Resurfacing Records to Sound New Again

Technology has improved a lot since the start of the digital revolution. So much so, that it's now possible to fully enjoy those 50 year old analog records once more.
Today's needles record cleaning brushes go deep into the record's groove, allowing your stylus to pick up every nuance of the original sound. Trouble is, old Goodwill store records are covered in gunk, gouges and scratches. Thus, hiding the music behind a curtain of noise. Deep cleaning is essential and new tools exist that can do that safely and inexpensively. But the scratches and gouges on that $1 yard sale treasure you just picked up will still tick away 33 1/3 times a minute, no matter how well it's cleaned.
So fasten your seat belts and learn how to erase those aggravations. The resurfacing and cleaning tools I use are unconventional and audiophile terrifying, but they're safe, inexpensive and easy to get.
FYI: Vinyl is used in a lot of everyday things. It's so tough, trash cans, fences and siding for homes are made from it. Dichloromethane, Methylethylkeytone and Touluene are the only known chemicals that can hurt it. So unless vinyl cement and paint stripper are on your record cleaning list, I wouldn't let anyone using 1960's rules distract you. Technology and creative thought have addressed all their concerns... As you will see.
Thanks to Stacy Holt, one more chemical that's not good for vinyl has been brought to my attention... Diethyl-meta-toluamide, more commonly known as "Deet", used in insect repellants. I should have known this, having ruined an expensive pair of binoculars while sailing. Thanks Stacy.

[@recordplayerz]

im always blown away when people take the time to make a video to help others and so many people feel comfortable being rude to him and coming of so arrogant and wise. easily done sitting behind a computer. give the guy a break he is brave enough to step up to the challenge.

[@hurkamur1]

RecordPlayerz.com "Help others" fk up their records.

[@limomangeno]

RecordPlayerz.com

[@vincentm1212]

you cur i have sanded some vg condition records and had improvements on sound quality with those but sanding hasn't worked on deeper scuffs for me so it can work, it just depends on how deep the scuff is

[@leiferickson9666]

Sounds very good.. L.E.

[@djzoloft]

Be blown all away as far as you want...and i've not been through the comments, but yours was first and i agree people should not be arrogant!, but this is about being wise and this is not it!

[@chabka34]

guys stop hating on him all he is doing is trying is trying to give a ruined record one last shot at life this is obviously not a tutorial on how to treat your record collection you should stop judging it that way

[@chabka34]

the way I see it he sacrificed some quality for a playable record

[@panicBoydotcom]

I don't even hear any quality loss.

[@BruceKinsey]

chabka34: Thank you for this. The video is old, has terrible audio, way too long and amateurish. It needs to be replaced, but I doubt it'll be me doing it. I'm delighted to see more people are beginning to understand it and maybe someone with videographer skills can make a better one. Physics predicts that decreasing the groove's depth will also begin degrading the sound. lower registers first... But, 1. My hearing doesn't go as low as vinyl is capable of going, and 2. That part of the groove has already been destroyed anyway, so that sound is already long gone. I've experimented with removing up to 50 % of the surface and noticed the more I removed, the more it sounded like an mp3. So in real life terms, there shouldn't be any observable difference in sound quality between resurfaced and non-resurfaced areas of the record.

[@mikek.4211]

It worked! That’s all that matters.

[@51gary51]

Good job, Bruce!

[@jonneville2287]

One thing that wasn't mentioned is fixing a record that jumps grooves because of a deep scratch. If you obtain a high magnification loupe (photographic), at least 8-10x, you can see the offending scratch, and judge which way the scratch is angling across the grooves. Using a sewing needle at a roughly 45 degree angle, gently press into the groove and rotate the platter in the opposite direction of record rotation so the needle moves across the scratch. Several passes will be required. Test after each time to see if the stylus still jumps. I've fixed many charity shop gems this way. Then using the fine sandpaper as above to remove the tick should do it. Thanks for the vid.

[@Disabled-adventures]

Hi this is old I know but why do you use a needle? Wouldn’t that scratch in the groove? I’ve been thinking to try this but with a sharp end toothpick. Is a sewing needle better? Am I not fully understanding what the needle actually does?

[@anthonybellocchi7740]

Been

[@ldeemou]

Wow, watched the whole video spellbound (cringing at moments) but I have to admit that it sure resulted in one quiet record. Hats off to you for your courage in experimenting with this technique, because I doubt I would have had the guts to work this out myself.

[@BruceKinsey]

Thank you Danny... You're the first person to endorse this technique first hand. Most are too skeptical and nervous (who wouldn't be) to actually take something that's destructive and use it on a treasured record. Thank you for the courage to use it, and thank you again for posting your results.

[@karmacharmskittens]

Wow I am so glad I found this post. I have my dad's record collection which hold incredible sentimental value. As a child I am sure I was responsible for causing some of those scratches 🙄 I look forward to trying out your methods to make them playable once more...cheers!

[@tomgray6093]

Whatever works for you I say, I remember washing dirty records in the kitchen sink with a little washing up liquid and warm water. They came out clean and ready for another party ! I still play those old records today and they sound great.

[@charlottewhyte9804]

that does work,truelly just make sure the record is completely dry.

[@ijuggle42]

I wash every used record I buy with warm water and a little dawn detergent. Never ever have I had a problem. Vinyl records are a lot more forgiving and tougher than audiophiles think.

[@howardowens721]

At one of my area record shops, they had a copy of Graham Parker's Squeezing Out Sparks in the bargain bin for $3. This was a high-priority wantlist item. It was dirty, full of fingerprints, and a long scratch on side 2. After hemming and hawing, I decided, what the hell? $3. When I got it home, I washed it in the sink and dried it with a microfiber cloth. Once dried it was nice and shinney. The only visible flaw was that long scratch on side 2. When I played it, it played at NM. The scratch wasn't even audible. That said -- I'm going to try this method on a couple of records I've set aside to donate to the thrift store. I just ordered all the products from Amazon.

[@gaae2000]

Definitely sounds better than before. Great tip!

[@everydaybrad2773]

This was fantastic to watch. Thanks for taking the time and effort!

[@simulacra007]

So..aged 40 and this happens the first ever vinyl record I've bought. After watching this video last night and hearing Just A Gigolo for the first time I couldn't get that stunning first 30 seconds or so out of my head..so today I purchased myself a Dutch mono copy in outstanding condition on ebay. I can't wait for it to arrive so I can play it to death! Lost my old man last year and inherited a Technics SL 1800 Mk2 along with a gorgeous prog rock/soul record collection. Had the turntable restored and I think this will be the perfect record to christen it with. Think I may have got the bug..here goes any hope of future savings for retirement (though I'd take poverty any day as long as I have music like this!)

[@edyoung6573]

Well what can I say, you can't argue with the results, it sounded way better!!! Funny reading all the comments! People freaking out over your process. I must be honest though when you busted out the sand paper and Goo Gone I was like WTF!!! but I sat through the whole video because I just had to hear the results and it sounded great! What ever works for you! You worked out that scratch and the record sounded good!!! People can be so mean btw!! Take care bro!!

[@nikooooooooooooooooooo]

absolutely it has good result, can't deny it... why people freak out, i mean if its darkside of the moon first press, yes you could freak out first ~ LMFAO

[@crunchyfrog555]

The thing is instant results are all very well but there's MANY problems here and they ain't good. The results are clear if correct. But you should NEVER use stuff like sandpaper on a record, not so much for what it does to the sound, but the detritus it leaves behind. When a record plays, the needle heats the record up (because the size of the needle is tiny versus the pressure concerned). This means any detritus present either on the needle or in the groove gets stuck. Furthermore, the material used in sandpaper is a great way to wear your stylus out VERY quickly. Lastly using solvents on or detergents on vinyl is also an awful idea long term. Again, might not do instant damage but it will long term. You have residues you can't see and so on. So the problem here is not "oh hey it sounds great" but if you don't understand how things work, you don't know the damage you are doing.

[@mallenbiker]

@@crunchyfrog555 cleaning the grooves after the sand paper step removes the detritus

[@jaynecampbell4396]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to make this video ;)

[@SirPogo83]

Came across your videos while looking at cleaning method and repairs to vinyl. Great work. I love that you incorporated some instructables as well. GJ!

[@BruceKinsey]

6,000 views and you're the ONLY one to pick this up... You are truly awesome. Thanks, Chadergeist.

[@elisasuperiordork6755]

I was really surprised about the sandpaper, but then I realized what you were up to and it made sense. Regardless, everything really did seem to improve the condition until it sounded almost perfect. Truly remarkable, it's a shame that very few people stuck around after the sandpaper to see what actually happened.

[@mikegross6107]

I never thought about using a lint remover roller but will definitely try it on the next dirty record! Thanks for the hints and work you went through to educate people on saving our vinyls!

[@71Fenderv22]

Thank you for the video. Good work on giving that old record some more life...

[@joanbrunton267]

Well done, and well presented; I enjoyed it very much. I've done a lot of spraying and then detailing of auto finishes and am pleased as punch to find that I'm already holding a lot of knowledge for this job thanks to you.

[@narta11]

I love this. The proof is in the results no matter what these audiophiles cry about. Excellent work.

[@rictrexell2118]

I thought I was the only person in the world to have that little anvil. I put it in my lunch box one day when I went to work and complained to the guys that my lunch box felt like it had an anvil in it. I then took it out and the guys laughed at it.

[@ArcadeCabNBud]

you did a really good job on that record mate, thanks so much for sharing your wisdom

[@yurimpala]

Amazing Job!!! I saw your turntable Instructables last year and now I am greatfull to see this video too! Thanks

[@BruceKinsey]

+Yuri Bevilacqua Sorry for the length.

[@georgemusic4all4seasons]

This was a very interesting video and I thank you for the information. Great job!!!!

[@simonspratt6208]

Bravo!!! 👏😀 You have inspired me to restore vinyl records. I purchased a National Panasonic SG-3060L, which I am repairing. The backlight for the radio tuner display is not lighting up, and the cassette deck is seized up. That's really minor; because the system is in absolute pristine condition. A brown tag on the system, indicates that it was kept in a stock room for the last twenty five years. What a find!! 😀👍 Your technique for restoring the sound quality, and fidelity, of vinyl records is so superior that I'm sharing it with a major KZbinr; he goes by the name of Technomoan. Very Best Regards, Simon

[@mercible]

And thank you for showing the mechanics. I already knew that you could wet sand a paint job on a car to remove minor imperfections in the paint and then buff to a mirror shine. I never thought to use it on a vinyl record. But after seeing your demonstration, it made perfect sense. I also bought some blue hard tack and goo gone to help with cleaning of my other records and it works beautifully. Again, thanks for putting your ideas on video for us all.

[@larryvest4597]

Well done. I learned a few new tricks to try. Thanks.

[@BruceKinsey]

Thank you all for comments good and bad. FYI: I've started calling the technique "resurfacing", as it isn't so scary sounding. I keep threatening to make another, shorter, more professional video... But don't hold your breath.

[@dsonyay]

Ive been doing this same thing for many years. It's the only way to save a ruined record. I'm going to try the goo gone as you did. I've heard of its use for vinyl often, just never tried it. I dont have the pressure washer you use. Interested in that

[@dsonyay]

Btw.. thanks for posting this.. it's a very good tutorial. 5 🌟

[@electricchurchmusic4298]

I once use a liquer named "clean your vinyl" in the middle of the 70´s, it totally destroyed those vinyl, can i repear those, you think ?

[@francoc5900]

I wish I had seen this earlier. I held my breath and now I'm dead.

[@bfatdog]

Thanks for the upload im going to try it step by step.

[@davarosmith1334]

You done a gid job with that record! Well done!

[@mr_spoons]

There is something satisfying about these sort of methods and the results.

[@NoosaHeads]

Surprising. I thought the polishing compound would ruin the record but the treatment sounds like it worked. Anything that saves a record from being thrown out is worth a shot.

[@xuser48]

The polishing compound (well, even the sand paper) just works the top surface. The applicator does not fit in the grooves, so it won't be polishing the grooves.

[@makssquivias2118]

It is the most incredible method I have ever seen to fix an LP. I was able to make my Iron Bitterfly album, which was literally a mess, look like new. And now it's like it came from the factory, I owe you my life brother

[@Lcaceres74]

Thanks so much for this video! i'm currently cleaning my record collection and i have so many scratches. Thanks again for the video!

[@BruceKinsey]

+Lcaceres74 Thank you for the kind words. When I first published this, it seemed all I was getting were criticisms that what I was doing was ruining records and it didn't get rid of the dirt or crackles. Came to find out, these were from audiophiles who've never had to deal with scratches and most likely thought I was promoting a new cleaning method. It's comments like yours that make me regret not looking at KZbin comments. I'll have to do it more often. Thank you

[@trystrat]

Helped a lot!

[@antstep1030]

Appreciate this, thanks!

[@TheBrutiss]

Excellent work my friend.

[@stillwater62]

Needless to say, but my butt was drawn up so tight you could not drive a nail in it, while watching you work on that record. But, I was truly impressed with the results. Although I will never be brave enough to do what you did in the video, my knowledge has been vastly expanded on record repair.

[@christurner1226]

Awesome, thanks!

[@Bunbunfunfun]

Not only enjoyed but have to say bravo!!! That was amazing . I have a lot of questions lol.

[@CHIBA280CRV]

Wow that is amazing , you got a new follower sir . I will look on instructibles for your items. Thanks

[@themadcoachman]

Can’t Believe you sanded and car polished the record

[@Silent.Stacker]

Certainly some unorthodox techniques, but you can’t argue with the wonderful results. Next time I find a coveted title that is rough like yours, I’m going to use some of your techniques. Thanks for the video.

[@thisisfitz731]

Brilliant. Thanks

[@836dmar]

Awesome work! Making the most from the least is what it’s all about sometimes. Rant: You could provide laboratory test results showing no damage physically or chemically over a 200 yrs period and “verbal experts” would still say its worse than leaving it scratched and jumping. That’s how important it is for them to feel good with another’s success. Likely they don’t possess the tenacity or abilities to do what you’ve demonstrated so criticism preserves their self esteem. I’m impressed by your efforts. Adds to the knowledge base.

[@themusicdandy7844]

Thanks for the video. Really interesting technique, I'll have to give it a go,

[@NEON80]

The strangest way of cleaning the scratches, but it works!... I have to try it, I will make a video about this. Thanks for sharing.

[@MASTERVETEAM4]

I found this video really interesting. Obviously, I would never use that on my main collection or in VG+ records, but I was surprised how well it turned out. I inherited records but some of them are so rough shape, I wouldn't even put them on my second TT. I am looking to "repair them" as I hate to throw a record. Thanks for the video.

[@snooze0023]

Yeah i just went back to the original and you worked magic on that record. Ive got a whole crate of 50 cent records from garage sales that this method might actually make them playable again. Cheers

[@wallyitcom]

Excellent results. I likes the blocking the vinyl with the compound stick. Many will be timid and afraid to try this, only because some ignorant records salesman says it's silly. If blocking is safe for delicate paint on a $300,000 automobile, I think a much cheaper hard piece of vinyl can deal with it. The sanding is good idea also, however, wrapping it around a rubber block may help in not putting excessive wear in unwanted area, even though that's hard to do with 1500 grit. may I suggest 2000 grit. Grats on your excellent and novel approach to resurfacing. For anyone information, I have 15 years experience in resurfacing surfaces for $25,000 glass windows to high end automobile, I consider myself a god dam expert in this field.

[@dalevackar182]

excellent video thanks

[@lotsaringwear2937]

Excellent video. Will try one day, Thanks

[@kenneths9522]

Hello Bruce, Thanks for posting the very cool video! I'm inspired to try your techniques, what a great approach to salvaging scratched records. Could you please share what material you are using for the polishing pad? Again, thanks!

[@nicksvinylbutty5488]

Great jaunty tune you were playing 👍👍👍

[@Projacked1]

Absolutely love this video , my balls crept up a bit in the beginning but I'm fine now ... Also love the steamcleaner ideas from others, works very well .... In your case good rinsing is key , technically it should work ... the paste doesn't move IN the grooves when rubbing it , it's pushed down or sideways , when pushed it also probably won't 'polish' the groove itself ... the pressure is on top , where it's needed most , only tension forces of the paste itself are working in the grooves . Been thinking long and hard about this , and it's freaking awesome brother ..... Thx for showing us new ways ....

[@BruceKinsey]

Thank you very much for the great comment.. "My balls crept up a bit"... LMAO. I've been thinking about the paste as well. It's expensive, works only in small areas and it's messy. I'm betting that 2000 or 3000 grit paper would do as well or better. Problem is, 1) I don't have that grade paper & 2) I don't have any albums with scratches at the moment. So I won't be able to try it for a while to see how it works.

[@darensweeney5925]

@@BruceKinsey look for paper used to smooth fountain pen nibs. you can get them up to 12000 grit.

[@richardgrenfell5829]

I am amazed how many people missed the point of this vid. The album was already rooted so really there was nothing to lose. I am going to try this out on some clunkers from the charity shop.

[@TheZooman22]

I agree... its fun to watch. I liked the record washer.

[@tomasmartinsolis9020]

Richard Grenfell Can you tell me all the products that you use to restore the record

[@johnbravo7542]

Richard,you gotta be an Aussie

[@cbranalli]

very impressive result !

[@joevanduerm9428]

Well done Bruce.

[@angbernardo]

Yeas buddy 🤘🏽🤘🏽🤘🏽 I’d like to thank the original owner of this album for giving Bruce some online content for all of us to enjoy

[@nomiclas]

Probably sounds better than when first released.Nice job.

[@BruceKinsey]

+St Pauli Thank you

[@pcallas66]

The only thing that I would have been concerned about is the Goo Gone compromising the glue for the stylus tip. Other than that, this is very impressive. Great video!!! Thank you for sharing.

[@BruceKinsey]

You've made one error here. This album was one I picked up from the local junk shop. It was already ruined. Cleaning albums is a personal choice of what works. What I've done here is not about cleaning, but scratch removing. Scratches are what ruin LPs. Until now, once an album was scratched, the only option was to find a new one. I've given people who don't want to, or can't find new recordings, another option, so they don't have to listen to the ticks of those "ruined" records.

[@djluminol]

I need this bad so I'm definitely appreciative of the effort. Most of my music is pretty limited release to begin with. Then you throw in how dj's treat their vinyl. Record bag sitting in the desert for 3 days, add 20 years, a bunch of plays, maybe a couple owners and you get some really messed up records you can't readily replace. I've tried treating my records well but there's no getting around what the desert does to a record. I've had moths get stuck under my tone arm while playing before. Imagine that dust in the groove of a record. Tiny little microscopic hairs from a moth. It's murder. I'll take any hair brained idea to restore a record and give it a go. If it works I'll keep it. If not than it's back to good will for another test case. Just for perspective I belong to a reddit group for old music. I wanted to post these 7 limited release records I have last night so other people knew they existed. 5 of the seven were not online at all. 3 of those 5 had no Discogs entry. So if I can save those records than I'll be happy dude. Because I sure as hell won't be likely to be able to replace them. On a side note do you find that the wax helps the stylus to glide over imperfections? Is that the idea there? Same basic idea as car paint I'd imagine. Fill in the tiny little scratches with wax.

[@loicbruyneel9754]

@@djluminol what reddit group is it? I'm interested.

[@djluminol]

@@loicbruyneel9754 r/ClassicTrance

[@sarahbond9196]

I actually really enjoyed this. My mom gave me all her old records and Kenwood system, that I grew up listening to and they need to be cleaned and resurfaced. Is there a way to clean my turntable, as well? This helps so much. Thank you for taking the time.

[@MarcelVanHoekElvis]

Great Good Job Well Done!!!

[@BruceKinsey]

Great Question: It removes grime. It contains things that are not too good for natural materials, but vinyl isn't natural, and isn't affected. It takes a while to evaporate, but that gives it time to loosen the impacted stuff at the bottom of the grooves and is far quicker and cheaper than wood glue. I use a micro cleaning cloth to spread and wipe the Goo Gone, wait for it to dry and apply cleaning solution normally to flush out any residual Goo Gone. Use it only once. After that you're set.

[@mrshelfsong]

I quite enjoyed this Bruce. A few years back when I was converting my records to digital, I would flood the record with distilled water and let it play wet for the recording process. I only did this for the really bad records, but, it sure did a nice job.

[@BruceKinsey]

+mrshelfsong I did the same thing, but further back in time... But what's distilled water? J I don't know what made it work, but it may have something to do with the water lubricating it all. Any dust or static noise would disappear and (small) scratches would be muted. I don't know what it was doing to the frequency response of the tapes I was making, but with the speakers I could afford back then, it didn't matter.

[@officialpitusbeatz]

Love this vid, cause it's empirical... Usually a lot of guys talk talk talk....and there's no music reference and about before/after. Good work Bruce ;)

[@user-yn4jp4ne8k]

based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.

[@BruceKinsey]

+Ellis Flava Aw, geez. Thanks guys

[@paulbryans1732]

I love that you don't give up on a record with a bad scratch, You made that album great again, too many people would have turfed that poor album, glad to see that you are not one of those

[@BruceKinsey]

Thank you

[@mannye]

Great video! I can't wait to try this stuff out! I love the trolls that have nothing better to do than argue a point of view without ever trying out the method. Thanks for taking the time to document and post.

[@Emily-uw5tt]

Do you have plans or a build guide for the high pressure washer? I love that thing!

[@SteuSax666]

Great! You're a genius! THX!

[@BruceKinsey]

+Astor Mingus Thank YOU

[@andrewroberts744]

This is one of the most entertaining videos and associated comments I have seen! Stuck with the video...... my jaw dropped lower and lower as I watched .... and the comments are amazing..... what a range of views.......I’m still not sure whether the video was serious or a complete wind up! But well done for putting it ‘out there’ and generating so much commentary! 😂💿

[@BruceKinsey]

Thank you for your perspective. Every year or two, this gets picked up by one well viewed source or another and views increase exponentially as well as comments. More people have been trying this with most reporting positive results. Those who think I’m destroying records are most likely collectors who either don’t have scratched records or don’t want to risk their collection value. I’d rather hear the pure music, but understand others’ priorities can be different. GoodWill records aren’t as cheap as they used to be, so the difference in price between a trashed bargain and a good EBay deal may not be as great. I still come across not so pristine garage sale finds that can’t be dismissed tho.

[@muskymcg]

Top job...sounds better than a CD...ta for video

[@marsattacks7071]

You took risk and you achieved a very nice result ! Thanks !

[@BruceKinsey]

+Eric D. Thank you Eric

[@franktechniek]

Dear Bruce, thanks for sharing this. What a great idea to use sandpaper 1500. Al my records are stored (sorry about that) but there is one there with a very nasty scratch that I tried to fix some ~25 years ago, poking and stroking with a sharp needle trying to straighten the grooves again. Made it only worse of course. I'm going to find some of that fine sandpaper and try again. Fantastic video! Thanks again ;-)

[@BruceKinsey]

Thank you Frank. Sorry the video is so long. Eventually, I'll be making another video (shorter... Much shorter) containing only the necessary bits. I'd also like to experiment with 2000/3000 grit sandpapers to bring the record's gloss back. If you've dug deeply into the track with your needle, you may be disappointed. Sandpaper only cleans up the interface between the groove's sides and lands that have been destroyed with the phonograph's needle. If your needle didn't destroy the information in the groove and only plowed vinyl above and into the groove's upper part (which is where most damage usually occurs), it should be repairable with sandpaper. Good luck.

[@jjcale2288]

Just one mention, I always clean a vinyl *before* putting it on a turntable. Aside of that, hats off!

[@RobTheTrojanSkin]

Starts off as a G- ends at VG.... Great video!!!

[@albanksotters]

Not sure I'd do all the steps but well done for being innovative. I 'save' loads of records. PVA glue is my weapon of choice but I always do the minimum to bring a record back to life. I've still got a few with bad pops and clicks so may try being more adventurous. Thanks for sharing your ideas and experience.

[@leon9021]

Pretty cool to see how the tests work out, even though Ill probably never sand my records ;^)

[@BruceKinsey]

Hi bobskie. The anvil is there for weight. It reduces the effects of warping, which records are prone to and adds a bit of mass to the turntable. Most weights are as you described, round, with no identifying features. I went the other way and used the anvil, which belonged to my dad. The block portion is a turned block of wood, with felt on the bottom. Weights don't have to be all that heavy, but heavier weights will help keep the turntable rotating at a constant speed. Mine's there to help keep the record flat.

[@chrisguygeezer]

Bruce Kinsey I've never put weights on my decks. Most of my albums are still as flat as when I bought them 45 years ago. Its all down to record/storage care.

[@aliasghar907]

thx bro 4 sharin ur experience..

[@nigelwaterhouse9905]

Nice! What grades of diamond paste did you use and what is the rubber from? Are you able to get the 'gloss' back after the sanding?

[@arcturusbbqsausagemaking2435]

Great video, What is the little cleaning container you dropped your Stylus in

[@vernlew]

Bruce, you utilized some very unconventional methods of restoring records...I would try these extreme measures on a hard to find record to make it playable...great video!

[@BruceKinsey]

Thank you for all the comments. I truly would like the process of refinishing the surface of record albums to catch on. It has allowed me to save many GoodWill records from the junk pile. To answer someoneelse101's question about what I was using to clean my needle, I placed a wad of "blue tack", the stuff parents use to hang their kids' artwork on the refrigerator. Unlike a brush, where the force on the needle and arm is shear, the blue tack pulls vertically, taking any dust along with it.

[@BruceKinsey]

RE: BluTac Sometimes there will be a bit of residue, which is easily seen. But touching the larger mass to the bit on the record cleans it up. I've never had an issue with it being left in the groove.

[@someoneelse101]

1500 Grit? Hmm. Must try that on some records that either got scratched when they were dropped or have scratches that are causing a loop. By the way, what are you using to clean the stylus?

[@kozkoz7776]

That was amazing Wow I own a NITTY GRITTY. record cleaning machine that was modified and those tips are going to come in handy BIG THUMBS UP

[@garthdrake3220]

I was laughing at first. I'm not laughing now. Nice job.

[@swadetrackz]

hey bruce, i am very impressed with your method. i will like to try it! can you please give me the names of the tools used in the video?- the roller, sand paper, and the thing you used to apply the rubbing compound, crbon fiber brush. Thank you sir.

[@periurban]

I must admit I thought you were crazy! But you got a great result.

[@icemanlol119]

sounds awesome

[@BruceKinsey]

Thanx

[@williambooth3067]

I just use common liquid dish soap and I drizzle a few streams on both sides of the lp....with lukewarm water and a very soft cloth or in some cases I will swirl the palm of my hand in a circular motion and gently work the soap into the grooves...trying to not get the paper label too soaked...then rinse and shake gently to remove all the soap....if the grooves are in great shape the water will pour from the lp...if that will then be as good as new...this has worked for me

[@bennyandersen742]

Quite fun to watch, surprisingly good results, I am trying out the glue method myself, the results vary, but sometimes it works pretty well, did you rescue the entire record?

[@realjaxon]

So much better than the beginning. I wonder if the sandpaper step is needed.

[@Tom-Lahaye]

I would use all of these methods except for the polishing compound, unless you have a really scratched up record. It will remove scratches but probably does remove some detail in the sound as well, especially highs.

[@ajedesign]

Bruce, this is highly unorthodox, but highly effective for a record that in it's original abused form would have ruined a perfectly good stylus. It is certainly one way to salvage an otherwise unusable album. Thanks.

[@BruceKinsey]

Thank you. Note that I use a beater cartridge when doing this. Afterwards the good stuff is used :)

[@paulkrasner]

As I was cleaning out my basement, my son saw that I had many boxes of LP's from the 60's and 70's. Almost all were in mint conditions but one or two classics had minor scratches. We are selling them on Discogs and I'll try your technique on some that I consider classics but with minor scratches. My son says the value goes up dramatically without a visible scratch

[@stevewestwood4832]

Great “save”. Worth all the effort 👍

[@hectormendez3572]

The tab water and the sand paper was an eye opener, but I must admit the recorded sounded way better than it did before.

[@EVSNLX]

ok bruce thank you for answer me. one question more What are you using to apply the compound??