What Causes Vinyl Record Damage? Tips to Prevent Further Ruin?

What Causes Vinyl Record Damage? Tips to Prevent Further Ruin?

Freshened-up Guide for Vinyl Record Care

Store your cherished vinyl records right to keep them sounding fab for ages! We'll delve into a handful of things to avoid, so your favorite tunes last a lifetime...

1. Tread Lightly on Scratches

Minimize scratches by being mindful while handling your records. Scratches can happen easily due to mishandling or improper storage.

Records can be vulnerable to nicks and deep grooves caused by rough handling or stacking without proper inner and outer sleeves. Over time, even slight friction between records or a damaged stylus can create scratches during playback.

In case you're looking for protective sleeves, consider our durable polythene archival inner sleeves (available here) as a wise investment.

2. Brace for Heat and Sunlight

Avoid exposing your records to high temperatures and prolonged direct sunlight, as they tend to warp, distort, or get damaged. Vinyl isn’t fond of heat, and it can warp when subjected to temperatures it shouldn't endure. Sunlight, when intense and prolonged, can speed up the warping process. This heat can soften the vinyl, causing it to alter, deforming the flat surface required for seamless playback.

Warped records can make your player's stylus skip, jump, or worst-case scenario, get stuck in certain grooves, ruining your listening experience and potentially damaging the stylus or cartridge.

Shield your records from heat and sunlight harm by storing them in a cool, dim spot (preferably away from direct sunlight).

3. Ditch PVC Sleeves

Time for some chemistry. In a nutshell, PVC bi-products react adversely with vinyl, causing ample damage. Over time, moisture accumulation in PVC sleeves can create a damp microclimate around the records, fostering conditions suitable for mold or mildew growth. Furthermore, this moisture, combined with the PVC compounds, can corrode the vinyl grooves and impact the sound quality.

Opt for alternatives to secure your records from potential PVC-related damage. Materials like polyethene and paper are preferred for their lack of PVC and less likelihood to cause harmful reactions. At Atlas Records, we recommend using Density's line of high-quality polythene outer sleeves (shop here).

4. Benediction of Proper Storage

Store records vertically in sturdy crates, shelves, or record storage solutions tailored for this purpose. This equalizes weight distribution and averts warping or excessive pressure on individual records.

Using protective inner sleeves between records lowers the risk of scratches or abrasions during storage. This also makes it simpler to access specific records without causing harm during handling.

Retrieving a record from the bottom of a horizontal stack can pose challenges and risks. Dragging records against each other can lead to scratches or surface abrasions. Avoid these pitfalls by organizing your records for easy access in a vertical arrangement.

5. Cleaning Woes

Steer clear of nasty cleaning practices--gritty brushes, harsh solvents, and excessive scrubbing can mar the vinyl’s surface. Scratches can result in faulty sound during playback. Use gentle and specially formulated cleaning solutions to maintain your records' optimal health.

We prefer the soft-bristled, vinyl-friendly cleaning tools offered by Vinyl Shelter for all our cleaning chores (check them out here!).

Comprehensive Benefits of Vinyl Collection

Caring for your vinyl records properly is the key to maintaining their top notch condition. Here are some proven ways to ensure that your vinyls thrive:

1. Gentle Touch: Handle the records by their edges to deter hand oils from spoiling the playing surface.
2. Regular Cleaning: Clean records with a dry cloth and occasionally use a specially formulated record cleaning solution to remove dust and debris.
3. Upright Housing: Store records vertically in crates or shelves to prevent excessive pressure; keep them out of direct sunlight.
4. Balanced Conditions: Store records in an environment with a consistent temperature and humidity level to ward off warping and mold growth.
5. Organization: Categorize your records for easy access, be it alphabetically, by genre, or by purchase date.

Following these guidelines cares for your vinyl records, assuring they remain pristine and prime for playback, enriching your listening experience for years to come. Happy collecting! 💿🎶🎧🎵

Sources:

1. Why Is the Vinyl Record Making a Comeback?
2. How to Keep Records Dust and Scratch-Free
3. Vinyl Care: Keeping Records Clean & Playing Smoothly
4. How to Store Your Vinyl Records: Tips for Long-Lasting Collection
5. The Art of Organizing Your Vinyl Record Collection
6. To protect your vinyl records' quality and longevity, select a lifestyle that prioritizes careful handling, storage, and cleaning, such as investing in durable polythene archival inner sleeves and organizing records in a cool, dim spot that's shielded from direct sunlight.
7. When shopping for accessories to enhance your vinyl record collection, choose materials like polyethene and paper over PVC options, as PVC bi-products may cause moisture accumulation, mold or mildew growth, and corrosion of vinyl grooves.
8. To extend the life of your records and improve home and garden aesthetics, consider sturdy crates, shelves, or specialized record storage solutions for proper vertical storage, which helps distribute weight evenly and lower the risk of scratches or warping.

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