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Strange film on new records.

I have three records in my collection that were purchased new, but have a strange sticky film on them that I cannot seem to be able to clean off. This film appears like it is melted onto the surface. I’ve tried alcohol solution, tergitol, scrubbing, ultrasonic. Each cleaning seems to reduce this film, but it still remains. When I have tried to play them, they gum up the stylus. Does anyone maybe know what this film is, and more importantly, how to clean it off?
politics_junkie

Showing 4 responses by terry9

terry9
2,354 posts
 
I bow to your superior knowledge, @benjie .
terry9
2,354 posts
 
I haven’t had this problem, but I would try to solve it with a lab grade detergent suitable for plastics.

Lab grade because lab stuff has to work to spec, and there is hell to pay if it doesn’t. The Big Boys rely on those specs, and they have corporate lawyers aplenty.

So I align my interests with theirs. VersaClean from Fisher Scientific is one such product, and it is also recommended for ultrasonic, where it works a treat.

Of course, if you want your records to smell as fresh as flowers, and don't mind soap film, then by all means use dish soap.

terry9
2,354 posts
 
Leaving it 20 minutes - better make that 40C or 105F at 80KHz. Be sure to cool the record uniformly by spinning it in the rinse. And try one record first!

If you only have 40KHz, maybe even cooler ...
terry9
2,354 posts
 
Pol, if you are getting progress, that’s a good sign. Make sure that your chemistry is hot enough - about 45 degrees C ~ 115 degrees F.

I use 1:40 (distilled water to VersaClean) for most records, 1:20 for the worst. Why not try 1:20 and see what happens? Twenty minutes at 45C might just do it. If not, grasp at straws; maybe slop some VersaClean onto each side and spread with a cotton ball, leave it for 5 minutes, and try again.

Good luck!
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