How to flatten albums left in 100 degree heat?

Dabutcher

Left my new two record set of the sound track to my favorite animated classic "Heavy Metal" in my van on front seat for two days in 110 degree heat in a sealed van. Now warped badly. It was looking in perfect condition and clean too. As always. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Peace. D

Nightfall

Try this if you're desperate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibsutUWfG-M

There are also devices you can buy to flatten LPs but they're stupid expensive. As in thousands of dollars.

http://hifiheaven.net/shop/Furutech-DF-2-LP-Flattener-115V?language=en&currency=USD&gclid=CPassZzNiM4CFQyUaQodW3oMyw

agfrost

Here's a cost-effective solution:

http://www.musicdirect.com/p-3528-furutech-df-2-lp-disc-flattener.aspx

[Deleted User]

Global warming.

msg

I was looking into the VinylFlat product for a while. Read some mixed reviews, watched a few videos. Looks like it might work, but it's a lot to spend to possibly damage your records further. On the other hand, if it's warped to being unplayable, you don't really have anything to lose? I have a couple of rare affected albums needing attention, but still haven't gotten around to trying this.

In all of the controlled warming techniques I've read about so far, the key points seem to be:

• Low heat with relatively short exposure times
• Controlled cooling with the album under compression
• Patience enough to endure multiple "properly conducted" flattening sessions, and not just rushing to higher heat and longer sessions to hurry the process.

http://vinylflat.com/vinylflatproducts.html

gudnoyez

If it's still hot in Minneapolis today put album in sleeve sandwiched between two sheets of plexiglass and set a couple of heavy cinder blocks on top and sit out in the sun for an afternoon this method has worked for me on ocassion.

Dabutcher

Thanks.

[Deleted User]

Dab, as others have suggested, the Furutech flattener is a good professional tool. If you search around, there might be a record shop, or record service which does cleaning/demaging/flattening of lp's in your area. If you're a member of a local audio forum or club, that would be my first port of call, then maybe ask around your local record shops. Or if you have a big collection of vinyl, you might want to invest in your own machine. Cheers.

[Deleted User]

I just looked in the archives, I must have gotten rid of my copy as too beat up...

PolkClyde

I have a lot of Albums in the garage. no problem so far... it is very hot in there. thank God they are not all ruined. I wish I had a Album Rack like ted(reeltrouble1 has)

MrBuhl

I use two 1/2" thick 13" x 13" square plates of tempered glass. Sandwich the album between and leave them in the sun for an hour or two, (you can use the oven, but I'm chicken), depending on how hot your sun is. Check it so it doesn't get melting hot, seems to work OK on the two I've tried...

msg

More details please, Mista B.
Where'd you get the glass?
What's "works okay" mean? Did it flatten the records? How bad were they warped before? And now?
I want to try this. But I'm chicken.

MrBuhl

Got the glass from the glass guy through work, he beveled the edges so you can separate the plates easier.

The records were warped at the one edge, maybe an inch in as if stored on a slant in heat if that makes sense. Light warp otherwise. It did flatten them out, yes, that one wouldn't play on the outside song, it made the needle hop, now I can play it.

I've read you can flatten gooves out if you're not careful (melting) but I figured who cares, can't play it anyway as is... I haven't tried one with a lighter "all over" kind of warp.

Just sat it inside on the living room coffee table in the sun and checked on it a few times, eventually it flattened out, so I moved it into the cool basement (still between plates) to cool, presto!

I wouldn't experiment with something you love, but if you've got something that has to have it, great candidate. Definitely a YMMV, I'm no expert, but I did stay at Holiday Inn this year.

msg

Hahaha
Fantastic. So you did yours indoors then? I wouldn't have thought you could get it warm enough that way, but then again, it doesn't take much to warp them in the first place. The main album I'd be want to do this with currently costs on average $80 - $110 to replace. I'd like to have a method to use as needed moving forward, though.

Any sense of how hot it got, or for how long you left it?