• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Wood Glue as Vinyl Cleaner

This is the first time I tried this technique. I used a 99c album by the Beach Boys that I didn't bother playing before (had mold, etc..).

The results were pretty good although not all of the mold was removed.

Afterwards I decided to wash the record by hand (gently) and the mold was completely removed.

The sound was pretty nice, some clicks and pops but nothing that overwhelmed the sound of music.

In case you have mold on your record, IMO I'd recommend washing it beforehand. Afterwards washing seemed to be O.K. but just something I'd try first.

Another thing, I wouldn't even bother with the tape tabs. They just seem to prevent drying, adds HOURS to the drying process.

Instead of the tabs, I just spread the glue to the very edge. Once it dries, scratch around the edge of the record and the glue will start to peel. Continue this process until you can get a hold of a good piece of the peeled glue then peel the whole thing off. :)
 
edsanchez said:
This is the first time I tried this technique. I used a 99c album by the Beach Boys that I didn't bother playing before (had mold, etc..).

The results were pretty good although not all of the mold was removed.

Afterwards I decided to wash the record by hand (gently) and the mold was completely removed.

The sound was pretty nice, some clicks and pops but nothing that overwhelmed the sound of music.

In case you have mold on your record, IMO I'd recommend washing it beforehand. Afterwards washing seemed to be O.K. but just something I'd try first.

Another thing, I wouldn't even bother with the tape tabs. They just seem to prevent drying, adds HOURS to the drying process.

Instead of the tabs, I just spread the glue to the very edge. Once it dries, scratch around the edge of the record and the glue will start to peel. Continue this process until you can get a hold of a good piece of the peeled glue then peel the whole thing off. :)
Click to expand...

Pray tell.Which glue did you use,Ed?
 
edsanchez said:
Another thing, I wouldn't even bother with the tape tabs. They just seem to prevent drying, adds HOURS to the drying process.

Instead of the tabs, I just spread the glue to the very edge. Once it dries, scratch around the edge of the record and the glue will start to peel. Continue this process until you can get a hold of a good piece of the peeled glue then peel the whole thing off. :)
Click to expand...
:yes:


James H
 
I tried gluing up some 45's recently and I had an issue with the peel. It didn't want to come off in one piece and I had a lot of remnants left over that I had to use Scotch tape to pick up. I have never had an issue with LPs and was just curious if anyone else has run into this issue?

I did try spreading the glue a little thinner to try and conserve and speed up the dry time but I don't think that it was too thin.
 
edsanchez said:
Afterwards I decided to wash the record by hand (gently) and the mold was completely removed.

In case you have mold on your record, IMO I'd recommend washing it beforehand. Afterwards washing seemed to be O.K. but just something I'd try first.

Another thing, I wouldn't even bother with the tape tabs. They just seem to prevent drying, adds HOURS to the drying process.

Instead of the tabs, I just spread the glue to the very edge. Once it dries, scratch around the edge of the record and the glue will start to peel. Continue this process until you can get a hold of a good piece of the peeled glue then peel the whole thing off. :)
Click to expand...

All good advise from my experience.:thmbsp:
 
I think its funny how no matter how many pages there are in this thread and how many times people say 'this is amazing' people still are like 'I have a worthless throw-away firestone christmas record that I'm going to try it on.':D

I can't blame them I did the same thing!

Anyway, I have found that thinning the glue w/ water or isopropyl makes it too easy to tear, but I found the perfect alternative.

Aleene's + Elmer's Clear School Gel = Vinyl Cleaning Heaven

For those who haven't tried either, Aleene's is a very flexible rubbery strong glue that peels perfectly, but is thick and takes a while to dry and spread. Elmer's Clear School Gel is a very thin glue (it looks like thick water when you tip the bottle) that can be used on its own if spread properly (I found using a paintbrush works quickly but spreads the gel too thinly in only one coat to peel properly) and it dries very fast ~1-2 hrs.

However I found that if you mix the 2 you can use a paintbrush to paint it on and it dries very quickly and peels perfect! :thmbsp:

154195.jpg


+

E305.jpg
 
Last edited:
Wow, that is a great idea!

Aleenes seems so thick, I keep thinking maybe it isn't getting real deep in the grooves....

Used Gorilla Wood Glue, and it dries slow, but peels off super duper easy.

Is your mix of the Elmers and Aleene's a one to one ratio??
 
onwardjames said:
Wow, that is a great idea!

Aleenes seems so thick, I keep thinking maybe it isn't getting real deep in the grooves....

Used Gorilla Wood Glue, and it dries slow, but peels off super duper easy.

Is your mix of the Elmers and Aleene's a one to one ratio??
Click to expand...

Yeah I would say, roughly. Usually I start off with a paper cup of Aleene's and then add the Gel to it until it looks about right, stirring a lot before deciding to add more or not.
 
jukeboxfun said:
Don't try the glue on a 78. I did and the glue wouldn't come off.
Click to expand...
I think that's been discussed a number of times in this thread (warnings on the very first PAGE, post #14, ) concerning the different material used to make 78s and how these glues are NOT suitable for them.
 
Kevin A said:
I think that's been discussed a number of times in this thread (warnings on the very first PAGE, post #14, ) concerning the different material used to make 78s and how these glues are NOT suitable for them.
Click to expand...

Like most threads where the thread has accumulated a vast history,for the lucky ones who have been following from the beginning,they have mentally noted the incremental lessons.

The lessons aren't there for those who cut to the latest pages. :no:
 
I just went to the local Walgreens Drug/ MiniMart today to get a fresh bottle of Elmer's School Glue for a Long Nite of Pre-4th Vinyl cleaning. Now, there seems to be a choice of Elmer's School Glue out there. I have been using some that was Tan, it worked well but took quite a while to dry. Today Walgreens had White School Glue for $1 for 4oz. Not only did it dry in like 2 hrs., but it almost came off by itself....I think that the Color of the Glue effects how Sticky & Stretchy it is. And this is with just School Glue, I've read about the Clear and the Gel having Peeling Problems..
PS. I've just checked a LP that I let dry longer, and it does Peel off by itself in 2 1/2 hr......Time now for the Listening Test...
 
Last edited:
I applied a generous smooth, level coating of Titebond II to a record that had a bad snap, crackle & pop throughout the entire side (one song).

Let it dry till clear (about 12 hours total). Edges peeled right up with a nudge from the fingernails, and the whole piece came off as one solid 'disk of glue.' NICE!

Gave it a good carbon-fiber brushing before playing. Cued up the needle and.....'snap, crackle & pop!' all over again. Hmmmmm. I know the glue wont remove any of scratches/pops, but I was certainly hoping the process would remove a good deal of the crackle (background static). no such luck the first time around. Perhaps the Titebond is a bit too viscous (too thick) to get down deep into the grooves, so I may attempt the hybrid glue solution mentioned above (Titebond II & Elmers Clear school glue) and see if this combo improves my results.
 
Try first giving it a wash in Iso, Dawn and Distilled water...That and a Good Brushing can Loosen the Crusties a Bit, and also allow for the Glue to go Deeper in the Grooves..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom