Have you found some Fleetwood Mac records at a garage sale or thrift store or you have found some vinyl records that have been in your store for multiple generations. In such cases, these records are likely to experience wear and tear over the years. No matter how careful a music enthusiast is, their records are bound to get a few scratches at one point or the other.
Damaged vinyl records are likely to emit subpar sound quality and can even cause the tracks to skip. To improve your listening experience and restore the condition of your beloved records few points need to be considered.
Repairing a Warped Record
Improper storage or excessive heat can cause your vinyl to warp and become unusable. Here’s how to repair this kind of damage:
- Purchase two sheets of flat overproof glass. They should be big enough to cover a 12” record but small enough to fit into your oven.
- Turn your oven on to the lowest heat possible (no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Carefully sandwich your vinyl in between the two sheets of glass.
- Place your creation into the oven for no more than ten minutes.
- Take it out and remove your vinyl from in between the pieces of glass.
- Place the record on a flat surface and set a book or another heavy object on top of it.
- Leave it to cool in this position for at least an hour. Remove the object and inspect it.
Be aware that this process may cause further damage if you don’t follow these instructions carefully.
Repairing a Scratched Record
If scratches are your main concern, here’s how you can repair them using sandpaper:
- Gently wash your vinyl with water to remove any obvious debris.
- Grab a piece of 1500 grit sandpaper and wet it. Optionally, you can use a small amount of liquid soap as a lubricant.
- Wet your vinyl as well and place it on a hard, flat surface.
- Lightly sand each side of the vinyl where there are scratches. Some people prefer to sand the entire record so it’s left with a uniform look. As you sand, use curving strokes that run parallel with your vinyl’s groves.
How to Take Care of Your Vinyl Records Once They are Restored
To keep your records in good shape after their restoration one must follow some practices. Static electricity and grease from hands are the main causes of record damage and to further prevent your records from damage, make sure to clean them regularly. You can do it with a record cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth. Such items often can come at a huge price, so it may be realistic to clean your vinyl records by hands whenever you are :
- Adding a new record to the collection.
- See visible contamination.
- Notice an abnormal amount of hissing or crackling during the use
Whether you’re looking to resell them eventually or enjoy them yourself for the next twenty years, these practices will keep your vinyl records in perfect condition.
