Cloudy/fogged vinyl records

A

abnormal_vet

New Member
Ok,

So i happened to fall into possession of a small collection of vinyl and of course I quickly whisked them up and ran home.
Upon further inspection I have found that the vast majority have a cloudy/fogged like appearance to them. Some more than others.
I have had them for around 4 weeks now and have ignored the issue mainly because I have not encountered this problem in my years of collecting. I have not played them either given my uncertainty relating to this problem.
My question is, is it possible to clean/remove this problem? If not, will it effect the sound and value of the records?

I'm hoping there is a solution to this problem of mine. I want to start listening and enjoying these albums!
 
Register to hide this ad
Start simple. Use Dawn dish soap and warm water to wash one of them. Rinse well and dry on a Microfiber cloth. If that works you're on your way. You can also search here on AK for the many threads about record washing. There are many, many ways to go about it.
 
John is spot on. I collect old 45's and foggy grey ones are a common thing. First do as John suggested with the warm water and Dawn detergent....then move on to a basic RCM, such as an EV-1 using the supplied cleansing agent...a thorough vacuum followed by a warm water rinse and another vacuum cycle. You'll be amazed by the difference in how they look and sound!
 
What are you NOT telling us? oops, I see!

jberger said:
Before you do, swing by your local Harbor Freight and pick up a pair of their 4-1/2" suction cups with handles (used for carrying glass panes). They're just the right size to cover the record labels so they don't get water damaged (and, as a bonus, you get a nice handle to hold onto while you clean the record).

Here's a link:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-half-inch-diameter-suction-cup-40993.html
Click to expand...

What? how is this going to work again, with a hole in the middle of the record, you won't get any suction, oh I see, you get TWO! :thmbsp:

A suction cup on ONE side of the record will NOT work, you need to use TWO, one for each side at the same time! :yes: :D

Just thought I'd make that clear (to ME anyway!) :thmbsp:

Mark T. :music:
 
So I seem to have this same effect. For me it's showing up on a few well stored NEVER PLAYED UK 12 inches and LPs from the 90s. I have one today (a StereoLabe 10 inch) that was scored in a paper sleeve, turned with opening up inside the original picture over and then inside a collector's 10 inch bag, again with the bag opening lined up with a seam of the 10" picture cover. In other words, I don't think dirt, or, really, moisture, could get into the vinyl. Been in browsing crates in my basement, getting neither too hot nor too cold for the past, ok, THIRTY or SO YEARS...

I tried a carbon bush on these 'spots' (My wife calls them "gunk" but gunk is too substantial, 'fog spots' is more what I see, but I am afraid they will smear like grease if you take a microfiber to them (they don't) I washed with MOFI ONE and two edger paint pads (one to scrub with, one to dry after 'drying') and the market lightened somewhat but didn't go away totally.

I haven't had a turntable set up to play grade. Don't know if these marks affect sound or tracking. Hope to have a turntable up soon.

Any idea on the source of these spots?

I'm selling this old stock on Discogs and would definitely like to keep/make vinyl as pristine as possible.

Thanks, folks

-Allan
 
Maybe a dab of this....:rflmao:

DVM-101316.png
 
ABalliett said:
So, is there any truth in this? (The stuff on my disks doesn't look fungal but...what do I know ?)
Click to expand...

Haha,I was trying to be humorous,but there may be a grain of truth too. I have encountered this myself occasionally (on records!) when going through discs at flea markets and garage sales. There have also been threads on this issue,and also concerning mold (fungus?) on album covers and how to cure it. Try a search on https://www.vinylengine.com/
 
I thought it was something coming from plastic lined inner sleeves but I had one the other day that was in a paper sleeve and had 'the spots'

I don't think it's the same 'fungus' but I see a similar affect on CDs that are 20 years old. Never played CDs but when you look at the play side they look like hell. Is there any forum dedicated to learning CDs without making them look worse? My 'rub' is that I'm going through this stuff to sell on Discogs and want items to look 'like new' and to play like new as well or I'm just going to have to toss them. Sad to say, I have thousands of items .... and lots of work ahead ... Thanks for being here, folks!
 
I have a copy of Oscar Peterson's LP-The way I really play, that has a similar issue.
Looks like fog that covers over half the LP.
It was stored in a clear vinyl cover that had a very strong vinyl scent to it.
It came from a collection of lots of immaculate jazz LP's.
But this one didn't make it through the years.
I've tried using all the different types of LP Cleaning solutions from AIS, Lu'Art Du Son, Disc Doctor, etc...including the Enzyme formulations they offer, even tried Ultrasonic Cleaning.
But sadly its still there.
When played it has an odd woosh sound similar to white noise.
This is only when the stylus hits the foggy looking parts.
I gave up and figured it was damaged beyond repair.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom