wear most commonly called "paper scuffs" these are not scratches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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