Cleaning 78 RPM Records

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hearingimpared
hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
edited June 2009 in DIY, Mods & Tweaks
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
Post edited by hearingimpared on
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 52,303
    edited May 2009
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    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.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited May 2009
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    Bump
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited May 2009
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    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/
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited May 2009
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    Thanks Bro.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 18,367
    edited May 2009
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    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.
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  • artinaz
    artinaz Posts: 185
    edited June 2009
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    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
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited June 2009
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    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.
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