Repairing Guides

how to repair vinyl record covers

by Dr. Chandler Douglas PhD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to Repair Vintage Vinyl Record Covers

  1. How to Repair Vintage Vinyl Record Covers. These are the materials that are needed to complete this task.
  2. This is what a vintage vinyl record with seam splitting will look like at the beginning of our project.
  3. Wet the top of the cover with a damp microfiber cloth.
  4. Apply the Mod Podge to the foam brush.
  5. Apply the Mod Podge to the top of the cover.
  6. Press the cover together with your fingers, allowing excess glue to be pushed to the top of the cover.
  7. Using a paper towel, wipe excess glue from cover.
  8. Apply three binder clips to top, and three binder clips to bottom of cover.
  9. This is what the finished product looks like. Almost done! To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Part of a video titled BU's How To Series: Record Jacket Repair Part 1 of 2 - YouTube
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Apply a light coating evenly across the whole seam. This archival glue is used for repairing allMoreApply a light coating evenly across the whole seam. This archival glue is used for repairing all kinds of paper collectibles. So it's perfect for record albums.

Full Answer

What happens to used vinyl record covers?

Unless the album is brand new, clean vinyl record covers are a rare site. Used albums usually have one problem or another: seam splits, cut corners, ring wear or worse. Some of these things are relatively easy to fix and cleaning up your jackets to remove the accumulated dust, grime or mildew from long-term storage isn’t that hard.

How to fix a broken vinyl record?

procure two sheets of blemish-free, smooth, flat, overproof glass (big enough to cover a 12" record, small enough to fit in your oven) leave your weird record sandwich in the oven for ten minutes, just enough to make the vinyl supple again

How to flatten a vinyl record?

procure two sheets of blemish-free, smooth, flat, overproof glass (big enough to cover a 12" record, small enough to fit in your oven) leave your weird record sandwich in the oven for ten minutes, just enough to make the vinyl supple again remove the vinyl and inspect it. If you're lucky, the result will be a flatter record.

Should you clean scratches on vinyl records?

Even quite bad scratches are sometimes tolerable on the ears (if not on the soul) once a record has been cleaned to near-clinical perfection. So, unless you know it's a hopeless cause, give our step-by-step guide to deep cleaning a vinyl record a read before doing anything more drastic.

Why do vinyl records get damaged?

What is a colored vinyl record?

Why does vinyl warp?

How to make a weird record sandwich?

How long to cook a 12" record sandwich?

Why does my record keep popping?

Can you live with a scratched copy of a book?

See more

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How do you restore vinyl album covers?

Inner SplitMuch like the outer sleeve, lightly apply superglue to the split with a Q Tip.Run your fingers along the gap and quickly pinch it closed. Depending on the glue, this should dry very quickly and present as very well repaired.Don't forget your wipe and kitchen roll to sort your hands as quickly as possible.

How do you fix a ripped record sleeve?

10:4113:18Fix Record Jacket Split Seams WITHOUT Ugly Tape - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd there you go if i just put some pressure across the length of it. There. Then we have. The twoMoreAnd there you go if i just put some pressure across the length of it. There. Then we have. The two pieces stuck together and that outside seam rebuilt.

Can you fix a damaged vinyl record?

Apply a thin line of epoxy or wood glue to the scratched area. Use a toothpick to ease into the crack and allow time for it to seep in thoroughly. If there are multiple scratches, apply glue to the entire record as it spins on your turntable.

Can you resurface a vinyl record?

While there is no foolproof way to repair scratches on vinyl, you can try using wood glue to remove dust and even out the surface of your record. Clean your record with a dry brush, liquid cleaning solution, or a toothpick to remove additional dirt and debris.

Can you glue a record back together?

A preferred method is to put a drop of superglue on a clean piece of paper. Where the crack is, roll this part of the vinyl into the super glue at a vertical angle, like below. Good To Know: Make sure you are extremely gentle when rolling the record in the glue and take extra care not to get the glue in the groves.

How do you put a vinyl sleeve back on?

1:383:44My No. 1 tip for using outer record sleeves | VINYL COMMUNITYYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlmost always tuck the record into the back I'll tell you I the natural tendency for many people isMoreAlmost always tuck the record into the back I'll tell you I the natural tendency for many people is to sleeve a record with the opening on the side. So that it aligns with the jacket opening.

How do you fix a vinyl that skips?

1:433:09Quick fix - Record Skipping! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the fix is just to gently push down on the tonearm. Rest make sure it's fully down and out of theMoreSo the fix is just to gently push down on the tonearm. Rest make sure it's fully down and out of the way and that will fix a lot of your skipping.

Can you play a cracked record?

A cracked vinyl, like a warped vinyl, is often irreparably damaged. Because a record needs to revolve around your turntable to produce sound, any interruptions in its revolutions can cause serious issues with playability. If your record is cracked, it may not be able to play at all.

What to do with old scratched records?

10 DIY Projects for Your Old Vinyl RecordsWall Art: ... Dream Catcher: ... Clock: ... Frame the Album Covers: ... Make a Mirror Frame: ... Record Hat & Coat Rack: ... Record Cupcake Stand: ... Vinyl Record Bookends:More items...

How do you clean and restore records?

1:045:04HOW TO Clean and Restore your CLASSIC VINYL albums and recordsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep one brush off the dust. This is the best record brush I've found it's got a soft pad andMoreStep one brush off the dust. This is the best record brush I've found it's got a soft pad and bristle brushes.

What is a vinyl record brush?

0:128:16How to Use a Carbon Fiber Record Brush - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if you don't already own one a carbon fiber brush is pretty much an essential tool in the arsenalMoreSo if you don't already own one a carbon fiber brush is pretty much an essential tool in the arsenal of any record collector it will help reduce the static build up on your record.

What happens if you play a dirty record?

Over a shorter amount of time than you think, constantly playing dirty records will wear down your stylus to the point of the needing to be replaced. Scratched records do this too, but dirt is much worse. And as the needle gets more and more damaged, it just begets more problems.

How do you fix a vinyl sleeve?

1:505:00BU's How To Series: Record Jacket Repair Part 1 of 2 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApply a light coating evenly across the whole seam. This archival glue is used for repairing allMoreApply a light coating evenly across the whole seam. This archival glue is used for repairing all kinds of paper collectibles. So it's perfect for record albums.

What is a vinyl sleeve?

A record sleeve (not to be confused with a record jacket/cover) is the outer covering of a vinyl record. Alternative terms are dust sleeve and album liner. A record sleeve can be made of paper, cardboard, rice paper, polypropylene, etc. It may be acid-free or anti-static and also contain an inner liner (polylined).

What is a seam split?

Can someone explain what this means ? You are correct in your assumption - seam split = side(s) of the sleeve split open. When shipping a vinyl inside the original sleeve the vinyl can slide rather heavily during shipping which can lead to that one or more sides are split open (more or less) upon arrival.

What is a vinyl record jacket?

A standard vinyl record jacket is a single sleeve printed full-colour on the front and back pages. These come with or without a spine edge. The record is first placed in a paper or plastic inner sleeve and then slides into the printed jacket prior to shrink wrapping or poly bagging.

Why do vinyl records get damaged?

But the vast majority of physical damage suffered by vinyl records is caused by accident or neglect. Over the course of its life, yer average disc will be exposed to all kinds of physical factors that threaten its health - from dust to sunlight to angle of storage. Prevention rather than cure is key.

What is a colored vinyl record?

A vinyl record is nothing more than a brittle plastic disc with deliberate scratches - AKA grooves - carefully etched into it. A stylus reads these scratches and transforms them via magic into sound.

Why does vinyl warp?

Similarly, vinyl is a physical product with a relatively low melting point. Warping can occur simply when a record gets too hot and the vinyl softens up , leading to it becoming bent out of shape, leading to that Sleaford Mods sound now resembling Connan Mockasin. Not ideal.

How to make a weird record sandwich?

sandwich your vinyl record between the sheets of glass. leave your weird record sandwich in the oven for ten minutes, just enough to make the vinyl supple again. take the record out of the oven. place it on a perfectly flat surface. place a heavy, flat object on top.

How long to cook a 12" record sandwich?

procure two sheets of blemish-free, smooth, flat, overproof glass (big enough to cover a 12" record, small enough to fit in your oven) leave your weird record sandwich in the oven for ten minutes, just enough to make the vinyl supple again.

Why does my record keep popping?

isn't actually caused by whatever physical damage or blemishes you are seeing but, instead, by the usual dust and grease that accrues to a record when it hasn't been properly cleaned for a while.

Can you live with a scratched copy of a book?

So if you really cannot live with your scratched copy then there is only one surefire solution, and that's buying a new copy. It's tempting to stop writing at this point, but there are a few 'folk remedies' that might be worth a go before shelling out again. Please note that, as with the DIY warp flattening approach detailed above, Norman Records absolutely does not endorse any of these methods, which risk not only damaging your record more but may also risk damaging your equipment, worktops, carpets, sanity, etc.

A Step-By-Step Guide To Repairing Damaged Record Sleeves

Used record sales are soaring. Whilst the demand grows at a rapid pace, the supply is inevitably dwindling. Records are being found, cleaned and stored, sometimes never to be seen again. Safe and snug in its polythene sleeve, the record sits on a proud owner’s shelf. It has been taken from the wild and will never be yours.

Practice makes perfect

Please, I beg of you, do not grab that $100 record that’s been upsetting you for the last two years and go straight to work. Repairing sleeves is nothing less than a fine art, and like all artists, you must first practice and hone your craft.

Seam Splits

Seam splits are the worst. For all its beauty, the design of the vinyl record sleeve is a flawed one. The sharp, rounded black circle insides it make it the ultimate tool of self-destruction.

Clean Split

If it’s a nice clean split, you’re in luck. These are seriously easy to fix. These usually occur due to age and old glue that’s dried out.

Rough Split

Sleeves come in many forms, and this is a problem that you’ll encounter the most. Most sleeves are compiled by different parts, placed together upon assembly, whereas others can be made of one piece. Regardless of design, splits, tears and the eventual destruction of your record sleeve is inevitable.

Inner Split

This is possibly the most common damage you will find. I’m not entirely sure who thought the paper thin inner sleeve and a sharp rounded edge combination was a first-class idea, but they probably retired from product design a long time ago.

General Cleaning

Due to age and poor storage, most record sleeves are dirty, smelly and messy. You’ll find nearly all pre owned records have some form of dirt related disorder. Don’t walk away, this is possibly the easiest thing to sort of all.

How can vinyl records be damaged?

Records can be damaged by physical, cosmetic harm. Scratches, dings, the impact of being dropped – all of these things can harm your vinyl records. The best way to avoid cosmetic damage and the subsequent decrease in sound quality that it causes is to carefully store your records.

How to keep vinyl records sounding good?

If you want to keep your records sounding great for as long as possible, it’s always best to practice routine maintenance and to protect your vinyl collection from dust, scratches, and other dangers. Records can also be damaged through improper use.

When Is A Record Damaged Beyond Repair?

In some circumstances, a record can be restored after it has been degraded by dust or minor scratches. In other cases, a record might be so warped or scratched that it is essentially unplayable. Before you try to fix up a record, it’s wise to know whether that particular vinyl can be saved.

Why do vinyl records get scratches?

Deep scratches often come from habitual misuse or poor maintenance of a record, and these forms of vinyl damage can easily be avoided through learning how to use and care for records. A low-quality turntable can also damage a record. Cheaper record players are sometimes ill-equipped to preserve the sound quality and physical integrity of a record. ...

Why is my vinyl damaged?

Below are a few of the most common causes of vinyl damage. We’ll also cover some of the best ways to care for your records, including methods of vinyl restoration that can sometimes be highly effective. Records are often damaged by warping. A record can get warped due to improper storage, exposure to extreme heat, ...

What is the hardest damage to reverse?

As disappointing as it is, warping is one of the forms of vinyl damage that is the hardest to reverse. Records that have spent time sitting in storage in a hot, humid attic, or even in the trunk of an unshaded car, may experience warping that is irreparable.

Why do vinyl records lose sound?

Your records can lose some of their sound quality if they are exposed to excessive quantities of dust, dirt, and other forms of debris. The best way to keep this from happening is to frequently clean your records with specialized tools. If dust and dirt get deeply embedded in the grooves of a record, using a special brush and the right cleaning solution can help you restore the vinyl back to better condition.

What are the problems with used albums?

Used albums usually have one problem or another: seam splits, cut corners, ring wear or worse. Some of these things are relatively easy to fix and cleaning up your jackets to remove the accumulated dust, grime or mildew from long-term storage isn’t that hard.

How to clean a dirty jacket?

If all is well, begin with the plastic eraser and gently erase areas of the jacket that are dirty. Don’t be too aggressive; just be firm enough to lift away the layers of grime.

Does a dry cleaning pad work?

For gentler cleaning, the dry cleaning pad comes in handy. The mesh bag will release eraser particulate when gently tapped or rubbed on any surface and the action of rubbing will work in similar fashion to the plastic eraser.

Does Dawn detergent work on a Bringing It All Back Home cover?

Dawn detergent ( no water) worked wonders on an old Bringing it All Back Home cover.

Do white covers show dirt?

Yes, white covers are particularly satisfying. They show the dirt and ringwear, but if they're glossy or laminated in some way, they hold up to vigorous cleaning, and can be transformed.

Can you use a whole strip for split seams?

Seamzeazy repair strips for split seams I like, since the brown card matches the color inside the sleeve. Entire splits are easiest and use a whole strip, but actually cutting off a portion of the strip is fine too , and prevents small splits getting larger. Use clamps to hold the seam from splitting further during the operation

Do I clean sleeves while cleaning LPs?

And yeah, I clean sleeves while I am cleaning LPs.

Why do vinyl records get damaged?

But the vast majority of physical damage suffered by vinyl records is caused by accident or neglect. Over the course of its life, yer average disc will be exposed to all kinds of physical factors that threaten its health - from dust to sunlight to angle of storage. Prevention rather than cure is key.

What is a colored vinyl record?

A vinyl record is nothing more than a brittle plastic disc with deliberate scratches - AKA grooves - carefully etched into it. A stylus reads these scratches and transforms them via magic into sound.

Why does vinyl warp?

Similarly, vinyl is a physical product with a relatively low melting point. Warping can occur simply when a record gets too hot and the vinyl softens up , leading to it becoming bent out of shape, leading to that Sleaford Mods sound now resembling Connan Mockasin. Not ideal.

How to make a weird record sandwich?

sandwich your vinyl record between the sheets of glass. leave your weird record sandwich in the oven for ten minutes, just enough to make the vinyl supple again. take the record out of the oven. place it on a perfectly flat surface. place a heavy, flat object on top.

How long to cook a 12" record sandwich?

procure two sheets of blemish-free, smooth, flat, overproof glass (big enough to cover a 12" record, small enough to fit in your oven) leave your weird record sandwich in the oven for ten minutes, just enough to make the vinyl supple again.

Why does my record keep popping?

isn't actually caused by whatever physical damage or blemishes you are seeing but, instead, by the usual dust and grease that accrues to a record when it hasn't been properly cleaned for a while.

Can you live with a scratched copy of a book?

So if you really cannot live with your scratched copy then there is only one surefire solution, and that's buying a new copy. It's tempting to stop writing at this point, but there are a few 'folk remedies' that might be worth a go before shelling out again. Please note that, as with the DIY warp flattening approach detailed above, Norman Records absolutely does not endorse any of these methods, which risk not only damaging your record more but may also risk damaging your equipment, worktops, carpets, sanity, etc.

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