Re: [ARSCLIST] 78 RECORDS MILDEW AND MOLD

["Steven C. Barr" <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Helen Dearing" <HelDear@xxxxxxx>
> WELL, THE MORE I READ THE RESPONSES, THE MORE I RELALIZE THE LESS I KNOW.
I
> ASSUME WHEN YOU SAY "CYLINDER" YOU ARE REFERRING TO A CYLINDER SHAPE. IF
THAT
> IS TRUE, THEN I DO NOT HAVE ANY CYLINDERS. ALL MY RECORDS ARE FLAT, ROUND
AND
> 12 INCHES ACROSS. AND YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THE WORST CONDITIONS ARE THE
EXACT
> CONDITIONS THAT THESE RECORDS HAVE BEEN STORED IN FOR 5 YEARS.
>
> AFTER I HAVE CLEANED A RECORD, IT APPEARS PERFECT.
> HOW DO I IDENTIFY THE MATERIAL OF THE RECORD? I HAVE NOTICED THAT SOME ARE
> MUCH THICKER THAN OTHERS.
>
> YOU SUGGEST THAT THEY CAN BE STORED WITHOUT SLEEVES AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT
> RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER. TOUCHING EACH OTHER IS OK IN YOUR OPINION, RIGHT?
WHAT
> AM I MISSING? THAT SEEMS A CONTRADICTION. TO PULL ONE OUT, RUBBING IS
GOING TO
> HAPPEN.
>
> I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY SIZE EXCEPT 12 INCH DIAMETER RECORDS, AS THAT IS ALL
I
> HAVE SEEN SO FAR.
>
> I LIKE THE MILK CARTON IDEA. THAT JUST MIGHT BE THE WAY TO GO FOR ME. I
LIVE
> ON A FARM, VERY CLOSE TO THE FIELDS AND GET A GREAT DEAL OF DUST AT
CERTAIN
> TIMES WHEN THE FIELDS ARE BEING WORKED. MABY I COULD SET A CARTON IN A
LARGE
> PLASTIC TRASH BAG AND PUNCH A SMALL HOLE IN EACH, FOR BREATHING.I SURE DO
NOT
> EVER WANT TO CLEAN THEM AGAIN, NOT EVEN DUST THEM EVER AGAIN.
>
> IT HAS JUST OCCURED TO ME,.... DO I HAVE 78'S??? MABY I STARTED MY WHOLE
HELP
> MESSAGE WITH THE WRONG SIZE.
>
> I AM ABOUT TO LIGHT A MATCH TO THIS WHOLE PROJECT. SO LITTLE I KNOW ABOUT
A
> VERY BIG SUBJECT.
>
> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND KINDNESS WITH YOUR RESPONSE.
>
> IF YOU EVER NEEN ANY HELP ON MILITARIA, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS MAKE A
REQUEST.
> I THINK I WILL JUST MOVE MY FOCUS BACK TO SOMETHING I KNOW AT LEAST A
LITTLE
> ABOUT. GIGGLE  RESPECTIVELY HELEN
After reading your reply, what you seem to have is a collection of vinyl
"long playing albums." This is good in the sense that they cannot be
attacked by mould or fungi that I am aware of (unless some new life forms
escape a lab)...but it does change my advice on cleaning. "LP's" are more
often bothered by residue left there by decaying album jackets, which has
to be removed completely...their grooves are .001 or .0007 inches wides,
so it takes very little to interfere with their playing. As well, vinyl
is comparatively soft, unlike shellac, so they must be cleaned gently
but you still need to get into the grooves to remove any foreign
material left there.

There are a number of commercial record-cleaning compounds and devices
available...but most are rather expensive. You should be able to do a
fairly good cleaning using warm (NOT hot) tap water and common dish
detergent, well rinsed off after the cleaning. I have seen the pads
used to apply paint (as a substitute for brushes) recommended for
use...but things like old t-shirts will also work. This will not get
them absolutely clean, but should restore them to playable condition.

Also, my storage advice was intended for shellac 78's, NOT vinyl LP's.
The latter should be in some sort of sleeve or jacket (these are readily
available from dealers) for storage. Keep in mind that even a microscopic
scratch, all but invioible to the naked eye, can cause a skip or stick.
As well, these should also be stored using paper or plastic inner sleeves
(also available from dealers).

As I noted, these warp irreparably if exposed to serious heat (including
being left in direct sunlight).

There should be a lot of information on the "web" regarding cleaning and
care of vinyl "albums!"

Steven C. Barr