Phonoland

I recently bought a box of about 50 old Victrola 78's and there is some awesome music on them, but they are really filthy. It's like they were stored in a dust collector for the last 80 years.

What is the best method for really cleaning them well?

Thanks!

A lot of us just use soap & water, but here's a previous 3 page discussion on the subject.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1305

Old post but thought I would just comment here about how I clean records, any size or speed. A record can come from who knows where with nicotene, food, liquids, cat hair, grease, dust, dirt (I've got them looked like mud), etc. I use diluted Dawn or one of the other types in spray bottle, an extra 4-speed record changer, and a 2 " soft bristle paint brush. Operate the changer at 78 rpm, control your spray, apply pressure as needed with brush, get close to label, work the mess toward outside of record, absorb with paper towels, rinse with water, wipe label very lightly with wet soft rag (my old cotton t-shirts) and dry. Some real bad ones do twice. Fast and painless. I would never play a record with a needle for the purpose of cleaning.

Oh, ---- Now you tell me ! I have used my turntable and a half dollar coin, set on the tone arm for added weight, with a steel needle for years, to clean records--- Ron Rich