PSA: remember to clean your LPs before playing them!

Playing a #vinyl I hadn't in a while, I heard the song skipping a bit, which was pretty odd since I check mine before playing and it didn't have any visible damages. Then the sound proceeded to get more crackling, and suspicious, I went to check.

Turns out that disc was tucked away long enough that the dust the needle was pulling was making the quality drop in real time, just as seen in the photo.

...that can't be good for the diamond tip.

At least in my area, I've seen velvet fabric being used for cleaning LPs. From a quick search though, apparently microfiber is an option too? Would need to talk to someone from this niche to confirm though.

And probably I'm discovering the wheel just now in comparison to the majority here, but hopefully this helps someone. <.<

Auster 11 points 12 days ago

Bonus: the needle after the dust is pulled off.

If you can pinch a string of the dust ball without pinching the needle too, and pull it in the direction the needle points, it should come off effortles.

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wiccan2 8 points 12 days ago

I've been using Vinyl Clear and microfibre cloths to clean mine.

They sell a kit that comes with everything: https://vinylclear.com/...

I've cleaned about 160 LPs and 30ish 45s and have enough fluid left to at least do the same again.

Can't recommend it enough, I've had records go from unplayable to some of the best I own.

The stylus cleaning fluid has also come in handy a few times.

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tuckerm 4 points 12 days ago

Great recommendation, especially when buying used records. Although even new ones can have a lot of dust on then. New ones often have a strong static charge, and then every dust particle in the room gets sucked right onto it.

I bought a GrooveWasher cleaning kit when I first started collecting, and I still haven't used up the spray bottle yet. Comes with a stylus cleaning brush, too. https://www.groovewasher.com/...

The cleaning process seems to statically discharge them, too, which is nice.

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HerbalGamer 4 points 12 days ago

Have you heard of/tried the wood glue method? Shit's wild.

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Godort 12 points 12 days ago

This gives me agita.

I've seen enough people recommend it that it's probably real to some degree, but watching someone spread glue all over their record looks like they just ruined it, then the sound of them ripping the dried glue off in sheets sounds like they're breaking something.

Just buy a brush

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1hitsong 6 points 12 days ago

I did it several times on an old, warped, and unplayable album as a test.

You have to make sure you take care to cover the album and not leave any glue islands. Also, you must make the glue thick enough to support you pulling it off. Too thin and it tears, leaving bits you must scrape and pick off with your fingernails.

In the end, I decided the method wasn't for me and a brush is good enough.

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roserose56 3 points 11 days ago

I totally agree with you! Just before every spin brush the vinyl and the needle. The glue looks terrible.

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HerbalGamer 1 point 11 days ago

There's a certain oddly satisfying quality to it I guess, but I haven't tried it myself yet.

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Auster 1 point 12 days ago