Does Water Damage Vinyl Records

A microscopic view of lp grooves.

Does water damage vinyl records.

You can get records extremely clean whilst incurring no damage when you do it properly and spot cleaning with a 50 water ipa solution gets any really stubborn marks off afterwards. Many cleaning product manufacturers err on the side of caution when considering alcohol as a record cleaning ingredient. This probably needs high tracking force which will have an effect on record wear. I ve seen old records cleaned with tap water.

Can i put something on them to remove the mold. Washing records in the sink with a smidge of detergent and a splash of ipa is unbeatable for both time and money considerations. Just don t get the label wet. The return of john grant.

Never spritz water or wet play a vinyl record in an attempt to quiet the crackle and pops. In our previous interview with groovewasher founder steve chase he explained why the creator of the original 1970 s discwasher dr bruce maier stayed clear of high amounts of iso alcohol when cleaning vinyl records dr maier cautioned against fluids with high. I don t have any personal experience with the crosley but i suspect it to have a cheap and rather crude spherical needle. Water damaged vinyl flooring problems are more common over concrete than with vinyl floors installed over wood substrates.

Damage to records can be subtle. Water wont ruin old shellac 78rpm records but any water other than distilled water may cause damage to vinyl 33 and 45rpm records and could damage the cartridge on the turntable. Never wet play a vinyl record does wet playing a record help reduce noise. They have mold all over them and i was wondering if water damages it permanently.

Never stack vinyl records as shown in this photo as it can lead to warped discs and ring wear on the album jackets.