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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?
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Showing 6 responses by uberwaltz

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
I run my US Cleaner at 42c for 22 minutes with them spinning all the time and usually just 3 records at a time even though it is capable of 5 at a time to give an inch spacing between the records.
I have not tried versaclean yet but use Kodak Photoflo which seems to work well for myself.

ymmv.

I am glad to see that the more rational amongst us fully agree that mold release agent is a very likely cause of this strange film! 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Don't get me wrong Mijo, I certainly would be interested in the results, heck I may give it a try this week on some older records just out of curiosity.
Being in Florida we have the weather 😎😎.

I suspect that the label would not survive but what the heck, you never know.

Time to fire up the Honda pressure washer....
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Someone showing their age 😎😎
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Why in the world would you turn a pressure washer loose on brand new records?😲😲

Just send them back as defective!

Sheesh!
🤔🤔
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Mold release agent WILL migrate to the surface of records depending on conditions etc.

Nothing new really.....
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntable_forum/viewtopic.php?t=43694

uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Not sure what it is exactly but my guess would be some residue from the pressing process or mold release agent.
I would just return them tbh.
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