How to fix / remove misting damage from vinyl records - SOLVED!!
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- This video explains how to fix misting/fade on vinyl records, as a result of damage due to the leeching of chemicals from old PVC outer covers, a phenomenon discovered in recent years. It leaves either a dull grey mist on the records, that looks like milk was spilt on the record, or in more serious cases can look like a leopards pattern of sorts across the surface, leaving the owner devastated. Misting leaves a "whoosh" sound in the groove as the stylus passes also, ruining the listening experience. As a result of trial and error and the use of many different sprays, creams and chemicals, i finally hit pay-dirt and discovered the solution! See with your own eyes how this is fixed! I hope this helps you! You can read more about this problem on the Vinyl Engine forum, specifically at this thread here: www.vinylengine...
Update: i have found a new way to make the process even better...you use a drop of ScratchX on the tip of your finger and dab it on the hazy area, and then give the area one spray of distilled water. Then what you then do is use your actual finger tips to rub the surface and remove the misting, rubbing in the direction of the grooves, keeping your nails away. The water helps to break down the scratchx molecules into even smaller sizes, so you dont get any micro scratches and your fingertips are super smooth and allow you to target the specific area with the right pressure. You literally rub the misting away with your fingers in front of your eyes! Highly recommended.
@DarrenGlen
So do you this ScratchX / distilled water / fingertip method AFTER the PlasticX cloth method, or do you do only the ScratchX / distilled water / fingertip method INSTEAD of doing the PlasticX cloth method at all? Thanks!
@@Zooropa420 in summary...you dont need PlasticX. It doesnt work a well. Its a useless step. Just do the ScratchX method :)
I just treated a bunch of 7"s with this method and the result is nothing less than amazing! My eternal gratitude to you for helping me save a substantial part of my collection (and my mental sanity)!!!
Thanks for the msg ! Some ppl still think it doesn't work and is rubbish I'm going to make a second video now. If you have before and after pics please post them to the vinylengine thread !
Hi from Holland! Amazing results. However, I wonder if the visual improvements also include a sonical improvement. The misting comes from escaping plasticisers from pvc outer sleeves that over time settle down on the records. Bye, Willem.
leyland9999 of course as my video explained and demonstrated the whooshing becomes far more quiet when the misting is gone
Darren, if i would want to soft or remove light scratches (not deep, obviously) ¿¿which of two products you use in the video would be better?? Thanks
Daniel Estrada I use pretty much Scratch 2.0 for all things for vinyl now, including removing the fogging/misting, removing light bag or sleeve rash and also when you put some on a rag and squeeze the vinyl between your fingers and rotate along the edge of the vinyl you will find that you can remove the light sanding that occurs over time on the outer raised intro groove area of vinyl. It’s quite incredible!!!
I had about 50 damaged vinyls with PVC gasing.all from late 70s and eighties.none from fifties sixties for some reason.
And I used the scratch X .
And it worked, some of the vinyls I had to do a few times but it really works.
If your doing this used micro fibre cloth then wash with wasing up liquid. and water and then vinyl. cleaning liquid .
So thank u so much for this saves me hundres of Euro replacing damaged records and also the hassle of looking for them.
So to people who say it does not work
I honestly say it does 100 percent
Works perfectly, got rid of very heavy fogging (vinyl looked nearly opaque) and cleared swooshing completely. Not easy to master at all. If you read recent comments, only scratchx is needed. A fair amount of force is needed too. You can't do it like polishing a car, but you can't go too gentle either. Best thing to do is go as hard as you dare, wash it off, if it's not gone, increase force. Can confirm amount of force makes a large different. Went on 6-7 cycles to 1-2 cycles due to the amount of force. Experiment with how you hold the rag too. It leaves an oily residue that soap or vinyl cleaner will not get rid,so make sure you have some titebond ii glue handy.
You nailed the process. The oily residue at the end should be taken off with a wet record cleaner ideally like VPI, Okki Nokki, or Project vacuum etc
This is the greatest scientific breakthrough of the 21st century.
hehe cheers man it took me months and a *lott* of products to crack it! I tried almost everything I could get my hands on even barbeque cleaner hehe
How do the records you used this method on look and play now?
Definitely worked for me. Have cleaned heavily misted samples with great results
How do the records you used this method on look and play now?
Very effective and brilliant solution! Thank you, Darren Glen! You're saving the life of a third of my vinyl record collection! After treating 5 vinyl records, I've improved your technique! The ideal is to use a foam polishing pad (9 cm in diameter) for the application, along with a waterproof label protector. Don't hesitate to use enough product, allowing it to sit for a few minutes to take effect. For polishing, a pad wrapped with a microfiber cloth does the job. For rinsing, I use distilled water, and for the finish, cleaning solution. With this method, it's faster! I've already treated 75 out of my 108 marbled PVC records!
Thanks for the post! Ideally at the end you would run the record through a record cleaning machine to lift out any remaining ScratchX out of the grooves so its not affecting your stylus. Thats what ive purchased (mine is an Okki Nokki), its really important as a last process to make it truely clean and not wear out your stylus any faster than normal.. and re: leaving for a few minutes to take effect, i actually left a record covered with a light coating of ScratchX overnight by accident, i forgot about it, and it dried and it seemed to "work" on the area overnight, the next day it was just a few rubs and off all the misting came! so i agree, leaving it on the surface to break down the fogging definately helps! cheers!
I tried this trick with another cleaner and polish brand, and it kinda worked, it removed the cloudiness and some of the noise, I'll try to find the exact same brand you use, you have saved a lot of records that have this problem, thank you so much :)
Youre welcome...ive tried probably 10 different car scratch liquid products. The Meguires ScratchX really works the best. It only "kinda" works with others. So you have experienced the same as me. You really need the Meguires ScratchX. Its on Ebay. Good luck
Precious few comments from people who have tried this. Well, I did, and it worked! The record I restored was fogged really badly, but only about eight years old (and probably only 6 of those was it in its sleeve). I had to do about four passes of both fluids before I got the fogging out completely, and playtesting it went perfectly. I used an Okki Nokki record cleaning machine to clean the record after each pass. Not a crackle, click or pop or whooshing noise to be heard. I've read lots of (well meaning but pearl clutching) analysis of why this is a terrible idea, and how it will damage the grooves, blah, but I can confirm these fears are exaggerated, and maybe unfounded. The PlastX and Scratch 2.0 I sourced off Amazon UK, for a total of £19 inc. delivery, and the bottles will probably now last for a long time as I used hardly any of the fluid. Good work Darren, you've saved another record from oblivion.
yay. thank you for the report back it is much appreciated by all who read these comments and yet are afraid to try. I agree that several "rounds" of the process are a good way to go. That way you get a feel for how much pressure you need to apply and how much Scratch X 2.0 you need to use to make an effective difference. After doing about 20 records you start to get a good feel for how it will work, and how hard you will need to go ;) I will say this....keep your rag away from the edge of the centre label! especially if its a black colored label you dont want to turn it white hehe
A fellow Aussie here and oh man, I just stumbled across this solution. So *thank you* for finally cracking this 'misting' issue and how to correct it! I discovered perhaps 20% of my collection (which is quite huge) had this issue about 5-6 years ago and was mortified! Now I can at least have a go at fixing them. Thank you Darren mate, THANK YOU!!!
its a very sad day when you look at your precious records and suddenly discover this misting/fogging. Its horrific. I was mortified also. Just make sure EVERY Single record has the PVC covers gone. Even your 7' ones. i thought i had done them all, and i discovered a few 7" records of mine with the PVC still on that snuck past my eyballs....MISTED. i continue to be saddened...but at least theres a solution now!
@@DarrenGlen Yep I have, to care to remove covers & crappy inner sleeves as well some time ago. Yes, have lost quite a few albums to this, even when I thought originally I was doing the right thing. Again, a great solution!
How has this method worked for you, I'm planning to buy both products but I'd like to hear about somebody else's experience. I'd really appreciate it your opinion
Found an original U.S. Kinks - Face to Face mono lp for $20 that played nice but had this milky haze problem. This actually worked!! Thanks!
thank you for coming back to this video and replying! it helps others who are skeptical
Great video. It's been 3,5 years since the upload. It would be nice to get an update. How are the "de-misted" records doing these days? Really looking forward to hearing about their status.
Yes please give us an update!
Ok, then I'll reply to my own post. I've tried this on five albums that were seriously damaged due to pvc covers. Works like a charm, but you will have to work for it. About four times this routine to get it clean. But plays without that swoshing.
@DarrenGlen Thanks for the video! I've recently been going through some singles (mostly) and have quite a few hazy ones. Thinking of giving this a try.
I don't have a record cleaning device to give it a "pro wash" after. Would tap water and soap not do a good enough job with removing the ScratchX residues? I'm too cheap to buy a cleaning maching :D
What I usually do with "normal" dirty records is rub them with soap water user a microfiber cloth, then wash it off with lukewarm tap water. I then give them a first dry in a towel go get rid of visible water residues. Next I give them a few rounds with a cleaning brush and leave them to dry. After some hours I give them another round with the brush and play them.
i do not recommend doing it without a wet washing machine after. Because no amount of washing or rubbing on the surface will remove the ScratchX from inside the grooves, and then when you play through with your stylus you are basically sanding down your needle like it was being dragged through sandpaper. The ScratchX cream needs to be removed completely afterwards.
Thanks Darren, I'm recovering my collection with your system. It is working quite well, for the worst cases a multiple applications are needed, but definitely it improves the situation very much. The only difficulty is to clean the area near the label, the run out, where grooves are very large. Do you have a suggetion?
dont use a rag , use the tips of your fingers. Dab some of the cream of the ScratchX on your fingertips and rub. Im going to make a video showing this. I use this method for everything now, its a much easier way to control the operation and it leaves zero swirl scratches!
Hello, thank you for making this video. It seems like Scratch X 2.0 is no longer manufactured but Scratch X is available in a new formula. Do you know how the latter compares to Scratch X 2.0 for the treatment you describe in your update?
Hi Excellent question. I was worried that the new formula would not work as well. Good news is that it actually works BETTER. The extra ingredient they have added helps to avoid the tiny swirl micro scratches that you might introduce in the process as well. Go ahead and buy with confidence! Good Luck!
a small idea i have for when you are laying a record down is to put it onto a micro fibre cloth.. Draper used to do a 2 pack cloth set which i recommend 100%
excellent suggestion ive been doing this since your post and yes its safer and less dangerous for sure. thanks for the tip!
Thank you for the tip, I have bought a number of original Beatle records which were not in excellent condition as described. I will definitely try this method.
Thanks Darren, an excellent video! I tried this on my worst case record, a deeper haze than on your record with some waviness to the hazing in some areas. Cleaning was first with the PlastX, then the ScratchX, then PlastX again. Didn't remove all of the hazing but a definite visual improvement, especially after the first PlastX. I also recorded before and after the process, then played back and compared the waveforms on computer. I think it made a small difference to the background noise caused by the PVC hazing, but what was interesting was the great majority of clicks were removed. It's actually a very effective record cleaning/declicking method! My impression is still that the hazing damage is probably permanent but I'll try some less damaged records next.
Hey Darren, I was skeptical when I first watched your video but I went out and bought the solution and tried it on my cloudy affected vinyl and it really worked!! My records look like new again and play perfectly. Thanks for posting. Cheers
Youre wlecome thanks for posting. There are still skeptics that are calling me a liar and swear at me. Just incredible. I guess it doesnt work for everyone, only those with a brain who can follow instructions properly.
Hi, should misting be removed on first try? I tried a couple of times already and the misting is still there. The swooshing sound is still there
it does take several "rounds" of the rubbing and washing process. It will depend on how bad the misting is, how much ScratchX 2.0 you apply, and how much elbow grease pressure you apply, as to how many rounds you will need. Once you do about 20 records and restore them to like-new, you start to get the hang of it ;)
Another Icehouse record saved! Well done!
Have now tried it with that product - WORKED - LOVE IT - THANK YOU SIR !!!
youre welcome! another satisfied customer for the nay-sayers
The chemicals in this won’t cause the plastic in the vinyl to degrade or ruin the grooves will it? I feel like this removes a little bit of material from the record especially that Scratch X
your vinyl and grooves are already kaput from the misting. The record is already "throwaway" material. The process saves it from ending up in landfill. And no, ive not seen any change to the surface of the very first records i did this to some years ago (if that helps)
Any polish like this will take off material on a microscopic level. It looks nice but does this affect the sound quality? Should have played the record before and after as well
I'm the unlucky owner of way too many rare/expensive 45s plagued by misting. I still can't believe this is going to work, but if it does I'll be forever grateful. I'm going to test pretty soon and I'll get back with the results. I'd be tempted to wash the records with an ultrasonic cleaner and distilled water after the process
alamoaudio yes I wash my records with an Okki Nokki now afterwards.
Hello Darren...I bought both products at Walmart and got home with the inmense hope to have many of my opera recital lps fixed. I carefully and thoroughly followed the instrucctions shown on your video, and to my regret, I inform you that it didn't work. Mist and leopard-like marks from those plastic inner sleeves are permanently stamped on my records. Neither of the products removed them. Furthermore, I have a VPI discwasher machine to help more on the process of removing the solution. Negative results!!.... I wish to contact you directly to further dicuss this and see if there is any other solution applicable to my records...regards
sometimes, if the PVC has sat for 20 years directly against the media surface (no paper or cardboard between) then unfortunately it is indeed...cooked. This process primarily can remove the milky damage. It can only go so far of course, if the surface has been burnt and roughened by the PVC chemicals into what looks like physical burns then clearly its one step too far removed for this process to help with unfortunately.
May I ask using Scratchx can I get the haze off the record visually but also be able to it play the record without the hazing hiss sound?
thats the whole idea. The plastic white "frost" sitting on the record is what makes it woosh as it spins. When the fogging is removed, the woosh sound is too. Mostly. I say mostly, because i think at the very bottom of the groove the fogging is still sitting there, it does depend on the degree of fogging. Sometimes its reduced by 90% and you hear just the slightest reminants. It depends also on how well you have cleaned. A lot of factors.
@@DarrenGlen thank you. This is such an eye opener for me. I bought a set of 24 7” singles by a Japanese pop artist that turned out all hazed up. I nearly threw them away as they are just sitting on my shelf for years. Excited to try this ScratchX
What is the best way to prevent the misting in the first place? Is it caused by the PVC sleeves? Do you recommend any good vinyl cleaners? I’m also in Australia.
Hi yes its the PVC sleeves. 100%. Its a chemical reaction, it leeches chemicals straight through the crappy brown cardboard covers in Australia. The misting is less of a problem in the US because their covers are thicker, harder white artboard. So the chemical does not get through so easily. You must IMMEDIATELY take ALL PVC sleeves off your records and toss them. And even if the record is not fogged you must wash them with water, the chemical will be there on the surface, waiting to react. Throw away the inner sleeve also for a new one. Its the only way to get out of this mess
@@DarrenGlen So, I'm skeptical it's caused by PVC. Well, I should say only caused by PVC. The reason I say this is because I have no PVC in my collection at all, yet this hazing/clouding BS still effects my records.
@@authenticapparel9616 some of the inner sleeves have a certain formulation also, that include degress of PVC. When combined with a certain specific formulation of vinyl plastic also react together. I say this because some record company labels/ eras that made the vinyl all in the same factory combined with years of warm storage seem to be more prone to it also...so youre right. But PVC sleeves is more of a guarantee (sadly)
Hey mate, would the Spin Clean wash machine work for rinsing off or do you suggest under the tap first?
Hello, I tried polishing a disc with very little surface scratches by ScratchX.
The good news is that the sound remained unchanged. The ScratchX doesn't hurt the music. However, the features did not want to disappear. How long do you polish the plate before the effect appears? Do you only do it manually?
If it is just a light fog, you keep going until it disappears. If it is heavy etching into the surface and more serious and the fogging feels like sandpaper on the record then you keep going until you can live with whats left of the damage...it may never completely go. Sometimes i sit down with a record and rub for a whole Sienfeld episode. OH...you need to PRACTICE on a crap record first...learning how hard to push, how to run your cloth without scratching but only polishing, the right cloth to use (nothing with any polyester fibers in it...only pure cotton), how to avoid rubbing the label with stray strokes, etc.
Can you include a link to the ScratchX product? Thanks in advance!
I will possibly need to try this for myself. I managed to find and order a vinyl copy of _Hands_ by *Little Boots* , which was issued in a clear plastic sleeve with a sticker on. Others have reported clouding, so I can only hope this copy arrives in relatively good condition.
Hi there! I just got an expensive Misfits 7" with heavy mist from PVC damage. The "whoosh" sound is unbearable so I think I'll try this. I'm a bit nervous about the chemicals. Is the record you cleaned on this video still looking and sounding like it did after all these years? Just worried about deterioration/grooves being ruined more by this method.
IF youre worried about deterioration / grooves being ruined then dont do the process. Enjoy your misted ruined record.
@@DarrenGlen I just saw a comment where you said your records cleaned by this process still look and sound great after years of cleaning them. I'll give it a shot this weekend. Cheers!
@@AlexNavarro99 how did it work out?
@@ItsAlyssaGrace I chickened out. I actually thought about writing on here again asking the people who have done it a while back how the records look and play now. I gotta be 1000% sure since it’s a very expensive record.
Did you apply this just to make your record look better, or, to sound better? I bought I bottle of this stuff but i’m hesitating because the records I want to apply this to are the only original copies. My concern is the sound, rather than how it looks. Still recommend? I’ve tried everything to get this white stuff off. Ultrasonic cleaning didn’t work to remove it.
look better or sound better? ...answer = both! get ScratchX 2.0 and try it on a record you would otherwise be ready to throw out first. Thats the whole premise of this solution. You have nothing to lose. And then come back and thank me!
Hey Darren, My collection of 35 years never suffered this problem till recently and I found this video. Since the upload (have read most of the comments about not getting it too close to the label, letting it dry properly before putting back in sleeve, etc) have you any further tips not included in the video since posting. I've lost about 80 x 12's to this (only just noticed them all) so will have heaps to practice on...wish I knew about the PVC issue earlier however as it didn't affect any vinyls at the time I probably would have ignored it...live and learn. Cheers
using the blue 'am' record cleaner and placing the record in the polyurethane sleeve, the liquid residue melted the sleeve on to the record causing the current haze on my records
thanks for posting this - I have the AFX - Analord collection, which has some considerable misting. I'll be using this method on them as soon as the Amazon order for the Plastx comes through!
Hi mate, it's been a while but have you tried it ?
I'm having the same issue with Analord.
i really would recommend you go straight to ScratchX 2.0. I had more successful results with it. Theres more rubbing and rounds required for Plastx...it can be harder work
It does work.Wish i could post pics of my Judas Priest Nostradamus 3 record set you would have said that will never come off.But it took some work but they look almost new and play great....Thank you.
Nice! Those are low end abrasives for removing oxidation and polishing. I bet that will work on the dust covers for the TT's but you'll also probably need an orbital buffer so there are no swirl marks.
absolutely they work on plastic dust covers. Actually thats where i got the subtle lead to try it on the actual record, i saw a vid of a guy polishing up his TT cover to new and i thought "hmmm..plastic cover...plastic record, i wonder if it will work also..."
it works! it depends how much the mist area is but can you help me with this when i wash with water and i put the record back to sleeve after several minutes on the vinyl appear some stains in contact with inner sleeve thanks!
it sounds like you havent washed the record well enough, you really need to use a wet vinyl vacuum cleaner to properly remove the ScratchX 2.0 from inside the grooves like a VPI or Okki Nokki. make sure your record is completely dry before returning to the sleeve, maybe let it sit for an hour in the open first?
Omg. It actually worked!!!! I am thrilled with the results! Thank you!!!
thank you for posting! Glad it helped another person save their precious vinyl!
How do the records you used this method on look and play now?
WARMEST AND DEEP CORDIALLY THANKS for sharing your knowledge among worldwide friends and passionate collectors, helping all of us to save our vinyls!!!! !!!! BEST FRIENDSHIP AND REGARDS from Athens, Greece!!
pinkredfuckcadillac thank you! you’re welcome have a wonderful Christmas in Greece!
Δοκίμασα το ίδιο ακριβώς προϊόν σε διαφορετικά βινύλια και το πρόβλημα παραμένει! Εσείς είχατε αποτέλεσμα;
can i use this to remove the scratches from the vinyl surface ? Thanks for your comment in advance.
Ho Daniel try it ... if you have light ones or surface scuffs you will be surprised ;)
@ *thumbs up* they never learn
@@sadakichihartmann1827 even if it's altering or damaging the vinyl's grooves slightly it's a moot point, because people are trying to fix already damaged records, and it actually works.
there is no way to remove scratches
Brilliant. I was wondering how to remove the 30 year old water spots from the dust cover of my turntable. I think this will do that. Thanks !
yes it works well for dust covers of course...this is documented already in other excellent videos on YT
Absolutely brilliant - thank you so much for sharing your solution with us. Much appreciated
Guy Anderson you're welcome thanks for the comment! Made it worth the time and effort to post this vid hehe
Hey Darren,
Have you tried the Meguiar's Swirl Remover, instead of the Scratch X one? According to the product's description, the former seems "lighter" and less dangerous to cause damage to vinyl, but I don't know if its use can lead to the desired result... Thanks in advance!
Dimitris Staikos hi I've tried em all. You need this one as the others don't get the job done you will be rubbing hard for weeks hehe and the pressure needed for the other ones causes just as much if not more damage ,
plus the scratch x does not scratch at all you just need to use a soft cloth and only medium pressure. Plus the molecules are slightly bigger in the scratch x and it doesn't seem to sink into the bottom of the groove as much so it's easier to wash out at the end
Dimitris Staikos facebook.com/sarah.garmanwilliams/posts/1523792704341894
Are plastx and scratch x the same compond and would it take away the surface wear without degrading the sound. I have a little black bottle that warns against use on vinyl products. So anybody who has tried on a beater copy fill me in on your results
I wonder what that PlastX does for a turntable lid that is scratched and fogged. Cannot buy the stuff in the EU, sadly.
Hamamass ! It fixes the turntable lid :)
Darren Glen Would this method work on fine straches on the finish of the vinyl and does the method have lasting damage on the vinyl themselves?
ive used it many times for polishing out the scuffing around the edge of a record from years of the record rubbing inside the record sleeve. its quite miraculous. And i also had a record i received through the mail that had been loose during postage and had paper rubbing marks. They were completely removed. But you need to try it to believe!!!
I've tried Plastix on two different records now using three applications per record. I can get the records looking better visually, but the audio still sucks. It actually made very little difference sonically. The swooshing noise and clicks are still there. After the treatment I use a Clearaudio Smart Matrix vacuum to rinse and dry. Should I try Scratch 2.0 instead?
hi yes try Scratch 2.0 it is better overall for the job ive found since making this video. Also make sure you clean the record in a wet vacuum cleaner afterwards like Okki Nokki to remove the inner groove noise properly
Thnks would this work on American 45rpm records they appear to be (like)shellac? more than UK/Euro 45's that are vinyl this same cause that which you are dealing with not my doing!Ps do they stay this way or does the condition return?
the condition does not return, as long as the PVC covers do not return!
I have an expensive record that got badly misted (William Basinski - Shortwave music) and it was so bad that the A side was unplayable because of how loud the hissing was. After trying this 4 times I got the hissing lower so it’s nothing more but a background noise. I used Scratchx because I read in the comments that it works better and I cleaned it professionally each time, any recommendations to completely remove the hissing?
Hi did it completely remove the misting?
@@DarrenGlen it’s hard to tell because the record is clear, I was only able to tell the noise difference. Do you recommend doing it a few more times? I’m pretty sure I was doing it right because I’ve done it 4 times and after the 2nd time I could tell that the hissing was lower
@@stephencoppa4726 hmm...the way to tell that youve "done enough" rubbing and removal work is visually...when the ghosting has gone. Its going to be tough to know with a crystal record. its all about degrees really...ive seen records that were so badly eaten into that the surface looked pitted and damaged. I doubt you would be able to remove the hiss completely in that case...Even God has his limitations when it comes to miracles
@@DarrenGlen I see... I’ll try more tomorrow and update you then, I’m just glad that it got rid of the hiss significantly since it was almost louder than the actual music. Do you recommend any tips though? Like I said it almost worked completely so I’m thankful for the results as is.
@@stephencoppa4726 i guess i just dont recommend doing the process over and over forever. It will become a job of diminishing returns. In reality whilst the groove "valleys" are not being affected so much by the process the area between the grooves (peaks) are being polished and worn down slightly and the groove depth will be slightly reduced by the process so you cant keep going forever or eventually you will start to get skips. Its certainly a game of trial and error, and has so many variables (vinyl plastic composition, how loud / deep the groove cut is, how hard you are polishing/pressing, etc etc). As some kind of guidance i usually only work on one side for about 20-30 minutes, not longer before i give up and call that record a "lost cause" hehe
Dear Darren Glen, since I discovered three of my records are having fell victims of "misting" phenomenon, I'm gonna try your method.
One thing I'll do for documenting / reference reasons, is to rip to my computer a small segment of sound / playing of the damaged albums, prior the cleaning and after, in order to compare the job.
Since many people with really collectible and expensive record collections fell victims of this damage, I guess soon we'll see even academic chemists studies researching the phenomenon and all possible solutions - personally I'm looking forward to it.
I did tried to restore three affected records of mine with scratch x2.0, and sadly it didn't worked for me - I don't know, maybe I did something wrong, I'm not having a special record liquid cleaner, and even maybe the misting is affected those three records heavelly.
Anyway, not to be disrespectful to anyone, but I think it's time for any possible solution that won't be trial-and-error-y, but for a solution that might have some proved scientific base: even people with more expensive record collections than mine are starting to having serious problems ("Dark Round The edges" or "Freewheelin' rare promo" with misting anyone? ).
For example, it will be handy to examine the chemical structure of two records from the same possible pressing : one in a proper condition and one under misting, and comparing it in order to find if the damage is truly irreversible or not.
Either way, I have to buy these three records again - I'm sorry.
Translucent Nick a chemical comparison would be nice eh. It’s not trial and error it works every time for me, some records take longer than others that’s all. A few I’ve had to do the process several times and it’s taken me over an hour to complete that were really badly misted but it’s a labour of Love to restore them to new. I do suggest if it’s a record you truely love and listen to all the time and you don’t want to spend the time and it’s cheap to buy a new one that you just buy it again for sure ;)
So what you would suggest? It would be wise to repeat to process with the scratch x2.0 until to take the misting off?
Translucent Nick put scratch 2.0 on the record, spread it out and leave it overnight and then do the same rubbbing removal process... I just stumbled upon the fact that leaving it on overnight seems to make a chemical reaction and you can sometimes just rub it off the next day clean with the misting gone !!
Oh ! Thanks !!!! I'll try this too !!!
@@DarrenGlen It didn't work on any of my records :-( And about 80% of my records are damaged from these PVC sleeves :-(
Does this mist affect the audio? Does the polish improve audio?
If your audio contains the "swooshing" sound as the record turns, due to the misting, then yes it removes this noise....if you do it properly
Why do so many people on these record cleaning videos risk getting their label wet when you can buy a very inexpensive clamp on label protector on eBay? I find it hard to believe anyone with any decent interest in vinyl doesn’t know about them.
Cause if you dab the label right after you wet it it will be fine
i didnt know about a clamp protector! i will check it out. On a side note, some labels are more "absorbant" than others. This particular Festival pressing has very shiny labels that are dense...it doesnt absorb water easily it just beads and washes off. I will say i have a few US Warner records that soaked up the water very quickly on their labels. So it does depend. Youre right....a clamp would help a lot especially when protecting the label from the ScratchX2.0 process (a swipe from the rag across the label can start to remove the print). Cheers!
Thanks for the vid mate. There is another video debunking your video, saying it doesn't last, the clouding/misting comes back. I have a couple of records that have bad clouding and want to try your idea, if it works and lasts. Has the misting come back after time or have your solved the problem. Also, the misting/clouding can just appear without the record being in a poly sleeve. Cheers mate, 👊🏻👍🏻
i am holding the record right now thats in the video. Its still the same, no misting. If someone is saying "it comes back" then they didnt do it right, or they put it back in the damn poly outer sleeve and it happened again! Ive never seen it "just appear" without the record being in a poly sleeve. Keep in mind, it can transfer sideways too, thats why some records are only misted on one side, not the other, it was filed NEXT TO a record with a poly sleeve! thats how bad the leeching chemicals are!
How does doing this repair the sound though???
well it removes the foreign particles from the surface. Ive used it to remove light scratches too. A few runs of ScratchX just around the rim of a record and theres much less crackle at the start of a record side afterwards!
@@DarrenGlen but the misting/ghosting on the record is not particles. It is actual damage to the vinyl itself. So that was my question....you may be able to make it look better but basically the vinyl is still damaged.
@@cheekywun but the foreign particles is the misting. its molecules that have been created from a chemical reaction between the vinyl plastic and the PVC leeching fumes. I guess you have to just try it for yourself. Of course it makes the vinyl quieter. The misting seems to sit on the top of the grooves more. I wont say completely, but certainly more, depending on how far along the process is. Of course theres 100 different degrees of misting. And once it gets to the point where its reached the bottom of the groove, its probably hard to get rid of all of the swooshing. But ive found on average, for a mild milky kind of misting on what looks like a still smooth surface of vinyl, its removed completely
I have an LP that is shiny on one side but dull on the other. the dull side plays with noticeable surface noise throughout. the other side is ok. may i ask if this method will work for that dull side? also will it b ok to use Autosol Plastic Cleaner instead of plastX? tq
Just use the method for the Dull side. Use ScratchX by Meguires. Ive tried all the others including Autosol and you will be there rubbing forever and get no results or it will leave streaks because the molecule size is too big.
Hello Darren and thanks for this tip!
I'm from Italy, have two records of Steely Dan that are affected from this problem...
They sound clean but there is this strange opaque surface...
so, hope to solve this issue with your solution!
They sound very clean, noise is present due to moisture, only in quieter songs but, hey, maybe with your tutorial i can remove also this noise 🙂
also, i clean my LPs with vacuum cleaner + distillated water and neutral soap
Thank you!
This is really helpful. I have a few records that have this due to old pvc outer bags. Plus - Icehouse are great!
Im really glad i got to save Icehouse! its a great 12 with unreleased songs on the B side and theyre awsome (as you can hear in the video)
How do the records you used this method on look and play now?
it's ok, it's only Icehouse
How dare you xD
That is nothing short of amazing!!
NewForestPony try it for yourself and see the amazing with your own eyes! Most ppl don't believe me even after watching the video !
Do you think this would work for paper marks from a paper inner sleeve?
it removes fine paper blemishes indeed. You will be very surprised once you try it!
is this stuff from England and if so what would be the American equivalent, looks like it does the trick, thx!
Meguires is made in USA!
confirmed works! Thank you so much!!!
thank you for returning and posting!@
How do the records you used this method on look and play now?
@@AlexNavarro99 It looks fine, the misting never came back and it did not affect play.
@@Diggy7Diggs Thanks a lot for the info! I've got an expensive record with PVC damage and am debating on trying it.
But all the frequencies over 10Khz have disappeared?
haha not at all...no change to frequencies
I am looking forward to trying this . Hopefully it will work on 45s that are worth hundreds and Albums worth thousands . I won't be in a depression if this works .
This happened twice , both records from US (London and reprise labels).
Btw, what about use vinegar ? did you try it?
i have few records with this issue but the problem is that youtube says:this video is not available.
was really looking foward to try clean them :(
thats wierd. MAybe try using a VPN in your country to view the video? i have no restrictions on the video
Darren, so after you did this process the record sounded more quiet and the audible effects of the "misting" went away?
re: audible noise cmarti...in short...yes. the sound of the misting went away. So did the sound of a few crackles and pops actually! but there was still some background noise, and I don't have a recording of my actual record from 20 years ago before misting to compare. So its hard to know what it sounded like and whether the residual surface noise I can still hear is how it was. I also don't have a pro wet vacuum record cleaner (but I will be getting one). so it would be much easier to remove the very last remnants of the cleaner cream from deep within the grooves with one, and im sure that would improve things further. I would say a wet vacuum record cleaner machine would be very beneficial as a final procedure after the misting is removed.
But yes....much better sounding. And no degradation to the audio content...top end is still nice and clear and clean and no audible distortion. But the proof is always in the pudding, please try it for yourself.
Alright, I have imported two records that came in those sleeves and they were affected. I happen to have that Plast-X product and started polishing one of the records. Will let it dry and continue tomorrow but your research sound promising. Will let you know how it goes! Thanks again Darrell.
I would not let Plast-X dry on the record ! it may go hard and stick into the grooves. As I showed in the video you should get the vinyl clean / misting removed and then wash it straight off, a few times if need be, and a good clean with some record spray as well. Don't leave cream on the record to harden overnight!
Didn't read your post and left it overnight, removed it this morning with no issues. Most of the misting went away, seems like a few application would even do a better job but it sounds better as it is right now so perhaps I'll do it some time in the future. Thanks again!
Hey Darren, it's ok if i only use the Scratch X one?
hi, yes actually I mainly use the Scratch X one now. If its larger scratches or more serious misting then use the Scratch X and press a little more gently. By the way it also works to remove those fine hairline scuffs from record surfaces that happen when you drop a record straight into a cardboard sleeve without any poly bag! I was removing some misting the other day and I saw the scuffing disappear too it was quite incredible! all the best
Thanks Darren! Your experiment puts me in a good mood, im gonna try the Scratch X in the coming week.
@@DarrenGlen Hi Darren, so i should go direct to the scratch X 2.0 ? no need to buy the plastic X ?
correct. I only use Scratch X 2.0 now. It works better, and is easier to get off.
I dont know if they have changed their ingredients but it doesn't work anymore
Same here. It does not work for me as well. I tried it with several Vinyl Singles and a few LPs. All I can say: It does not work.
Plastx works less effectively. Make sure you are using ScratchX2.0 by Meguires
I use Mr. Sheen to fix this problem. Works well for me.
wow Colin thats one i did not try. It was on my Hit-List of things to try tho. I will give it a go also thanks for posting!
Oh, no! NOT ICEHOUSE :(
Hi mate, thanks for getting back to me. I had faith in your answer to the misting but then saw a vid from an American bloke saying it doesn't work. He must have dine something wrong, bought the wrong stuff or is a twat. I've got the Meguiars Plastx in my ebay shopping basket so will grab it. Wicked mate 👊🏻🏆 I've got a couple of expensive tunes that have misting so it wicked that i can revive them. Can i ask one more question, would you reccomend paper inner sleeves to polythene ones. Is there a danger they could do some damage to my records. I've got about 4 thousand and started buying poly liners thinking they are best for my records. Now I'm thinking of replacing them with paper sleeves. Thanks a lot mate.
All the best.
John. 👊🏻🏆
Go with Meguires Scratch X 2.0. I have since found that it works much better....less rubbing, more removal. It might take you 40 mins of rubbing to remove some misting using Plastx but only 15-20 mins with ScratchX2.0. Sometimes Plastx doesnt remove enough. Its not strong enough.
@@DarrenGlen Nice one. I'll get some and get to work. Thanks a lot mate. 🏆🏆🏆👊🏻🙏🏻👏🏻👍🏻
FOLLOW the GROVES so why at 2:40 did you do circular motions?????????????????? LOL
Why hasn’t anyone mentioned label protectors and a pressure washer?
indeed i have now got a Oki Noki and i use label protectors and it does a much better (and safer) job than just under the tap
Correction: There is only one groove in a record.
Correction: there’s two
@@jimidesanta5353 Correction: One groove per side
Accidentally dropped glue on my record any way to remove it?
try the Pro-ject Vinyl Clean
Where did you buy the polish from
Davey Jones in Australia you get
It at most car specialist stores such as Repco or Autobarn. But basically go where you would buy car polish and you'll find it , it is an international brand
Thank you for your reply
What is misting and how does it happen? Thanks, TG
It happens when you have PVC outer sleeves for a long time on your records
Because pvc contains some chemicals that they slowly evaporate through the paper sleeves, they reach the record and they stay there and dry on the surface
Sometimes the misting may cause a lot of noise when you play the record, some other times the noise will be less, it depends on the record and the amount of the chemical that has reached the vinyl
Hi Darren , Just tried your method on a few badly damaged 45's, amazed at the result. Cheers for posting this up, I thought the records were unrepairable . spent the rest of the afternoon taking all my records out of their PVC sleeves
Thanks for this. I'm interested in any alternative products that may work, as this one might not be available everywhere. (Like here.) ;)
I have one.... The cassette body seems wedged.
I have that damn "mist" from records that I buy from Australia to USA, yes!! even that are storage on PVC during the ship can get that due the heat!!!!! on the fly to USA, is a big problem.
John Smith if the record has “just misted” its easier to catch it and remove. The longer you leave it the harder of course it is to fix. I caught a record “in the process” of misting and it was creamy almost damp and the misting came off with a cloth and water. There is definitely a problem with Australian records in particular. I believe it is because the PVC outer sleeves that were made here for the country were from inferior local material and the chemicals in it just leeched faster. Plus its a fairly warm country so the combination of the two (plus possibly even the vinyl record formulation as well) all contributed to make a perfect storm.
I was in a forum and people were discussing about this product, but everyone was afraid to use it :P
minimal minimal pls post the link
It is a post in Steve Hoffman forum with the title 'Warning to all record collectors...' if i am not mistaken
At some page some people are talking about car polish and if that would affect the chemical structure of the record in the long run
You may also find it if you type 'pvc clouding' in the forums search engine, but there are many pages and i cannot recall people getting into lots of details about the method that you use
I remember though that this topic was very active during december 15 to january 16
That was the time when i removed all of the pvc outer sleeves from my records
minimal minimal I would not use “car polish” on a record that’s for sure. This process is meant to be used on records that are otherwise throwaway ones so I always find it interesting when people say “this could damage your records” ...throw your record away instead of fix it then by all means and let the bin lining damage your record instead hehe. Thanks for the msg and lead I’ll check it out
Yes i get what you mean, the topic in the forum though was about salvaging precious lps
After watching this video I was a little sceptical about this process I can confirm that after using the same product in the UK and with a lot of hard work and a lot more than just a dab on a cloth , IT BLOODY WELL WORKS ALRIGHT , click on the link below for before and after photos of Men At Work Down Under blue vinyl shape of Australia , the only thing I can’t confirm is weather it still plays or not (don’t have a deck )
Click on the link to see photo proof ruclips.net/video/0YGACsTE9SE/видео.html
Wow didnt think these could be repaired
You didn't play the record for us before the treatment. I have tried on 2 of my records with SONAX Polish & cera + Knosti Disco-Antistat + Record Doctor VI: the spots really disappear, the 2 sides become very bright and shiny in the sunlight, but the periodic rustle remains. Do I really have to try with Meguiar's PLASTX G12310? Or is MEGUIAR'S Scratch-X 2.0 better?
This is one my record with defect: ruclips.net/video/RPBle4ZDefs/видео.html
Certainly Meguires ScrachX2.0 is the clear winner in this process. It has the right degree of abrasion without damage. Ive given up with Plastx. It is too fine.
Festival were the worst for this. No idea what the hell they used in the cardboard of their covers, but almost every 12" I have that was a Festival label, has that horrible misting. Mushroom was the worst!
Festival and Mushroom both pressed their vinyl at the same plant. Isnt that interesting. There is something about the formulation of the vinyl plastic used that also helps with the misting process. Every factory used slightly different molecular formula vinyl. Its also the same reason why some vinyl has more tendency to attract dust and static, because it has more carbon than other fomulations. And then theres the type of inner poly sleeve used by the factory. It all adds up and eventually theres an unfortunate combination that just reacts together to mist vinyl
@@DarrenGlen I always thought there had to be something in those rubbish "slightly-thicker-than-paper" things they called covers for 12" singles. Because they were too cheap to use poly inners in those and every single one I own, has that fogging/misting. Whereas WEA, CBS, EPIC, RCA etc do not suffer from it despite the same crappy, non-poly linned covers. I don't have the issue with their albums, though. A specific type of vinyl compound makes sense though. Probably used cheaper stuff for 12"s!
@@segasonic9117 you are right in that the misting/fogging mainly happened with albums that have the cheap rubbish brown covers. But not for the reason you think. Its because they are more porous and allowed the PVC record cover you have on it to pass through to get to the vinyl and react easier. The American covers that use white Artboard that is far more dense and strong are a better barrier to the chemical from leeching through. So the brown shitty covers we were inflicted with helped the process to work faster although they were not directly responsible, if that makes sense.
Sounds good!
At 4:38 I swore I heard a budgie chirping! It would have been real horrorshow if it had dropped it's doo dahs on your vinyl!
Hugh Betcha I think a bird did chirp outside ! Hehe
@@DarrenGlen 😁
But why, what even creates misting?
Leon thepro certain PVC plastic outer sleeves from the 80s, they were the ones that felt “sticky”... that leeched petrochemical fumes over the years and reacted with certain inner sleeves and certain vinyl formulations, with some help from heat along the way. It seems some PVC sleeves haven’t leeched as badly, some vinyl formulations haven’t reacted with the leeching, and cold storage conditions have avoided misting/fogging. Sometimes you are just unlucky
Darren Glen I see, but does this remove the misting or does it just put a shiny surface ontop of it? Does it play better?
Leon thepro watch the video !
Darren Glen no sound clip for before and after...
Leon thepro there was....maybe RUclips has removed it the bastards
Icehouse!!