subject: Caring For Rare Records [print this page] Most collectors of vinyl records collect them for one of two reasons. Either they enjoy the artwork of the album covers, or they enjoy listening to the recordings.
If you purchase old records because of the artwork that surrounds them, you can buy specialty frames which will hold your record album safely under glass and protect the artwork. However, if you bought the rare records because you enjoy listening to them, you should follow these steps to ensure their safety.
First, you should only clean your old records with an appropriate cleaning fluid and cleaning tool. Water and a paper towel are right out! The wood fibres in the paper towel can scratch the rare vinyl and cause permanent damage.
Instead, for a light cleaning to remove dust, hold the record by the edge and wipe the surface of the record with a damp anti-static cloth. Keep the cloth in an air-tight package between uses, and discard when it dries out. For a more thorough cleaning, use a cleaning solution that is no more than 50% isopropyl or denatured alcohol mixed with distilled water. Never apply alcohol directly to your rare vinyl! If the record needs an even stronger cleaning, you can add a few drops of baby shampoo or gentle dish soap. Moisten a lint-free cloth with your cleaning solution, hold the record by the edge, and wipe the surface of the record gently with a circular motion, in the same direction as the grooves. Regularly rinse and wring out the cleaning cloth as it picks up dirt, so that you do not drag particles of dirt across the surface of your rare records.
Once it has been cleaned, you can pat the surface of the record with another lint-free cloth to dry it. It is possible to use paper towels at this stage, but still not recommended, because it is too easy to accidentally rub the surface of the record while patting.
After the record has been cleaned and dried, you should store it in a paper protective sleeve. Do not use plastic, as this can cause damage to the vinyl. Plain white paper replacement sleeves are available online. Insert the sleeved record into the cardboard cover, to minimise future dust and dirt that can get onto your rare records.
Once your record is sleeved and covered, it should be stored upright, on the edge. Vinyl records will warp if they are stored flat or on an angle. Also, they should not be pressed too tightly together, as this can cause ring wear on the cover and sleeve, and a wear pattern in the shape of the record. Ideally, you should be able to insert or remove a record from between two other records in storage without having to move the surrounding records.
Store your rare vinyl records out of direct sunlight, and away from sources of heat which can warp the records. Also, avoid damp or moisture, as this can lead to mould in the cardboard jacket, paper sleeve, or paper label, and even inside the grooves of the record itself! It can also cause water stains on the cover.
