record scratches...?

[Videoskooter]

First I find that a little noise and some clicks are part of the good old vinyl-experience.

I always wet my old records with water while playing and most of them keep sounding like (almost) new. If the scratch is too deep and the record is "looping :D " I put a coin on my needle-unit.

Yes, I'm old-fashioned

[Noman]

The "wet playing" method was heavily discussed back in mid seventies among hifi enthusiasts. I have later read as many pros as cons so I won't argue if it is good or bad for your records.

I think a cleaning with 10 to 20% IPA and distilled water makes wonders when it comes to "dirt related" crackle and clicks.
I intend to transfer my vinyls once and for all to digital format, so I think that if you can get rid of the clicks without affecting the soundquality (by manually fix them one by one) it is worth the time and effort. You still get the noice from the old recordings (actually, if the vinyl is in descent condition, the noice comes from the actual old analog recordings, not from the vinyl)

[Bernie]

Numan, you may want to go back to this thread about Cleaning Analogue Vinyl Records as some interesting points were brought up.

[Noman]

Thanks
It was a very good thread, short and informative, a real concentrate on the issue of cleaning vinyl.

[Videoskooter]

Hey Bernie, thx for directing us to that topic-link. But (for the first time :D ) I don't fully agree with you when you say to never "wet play" a record.

Maybe you're right but...I always do it with my oldies and when you play 'em like that you get a really deep and almost noise-free sound. The DJ's I work with all do it and nobody has problems with their old vinyl. Only one guy who mixed a little bit of dishwasher in his sprayer which he says is the perfect solution but now he has records he can't play anymore because when drying up the mixture stays in the grooves.

And indeed: never use tap-water and avoid moistening the label but considering that I never experience problems.

I think that it's one of those discussions with pros and cons just like Noman said.

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by Videoskooter

I think that it's one of those discussions with pros and cons just like Noman said.

Most certainly. There are times when it is necessary, but as a general rule I stay away from wet playing. Now all I need is a laser turntable and I'm all set!