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Can Ice Cubes reduce pops/clicks caused by a scratch on an LP?

Audioraven

Audioraven

Well-Known Member
I came across this suggestion on the interwebs. You can reduce the audibility of scratches on a record by rubbing an ice cube on the record in the same direction as the grooves. Have any of you tried this? Could it inflict more sonic damage than good? Just curious, as I am tempted to try it on some used records of mine.
 
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Is the ice cube supposed to bring something to the table (so to speak) that the water it melts into wouldn't if you just used water?
I mean, ice is a crystalline material and it can be very hard if it is cold enough, but unless one's gonna do this task in a walk-in deep freeze -- the cube is just gonna melt... isn't it?
 
cafe latte said:
Never tried it but I think the idea is as you rub the ice takes the shape of the grooves. If grove is damaged ie leading in to another such as stuck record the grooves that form in the ice push the damaged groove back in line. It might work I suppose..
Chris
Click to expand...

And if it doesn’t work, just drop those cubes into a glass of good bourbon. I promise the record will sound better.
 
Audioraven said:
I came across this suggestion on the interwebs. You can reduce the audibility of scratches on a record by rubbing an ice cube on the record in the same direction as the grooves. Have any of you tried this? Could it inflict more sonic damage than good?
Click to expand...
Are you kidding? How could you possibly inflict damage on a record by rubbing an ice cube on it? It's not like you're rubbing against the groove - right? The interwebs is an amazing source of info. I think I came across that bit too when I was checking out this new ground breaking flat earth theory, but never mind that now b/c I found this record restoration expert that will blow your mind with other cool stuff (pun intended - ha ha, lol). I'm off to the freezerino to make me some cubes and clean me some records. Watch this interwebs bit - live and learn:

 
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I sometimes use Citrasolve to clean vinyl. It works well on real vinyl but will dissolve the groove flat if styrene. I ruined a Rickey Nelson disc with this stuff so assumed it was styrene or some such crap even though the recording was from ca 1970.
 
i have been operating under the impression that playing records while wet was a big no-no....so wouldnt be on board for using ice. if i run into something i NEED to have cleaned, i take it to the guy with the ultrasonic megabucks cleaner, and slide him a couple bux.
 
cafe latte said:
Never tried it but I think the idea is as you rub the ice takes the shape of the grooves. If grove is damaged ie leading in to another such as stuck record the grooves that form in the ice push the damaged groove back in line. It might work I suppose..
Chris
Click to expand...

Indeed, that is the theory. Still hoping to hear from someone who has actually tried it.
 
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