Cheapest way to clean Albums.

[Super D]

I recently came into 100 old records that were found in a abandoned house. :D I'm assuming they are mostly disco,because the boxes have Dance on them.....but the records are out of the covers and the labels are faded......from first look ,it seems the records have a lot of dust and dirt on them...but they are not warped or cracked.

What is the most inexpensive way to clean the old records?

I can't wait to play what I found:(
thanks
Super D(Detroit)

[Bernie]

If you want cheap, dishwashing liquid like Joy or Dawn works very well. Just keep it off the label and blot the record dry so you don't get water spots.

[Noman]

Take IPA (IsoPropylAlcohol) (I would guess about 1-2$ for 500cc) and mix with distilled water. (10 to 20% IPA and fill up with water).

Evenly distribute a couple of teaspoons of the solution to the record and wipe the dirt of with a soft cloth. (I use non woven cloths, the one's you use when you wax the car, no dust...)

Then use a dry cloth (of the same kind) and get it as dry as you can. Then leave it for 15 min to get really dry.

(DO not use detergents like washing-up liquid or tap water. It just messes things up.)

I don't know about Joy and Dawn but the dishwashingliquids we got over her just - messes things up. It leaves some kind of residue on the vinyl.

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by Noman

I don't know about Joy and Dawn but the dishwashingliquids we got over her just - messes things up. It leaves some kind of residue on the vinyl.

Just make sure you get the plain versions without moisturizers... To be doubly sure just follow-up with the alcohol you mentioned.

[DISCODISK]

agree with bernie wasing up liquid,but just a slight squeeze not like you were really washing dishes [like id know ]
then when friends you dont like ask you out you can say 'sorry not tonight im washing my records' :P

[discodjii]

I came across a similar situation. The vinyl were moldy & water logg. The covers stuck to the vinyl . . . really poorly kept. Inwhichevercase, would this cleaning idea work?? -or- should I toss the records into the trash???

[Noman]

Yes you will get rid of most of it. To get it like it was before you probably need some quite hard brushes etc and go over it several times.

[unclepaya]

If you are audiofile just throw them away,or give those records to someone who loves disco music,but if you are disco music lover anyway you clean them is a good way !!!

[djyoca]

oen of teh best ways to clean the record from the dirt is to put it play few times and let teh needle do teh job first , get the dirt out then use anything mild to clean teh dust and dirt but never use alcohol.....also with new audio softwares always possible to clean the record pretty good...fast and with good sound

[Bernie]

Originally Posted by djyoca

oen of teh best ways to clean the record from the dirt is to put it play few times and let teh needle do teh job first , get the dirt out then use anything mild to clean teh dust and dirt but never use alcohol.....also with new audio softwares always possible to clean the record pretty good...fast and with good sound

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Sorry to shout, but never do the above as it will be just like applying sandpaper to vinyl. ALWAYS clean the record before playing it.