Gunk on vinyl albums

[dragon1952]

I've been storing some vinyl albums for years. Some of them have some areas that have this stuff on them, as in the picture. It's not raised or anything. It almost looks like some corrosion. Does vinyl get corrosion?

[Poee7R]

I'm not a vinyl guy, but I think that is mold.

Haha funny question, but does it smell funky?


Dave

[dragon1952]

I'm not a vinyl guy, but I think that is mold.

Haha funny question, but does it smell funky?

Dave

Ha ha :rolleyes: :D

No smell, funky or otherwise.

[BaggedLancer]

6 parts water to 2 parts iso alochol with a drop of photoflo or dish soap, give it a shake, spray it on and wipe clean. If they are 78's don't do that.

[hearingimpared]

It is probably mold. You might want to buy a bottle of Vinyl-Zyme Gold here (http://www.smartdev.com/buggtussel.html). I've been using this stuff for about a year now and it is the best mold and deep crud removal formula I have ever used.

I am not a big proponent of using any kind of dish soap no matter how small an amount in a solution due to the fact that they all (dish soap) leave some kind of residue that is hard to remove with a finishing chemical.

[treitz3]

The steam cleaning method can give you another way to remove the mold or gunk. Just look up the steam cleaning records thread and you will find a plethora of information.

[dragon1952]

I looked closer using a magnifying glass. It looks like the vinyl has worn or corroded. probably that disc washer crap we used 30 yrs ago :rolleyes:

[engtaz]

The steam cleaning method can give you another way to remove the mold or gunk. Just look up the steam cleaning records thread and you will find a plethora of information.
What steam cleaner do you use?

engtaz

[hearingimpared]

The sharkk.

[treitz3]

Joe's correct, it's the Shark and you can pick one up at any local Target at or near the vacuum cleaner section. Right at $40 give or take a couple.

[engtaz]

The Super Steamer????

engtaz

[treitz3]

No, it's called the Shark.

http://www.target.com/Shark-Steam-Blaster-Jr-S3210R/dp/B000F3VFTC/sr=1-2/qid=1206931641/ref=sr_1_2/601-2104689-9008940?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3Asteam%20shark&page=1

It looks like the Super steamer is the same thing, but I am unsure if it comes with the same tips as it looks like you can bend the steamer output.

http://www.target.com/Shark-Super-Steamer/dp/B000GHDN38/sr=1-4/qid=1206931641/ref=sr_1_4/601-2104689-9008940?ie=UTF8&rh=k%3Asteam%20shark&page=1

[engtaz]

Are you using distilled water or something different? Yes, both are Sharks but the Super has a better consumer rating on Target's web site, but you stated you have the JR. I will go check out both.
http://www.amazon.com/Euro-Pro-SC710S-Euro-Pro-Steamer/dp/B0000E6EE5
http://www.amazon.com/Shark-Steam-Blaster-Jr%252e-%2528S3210R%2529/dp/B000F3VFTC
which tip do you use?

Thanks,
engtaz

[treitz3]

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59579

This is the thread I was referring to Engtaz. Any and all information is contained within this thread concerning steam cleaning, process, techniques, results and products used.

To directly answer your question, distilled water and the 45 degree tip [more like the 50 degree tip] pointed down. Page 4, post 106 [of the link above] has my process and Joe has another process he uses which is similar but enhanced. I don't know of anybody who has the Super Shark. Your mention of it here was the first I have heard of it to be honest.

[engtaz]

Thanks very much.

engtaz