Restoring an old vinyl record with GLUE!

Yes you read correctly and it WORKS!

[@augustusfootmount5194]

Dave, thanks for sharing this method. I have applied the vinyl glue to a series of my oldest records and the difference is notable. The “frying” noise is 90% gone.The records I intervened, from rhe early 60’s sound very nice now!

[@savvassidiropoulos5952]

The process works well. I would name it a "restoration" rather than cleaning, because of the time the whole process takes. For best results, I would recommend to lightly wet the surface of the record prior to applying the wood glue. That causes the glue to locally dilute some more and better penetrate the groove. Otherwise the high viscosity of the wood glue makes it penetrate partially and not pick up grime from the bottom of the grooves. Spreading the glue is easier and tidier using an old (expired) credit card. Once an initial spreading is done, I then work the glue with a flat paintbrush, half an inch wide, along the grooves, to ensure the glue works its way into the grooves. Indeed, you need twice as much glue as we see you apply on the side of the LP. The thicker the film, the easier it gets to remove it. And one final hint: You don't need to throw the film away once you are done. You can collect them, put them in a jar, put water into it and simmer them until you get a nice thick glue again. Some types of wood glue work better. They are inherently more elastic than others. Titebond II works great. And the time it takes for the glue to set depends on climate conditions. Cold, humid winter days are not good - it takes almost a day. Warm summer days are best - it takes 4-6 hours for the glue to dry completely. After removing the wood glue film, the LP is full of static and that can make you think it's not clean as you get lots of static pops. A water rinse is really useful. It will also remove some remnants of glue film if you were not successful in applying and removing the glue. In fact, washing the LP with mildly warm water and some dish soap will remove any traces of wood glue and you can start over. Even better is to put the LP into an U/S bath after the glue treatment with plain water and a few drops of surfactant. That will give you back a pristine LP. Even if you have an U/S cleaner, the wood glue can restore some really dirty LPs in a way the U/S can't by itself. Cleaning LPs that way will surprise you on how resilient the LP records are. Most of the clicks and pops we hear are not scratches but dirt. The only really destroyed records I have are some I inherited that were played for years on a changer with a worn ceramic cartridge at 5-10g tracking force and the sound of the damage is distortion, not clicks and pops. These are eliminated by cleaning even on destroyed records.

[@12voltvids]

As I said i was shown this 40 years ago but never have done it before. I think the results were great for the first attempt and i hadn't washed the record when i shot the video. I have since washed it and it has improved even more. Yes i know the glue can be melted down again.

[@koozmusic]

Really useful info - thanks!

[@TurntableGuy]

Good ol' gentle dish soap (Dawn) and water and a fine, soft paint brush is my favourite method. I've tried the glue method and while it works, you can use half a bottle of glue per side. Too expensive.

[@Hi-Tech-Ray]

I did the same thing with two pieces of wood to bridge the sink and a pencil as a spindle and slowly rotated the record then rinse it the same way.. I did see the water get very dirty! After rinsing I used compressed air blowing downwards from center to edge! then went over it with a wet record cleaning kit!

[@Craig_Spurlock]

It actually does work for me too, and I have done that many times. I was very surprised at how much dust it actually pulls out of old records. The specific glue recommended to me was Titebond 2, but as you showed here, most wood glue should work fine.

[@Capturing-Memories]

There are some rubber like resins that work very well for this purpose and they don't leave any crumbs on the record and they are cheaper than glue.

[@waleed9128]

very interesting way to clean records. thanks for sharing

[@georgegraves9635]

There used to be a product that did this really well. It was a vaguely citrus smelling viscous, clear liquid (reminded me of the stuff okra secretes). It came in a plastic squeeze bottle that had a plastic sponge tip that allowed the liquid to be spread on the record. The top looked like a aerosol can cap, except that it had a raised “teet” in the center the size of a turntable spindle to rest the record on while both sides dried. When dry, one took a piece of scotch tape and applied it from the edge of the record to the label edge. After pressing the tape well to guarantee good adhesion, one lifted on the outside edge of the tape and the entire dried film lifted off the record, leaving it absolutely pristine! It was the best record cleaning method I’ve ever used, and that included ultra-sonic as well as the wildly expensive professional Kieth Monks vacuum cleaning machine! It was made and marketed by Empire Scientific, the same company that made those gorgeous gold colored Audio Empire “Troubadour” turntables. It disappeared, unfortunately, when The company went out of business. BTW, you should try the scotch tape trick the next time you use the wood glue to clean a record. It works much better than trying to use your finger nails to start the removable of the glue layer.

[@andynoon2584]

I need to get some wood glue for my dads old Elvis LPs. Be nice to hear them with less crackle and pop. Thanks for the info.

[@jasejj]

There is a product called Winyl that does a better job than glue, you need far less of it and it globs itself evenly over the disc (difficult to describe) and comes off like a layer of PVC. This, combined with the Disco Antistat cleaner (which is a horrible cheap plastic thing but works extremely well) I find is all I need to remove virtually all noise from clogged-up records.

[@aldo9535]

Back in the 80s I bought a record cleaning kit which did exactly this. Might even have it around still!

[@wshaw8543]

I learned to do it with hide glue. It is a less brittle and leaves zero residue

[@zx8401ztv]

Very sneaky, the unusual methods people come up with. I wonder if the glue removal could be easyer to remove by laying an old T shirt on top of the wet glue. So when dry you have a cloth to pull off and take the glue with it. A silly thought, i know.

[@Watcher3223]

Yeah, I've used this trick with Elmer's Wood Glue to clean up a few of my records. Works a treat, though it can get expensive in both money and time since you use a lot of glue and, obviously, you have to give the glue time to completely dry before peeling it away from the disc.

[@12voltvids]

Only for special records.

[@Watcher3223]

@@12voltvids Agreed.

[@TerryLawrence001]

I used to put a tab of masking tape just barely hanging over the edge of the record and ran a blob of glue over the tape to give my a tab to pull. I bite my nails :-)

[@andrew1479]

Getting the peel started is easier if you stick a bit of thin card on the edge of the record before it dries.

[@12voltvids]

I was thinking tape would do it too. Next time.

[@joelcarson9514]

Haven't tried this yet, but for recording a record, you clean with like dawn dish detergent and a soft natural bristle bush ( Use one of those acrylic and O-Ring label protectors, I have one and they do protect the label and have cleaned using this method) rinse with distilled water and let dry. Then lubricate the entire surface (NOT the label) of the side you are about to record with a 60-40 solution of Distilled water and K-Y jelly and hit play and record ( Tape or digital ) supposedly works to minimize surface noise and scratches without adversely affecting the sound quality. I wouldn't do this with my best and most expensive turntable and cartridge. For many of those thrift store finds this could be the answer. I'll let you know if it seems to work well.

[@leeboleebo6228]

You have to one a bit thicker to see if you can get it off in one and try and play it to if it plays in reverse lol top man again dave

[@rodneybrand8521]

I've done this myself and it works well...i use a new bondo spreader to spread the glue...i also let it dry for 2 days..then peeled it off.. I knew technician who worked for WSB television station in Atlanta Georgia who show me this trick back early 70's..i thought he was crazy...but no..

[@12voltvids]

That's where I learned it. When i was working in television broadcasting while in school.

[@b.powell3480]

Hi Dave ! This procedure does work very well, just have to make sure that it dries just enough to be peeled off without becoming a permanent part of the record. Also, I would clean any residue off !

[@12voltvids]

Wood glue will not stick to vinyl.

[@therestorationofdrwho1865]

The key is to do it when it’s still a little soft and not hard like this so it doesn’t shatter into a million pieces.

[@SeanBZA]

Tip for the peel is to drop a post it note onto the record when the glue is still tacky, giving you a tab to start the pulling off. Leave till it is still flexible, and not totally dry, or wipe with a damp cloth just a minute before trying the peel. You can add extra layers of glue to the record afterwards, and peel of the negative as a single unit, which can be used to actually make a copy by simply electroplating it with copper, and then remove the glue, leaving behind a copper record.

[@savvassidiropoulos5952]

I wonder if RIAA will chime in to complain about copyright issues here. 😀

[@slotec]

somebody made a video about that,cant remember who.

[@SeanBZA]

@@slotec Going to guess Techmoan, I also remember the video.

[@savvassidiropoulos5952]

@@SeanBZA It was Mike Gervasi 11 years ago. Search for his channel or for "Record made out of Wood Glue"

[@teacfan1080]

I bet this would work pretty good for 78's being the groove on a 78 is wider. I might have to give that a try.

[@SeanBZA]

Would be careful with Shellac records, because the glue will adhere to them. Best is a roll over with silly putty, which actually was invented to clean wallpaper, before becoming a toy instead.

[@davejones5745]

Yeah, I'd have to agree with the gent who used warm water and Dawn detergent. Much easier and far less expensive. Great video anyways!

[@RetroMechanic]

I member to shop record cleaning glue 1980? That glue was more elastic than wood-glue. and it take off by using tape.

[@Hi-Tech-Ray]

I have always thought this was a misconception until seeing this.

[@12voltvids]

I thought the same thing. I thought the engineer was pulling my leg when he said he was going to pour glue on the record and then he showed me it done on a dirty old record.

[@Hi-Tech-Ray]

@@12voltvids PS I Agree with not using a good turntable when u apply the glue on the record as I would never do so on my Technics 1200s. I have even tried making a solution of warm water and Dawn in the sink using two pieces of wood and a pencil to support the record, as I slowly rotate the record by hand as it lifts up all the dirt and grime then air drying the record with compress air from the center to the edge downwards! Once dried I got over it with a wet record cleaning kit!

[@12voltvids]

@@Hi-Tech-Ray i have too many turntables. Thorens td165. Technics slm1 dual 505 and 1214, an akal and JVC direct drive (forget the model no) the one in this video, a Sony belt drive and an ion USB table plus don't forget that b&o I fixed a few months ago.

[@robertgaines-tulsa]

I usually see the wood glue that dries into a more flexible rubber to clean records. My Micky Mouse children's records from the mid-'80s have less scratches than that thing. I always tried to be careful with them. It's weird how they are mastered better than any thing after the mid-90s. The loudness war is nasty!

[@12voltvids]

Best disc I have is George Benson breezing released by mobile fidelity sound labs. It is particularly good pressing. I paid 30 bucks for it back in the late 70s and back then a vinyl sold for 2.99 at a&b sound. Now my son pays 100 to 150 for a single vinyl. And i thought I was crazy paying 30 bucks for a half speed mastered vinyl.

[@TheMcflyster]

For seriuos cleaning I would recomend a vinyl vacum cleaner.

[@ManuGuinarte]

For singles it's a good method but not for Lp's: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fmLWoYiXjNCWhrM

[@kbobdonahue1966]

I like that music from the clean side. Just wondering if you can tell me the title of this song?

[@12voltvids]

All about the blues.

[@gyrgrls]

Elmers Glue should have a rice-based formula. It would be easier to peel off!

[@Natures_Intentions]

That's a cool way to cut the noise down.

[@darinb.3273]

Another excellent way is to add a little bit of water. If the record is played a couple of time the water will break up the gunk in the groove. Then the water can be flushed away and replaced with fresh and provided the vinyl isn't damaged (scratched up) it record can potentially sound brand new.

[@runepedersenDK]

@@darinb.3273 I tried that too. Works very well, as long as the record is wet. Removes almost all noise. That way, I copied my records to tape, and then stored away the records, playing back the tapes (Denon HD8 on high end decks). Some of the noise returns when record dries, though.

[@darinb.3273]

@@runepedersenDK The best solution for water is using distilled as tap water has other stuff in it besides pure H2O, as I understand pure (distilled water) dries leaving nothing behind. Well water or city/county water has lime/chlorine at minimum in it which is what builds up on your house hold fixtures (usually white chalky stuff) it may also be calcium deposits too. Anyway distilled water is supposed to be absolutely pure H20. You certainly are preserving your valuable albums committing them to tape which also has it's own draw backs but anyway ENJOY THE SWEET TUNES you treasure and happy listening 👌😄😃.

[@greggaieck4119]

Cool music

[@lawrencecavens5760]

I bet that - that kinda cleaning would be the best for 78rpm records

[@12voltvids]

I will have to try.

[@IS_CBR_2763]

Please don't do this to shellac records!

[@angelodagnolo984]

I put masking tape all over it, once the glue has dried, works wonders, try it Dave! 😉

[@12voltvids]

Yes I bet that would remove it easier. When I saw the engineer doing this I only saw him applying the glue because I worked the afternoon shift as Master control and he did it right at the start of my shift when he was going home for the night of course he starts work at 8:00 in the morning and I started at 3:00 in the afternoon so by the time I got on shift the records were back in the control room and all look like they are brand new. So he may have stuck some gaffer tape or duct tapers we like to call it over the glue and use that to pull the glue off because it's sticking tape on it would certainly pull it all off in one piece for sure.

[@TerryLawrence001]

There are a few records with multi grooves, Monty python did one and I believe so did the Beatles. :-)

[@12voltvids]

So you get surprise every time you drop the needle.

[@hansu-nihon]

Langley Secondary School Stage Band GLUE Edition!

[@greggaieck4119]

Restoring an old veiny record with wood glue is cool 12Voltvids is cool

[@SuperlativeCG]

I want to see what's inside.

[@EastAngliaUK]

never seen anyone else try this.

[@jonjamesCR]

use a credit card or expired gift card, then wash it off and reuse it

[@weerobot]

Wow..

[@Markkrochuk1979]

Are you in Canada?

[@12voltvids]

Yes

[@Markkrochuk1979]

@@12voltvids im near Niagara Falls

[@truck9moon100]

Sprayway, Wal-mart.$2.94. Takes less than a minute. I have cleaned well over a thousand 45's and LP's. Use a lint free cloth. You will Thank Me later !!!!

[@neiltonks]

Can someone put in an urgent call to Techmoan

[@diogenescaruaru]

I tried to do that on a couple of my old records and after the glue cured I could not remove it without totally destroying the discs. I don’t recommend

[@12voltvids]

Then you either used the wrong glue or didn't do it right

[@paulb4uk]

Great idea works really well .

[@12voltvids]

It does. As I mentioned I learned this from one of the engineers at the TV station I did an intern at. The records we used for production, opening titles closing credits etc we're always left sitting out are queued up on turntables with no covers collecting dust all day long and no one cleaned the records they just got filthy. So every so often when the engineers were bored did come and collect all the records at the end of the day take them into their office coat them all with glue let them sit overnight peel the glue off and then wash them and then bring them back the next morning so they're all nice and crackle and pop free for the next days production schedule. I've never done it though until this time because my records are all in pristine condition other than the ones that I've used for testing on my channel which we're typically beat up old records that I got from the TV station that worked at that were being thrown out like the focus record for example. But any records that I have in my collection are all in pretty good shape because they haven't been played since the 1980s. I used to take my records out and play them just to make a mixtape and then put them away and they were never played any other time so they were all like new. I still don't play them I have a couple turntables set up that I rarely use. Basically if someone gives me a record I'll put it on and listen to it and then put it away.

[@FoulOwl2112]

I always preferred the ol' wire brush and some MEK

[@davemonell9308]

I know that cleans but I worked in graphic arts industry. Printing press personal I knew and friends with died of various forms of cancer and OSHA and the EPA banned the use of it. I don't think it safe for use.

[@zulumax1]

@@davemonell9308 It is MPK now, less evaporation.

[@davemonell9308]

Ok cool I have 5000 records I use a record cleaning machine. I will be buy ultra sonic machine soon. The glue trick I heard of I try it on some beater records I have.

[@savvassidiropoulos5952]

@@davemonell9308 Trust me you don't want to process 5000 LPs using glue. Buy a 15lt 300W U/S machine - not one of the audiophile single LP ones - and make a rotisserie to process 10 LPs at a time. That will clean 10 LPs every 10 minutes or so and you will need to further process 2-3 out of 100 LPs using the RCM. If you use this process, you will find a few LPs that really need wood glue for restoration. Then you need to decide if getting another copy or cleaning them is the right option. By all means, experiment on some beater LPs first.

[@aufornvic]

It's vinyl, clean it, record it to digital, then throw it away.

[@12voltvids]

My vinyls have all been recorded to digital and sit on a shelf.

[@Hi-Tech-Ray]

LOL, I would not let a die hard vinyl collector see that! If they spent the time to clean it, they are going to keep it!

[@12voltvids]

@@Hi-Tech-Ray I have a small collection of vinyl. Never listen to it. Play the CD player all the time. More convenient and superrior sound no skipping or feedback or noise. Yes i get feedback if i crank it up. Big speakers shake the room and resonate into the turntable. That doesn't happen on CD.

[@dannyjanssens8985]

I think you waited a bit too long to peel it off

[@12voltvids]

It came off. I should have stuck some tape to it to pull off.

[@petenamlook18]

Wood glue (like Titebond) works better than white glue. It's more flexible and peels off in one piece easily without cracking and leaving little peices everywhere.

[@12voltvids]

This was wood glue i used.

[@PoppinWheeliez]

Not a fan of the glue method. I just lick them.

[@googleyoutubechannel8554]

LOL WHY KZbinRS WHY?!?! Of course this works, but WHY does every tuber video using the glue method show spreading the glue _directly on top of the turntable_ . It's like an actual psych experiment and we've identified a shared allele that causes someone to both post on YT and also have a specific type of brain damage. Amazing. (for those with this type of damage: there's no reason what-so-ever to get the glue anywhere near your turntable, for gods sake, just do it over some paper towels like a normal person)

[@12voltvids]

That's how we did it in the tv studio. Right over the table. I did it over mine because it's a junk table. I don't care about it. I was shown this trick in 1980. The turntable was used so it can spin and allow for even dispression. I think everyone doing this using an actual turntable is using an old beat up unit.

[@incompletefool9513]

You're getting sleepy..............zzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@slotec]

wonder who came up with this idea

[@12voltvids]

I saw it done by out broadcast engineer back in 81 when i was an intern at a local TV station. Believe it or not broadcasting was my first career choice.

[@ronaldwanders]

Total waste of time

[@12voltvids]

Trick i learned from a broadcast engineer.