Cleaning 78 RPM Records

hearingimpared

I posted this one in the vinyl section of Audio Asylum as advised by a member here but I want to see if I can get feedback here too so here goes.

My cousin has an incredible collection of 78's which include unamplified recordings of the Great Caruso. Unfortunately three crates of his 78's had become moldy. I have voluntered to clean them up for him but I am not sure of the proper solution(s) to use as I'm not sure if the 78's are carbon, lacquer or vinyl.

I currently use a VPI 16.5. The solutions I use are Bugtussel Vinyl-Zyme Gold, VPI record cleaning fluid, MFSL Super Deep cleaner, and MFSL Record wash. I also have available to me a Tergitol mixture.

1. Does anyone have any experience cleaning mold off of 78's?

2. What method of cleaning do you use?

3. What cleaning agents should I use or beware of?

Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated.

PS: I've been told by one fellow on the AA forum that they are made of shellac but I'm curious if anyone knows if 78s were made from other substances such as carbon, lacquer, or vinyl. If so is there a way to tell?

Thanks,
Joe

F1nut

I thought they were made from shellac as well. In fact, years ago I broke one up into small pieces and threw it in a jar of denatured alcohol to see what kind of shellac I could get from it. Weeks later and nothing dissolved, so at least some of them were made from something other than shellac.

hearingimpared

Bump

Polkersince85

You may have to research this discussion forum. I wouldn't use any alcohol.

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/arsclist/2009/01/msg00272.html

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/arsclist/2009/01/msg00270.html

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/arsclist/

hearingimpared

Thanks Bro.

Toolfan66

This is off topic i know, but it reminded me of a story about 20 years ago.

There was this used record store i always went to, and they had a bunch of 78's i was always fasinated by how thick they are. so a friend of mine went there with me, and i showed them to him. I was like look how solid they are, and i went to flex it a little and it shattered in my hands. I was like crap not knowing how much it cost. I went and told the owner (Don was his name the store was called Don's Disk's ) and he told me not to worry about it.

Needless to say that was the last time i ever handled a 78.

I am still curious how they sound, and play.

artinaz

I have see a thread- possibly at audiogon.com- about using the handheld steamers to clean the records. You can get them at walgreens for 20$.

Azi

hearingimpared

artinaz wrote: »

I have see a thread- possibly at audiogon.com- about using the handheld steamers to clean the records. You can get them at walgreens for 20$.

Azi

Thanks for the tip. BTW I have a steamer maybe I'll give it a shot.