Vinyl records are officially back, but truth be told, they never really went away. They’ve outlasted the iPod, cassettes, and even CDs. A new generation is discovering the charm of vinyl, and it’s never been more accessible to buy records and start collecting if you’re interested.
But the challenge of collecting vintage records is how to store, organize, and maintain them. As a collector, you would want to show off your top picks and hot finds, so this guide can help you keep the quality of your vinyl records pristine.
How Vinyl Records Are Made
It helps to know how vinyl records are designed so you can better appreciate them and take care of them the right way.
When vinyl records and record players arrived, there arose a need for technology to mass-produce the original recordings, referred to as masters. While this technology has evolved over the years, it’s still used to create the records you enjoy at home.
Every vinyl record is essentially a reproduction of an original master copy of an album. This master copy serves as the blueprint for all subsequent copies. A precise lathe machine carves grooves into a lacquer master, and these grooves produce sound when a record player’s needle reads them. This process is repeated for both sides of a vinyl record. The lacquer masters for sides A and B are then prepared for large-scale duplication.
Using electroplating, a lacquer master is duplicated into a format that can endure the demands of mass production. These electroplated duplicates of the master are called stampers. The stampers are pressed onto hot vinyl using hydraulic force. Each pressed stamper copy is then trimmed and molded into a vinyl record.
It shows that both the vinyl’s sides must be maintained and preserved to keep it working perfectly.
Optimal Conditions for Your Vinyl Record Collection
Surprisingly, one of the world’s most extensive vinyl record collections belongs to the US government, housed in the archives of the Library of Congress. These are their recommendations for storing vinyl records:
- Temperature – Store vinyl records in a cool, dry place. Ideal conditions range from room temperature (15-25°C) or below. Keep records away from heat sources like radiators, baseboard heaters, wood stoves, or fireplaces.
- Pressure – Always stack vinyl records vertically. Avoid stacking them on top of each other, as the weight can lead to severe warping.
- Light – Never place vinyl records on a windowsill. Exposure to direct sunlight or intense light sources, such as ultraviolet light, can quickly damage records.
- Humidity – Effective storage demands a relatively dry environment with minimal moisture for your vinyl record collection.
How to Store Your Vinyl Records
Properly storing your vinyl collection is crucial to maintaining its quality. Here are some fundamental tips for keeping your records:
- Vertical storage: Avoid the risk of damage by finding a suitable storage unit that allows your albums to stand neatly in a line. Always store your records vertically; never stack them. Stacking exerts too much weight, leading to warping, which can affect the record’s spinning performance. Also, horizontal storage makes it hard to retrieve records that are placed underneath.
- Outer Sleeves: Keep your vinyl record album covers in their original outer plastic sleeves. However, consider replacing the paper ones with anti-static inner sleeves for the inner sleeves to prevent print-through.
- Avoid milk crates: While tempting due to their low price and popularity, milk crates are flexible and can bend under the weight of records, causing stress and potential warping. They may also damage record sleeves.
- Get a sturdy shelf: Choose a sturdy shelving that can handle the weight. It doesn’t have to break the bank – you can repurpose existing storage in your home, like a bookshelf, to create a perfect spot for a long line of LPs. Vinyl collections average about 35 pounds per shelf foot, so ensure your shelves can support this weight to prevent collapse. Install fixed dividers every few inches on the shelf to support the entire face of each record in its sleeve.
- Consider quality storage options: Some collectors prefer dedicated storage units that accommodate a turntable and speakers, providing an all-in-one solution for your vinyl gear. Companies like IKEA offer excellent modular vinyl storage options, allowing you to add more shelves as your collection grows.
Displaying and Organizing Your Vinyl Collection
When you own physical copies of your favorite albums, they can serve more than just an auditory purpose. Records can be fantastic additions to your home decor. Records add a unique touch to your living space, whether on hanging shelves, arranged in a grid on a bookshelf, or individually framed on your wall.
The beauty of using records for decoration lies in their versatility. Easily swap them out to refresh your home’s ambiance. Display album jackets currently on heavy rotation while keeping the records accessible for listening. Remember to have protective sleeves on hand to shield LPs from scratches and dust during their time on display.
Here are some efficient organizational options you can try:
- Alphabetical by artist’s name: Classic and straightforward – organize your records alphabetically by the band or artist’s last name for easy retrieval.
- Genre: This is when you’re in a specific mood but not thinking of a particular artist. Organize by genre, allowing your eyes to dance over spines until one catches your attention. Then, organize within genres alphabetically.
- Record Label: For the true record aficionado, organizing per record label is a classy move. Categorize your collection by labels like Merge, Kill Rock Stars, or Capitol to uniquely make sense of your music collection.
You may also want to use Discogs to organize your collection. It serves as a marketplace, social media platform, and encyclopedia for records and other physical media formats. One of Discogs’ most valuable features is its ability to help you manage your record collection. Its extensive database includes details about different pressings and releases of the same record. The site can also provide estimates of your collection’s value as it grows and certain pressings become more scarce.
As a marketplace, a helpful tip is to check which record stores in your area list their inventory on Discogs. You can then contact these stores directly to make purchases over the phone. This approach allows you to avoid shipping fees and potentially negotiate discounts if you’re local. Some places adjust the prices on Discogs to account for seller fees and shipping costs.
Essential Vinyl Record Care Tips
Every vinyl enthusiast should have a set of tools at their disposal to ensure their precious records receive the care they deserve. Building and tending to a record collection requires dedication and effort, but the time and resources you invest will be rewarded in the long run. Properly maintaining your records instills a sense of ownership for the music you cherish and ensures their enjoyment for many decades to come.
Here are some tips to maintain your vinyl record collection:
1. Use protective sleeves
Proper storage is a must. Many collectors opt to place each vinyl in a protective sleeve. These sleeves safeguard records from dust, dirt, and other contaminants and can also be used to protect records lacking their original jackets.
2. Be gentle
When it comes to caring for your records, a gentle touch is crucial. Vinyl is delicate, as are other components like the jacket, sleeve, and any inserts. Each of these elements should be handled with care and regularly cleaned.
3. Get a vinyl cleaning materials
Any vinyl record collector must have a vinyl cleaning brush. This specialized brush comes equipped with bristles designed to remove dust and dirt from your records and can even help buff out minor scratches. If you plan to collect vintage records, having a reliable brush is essential for restoring them to the best possible condition.
Besides this brush, you should also own:
- Anti-static brush: A must-have tool is an anti-static brush. Make it a practice to run the brush over your records each time you play them. This helps remove dust and grime from the tiny grooves without causing any damage.
- Carbon-fiber brush: Purchase a carbon-fiber brush to get dust out of the records effectively. Use a delicate touch to avoid scratching the vinyl. Place the edge of the brush on the record, sweep the dust toward yourself, and remove any excess with the back of the brush. Repeat until the record is dust-free.
- Microfiber cloth: After using the anti-static brush, a simple wipe with a microfiber cloth removes the remaining dirt and protects the record from skin oils.
The best way to maintain cleanliness is to brush before each listening session quickly. This regular upkeep minimizes the need for an extensive, time-consuming cleaning session.
4. Start early
As soon as your collection begins, make a habit of regular maintenance. Keep your vinyl records clean and dust-free from the start.
5. Consider buying a record-cleaning machine
If you can afford it, invest in a record-cleaning machine. While it may be a bit pricey, it is effective in deep cleaning and preserving your vinyl for decades. Spread cleaning liquid over the record, and the machine’s vacuum will remove accumulated grime.
6. Use wood glue
For a more budget-friendly approach, use wood glue and a spreading stick. Pour a generous amount of wood glue over the entire surface, let it dry for 24 hours, and then peel it off to remove accumulated grit.
7. Deep clean as needed
For times when a quick brush and wipe won’t suffice and your vinyl needs a more thorough clean, consider these simple steps to maintain your collection’s optimal condition.
- Fill a bowl with warm water—ensure it’s not hot to prevent vinyl damage. Add a specialized cleaning solution or soluble soap sparingly, mixing it well into the water.
- Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution and, using one finger, gently rub the record’s surface, avoiding the label. Follow the groove in one direction before repeating in the opposite direction.
- Repeat step 2 as needed, ensuring that the solution once it becomes dirty.
- When satisfied with the cleanliness, use plain distilled water to wipe both sides of the record for a final rinse.
Many collectors prefer using distilled water only, as tap water impurities can deposit dirt in record grooves, and some cleaning products may leave a residue. If opting for a commercial cleaning product, carefully read the label and avoid those containing alcohol, which can remove the protective coating on the record’s surface.
8. Consider restoration methods
Consider restoration methods if cleaning doesn’t suffice and your records have scratches. A more aggressive approach involves lightly sanding the records, but this should be a last-resort measure.
Restoring Damaged Vinyl Records
When a record accumulates dirt, dust, or scratches, it can adversely affect its sound quality. The needle of your turntable moves through the grooves of a spinning record, and any interruptions from scratches or debris can disrupt the smooth playback of the album. Some scratches are deep enough to render a description unplayable, while others may degrade the sound quality, introducing unwanted noise and occasional disruptions.
Dealing with a notably dirty or damaged vinyl record requires specific steps to restore it to a listenable condition. Start by gently dry brushing both sides of the record along its grooves. Dry brushing helps remove surface debris without causing further damage. It’s also effective in buffing out small scratches, though larger, deeper scratches may require more intensive attention.
Using a record-cleaning solution is the next best step for deeper dirt and damage. Apply a small amount of the solution using a specialized cloth to clean the record. This step follows dry brushing and serves as a precursor to more substantial scratch-removal efforts.
There are limited DIY repair options when faced with severe scratches that make a record nearly unplayable. Some collectors have tried using a toothpick to remove debris embedded in damaged areas on the record’s surface. Others apply wood glue to record scratches, allowing it to dry before peeling it off to even out the surface.
However, both methods carry the risk of causing further damage. If you’re unsure about handling severe damage, it’s often best to err on the side of caution and avoid attempting repairs.
Takeaway
Remember, the journey of record collecting doesn’t need an extensive collection or a top-of-the-line turntable from the start. Take it slow, savor the process of discovering new LPs, and enjoy the enduring appeal of vinyl as a format. If you haven’t embarked on the vinyl train yet, now is the perfect time to start.