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"Glue Cleaning" Your LP's

So here's something I heard about and am getting ready to try: "Glue Cleaning." Apparently if you put a thin film of glue on a record and let it dry for a few hours, the glue bonds to every tiny particle deep in the grooves and you can then peel off the entire glue sheet to remove everything it picked up.

It was recommended to use wood glue or Elmer's glue, spreading it with a foam applicator to keep it evenly distributed. I will of course be trying this only with records marked for "experimentation" (a.k.a. records I hate).

Has anyone heard of this technique? Does anyone have any first-hand experience with it?

-Dusty
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heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
It sounds like this is a method that some people actually use, and no one has any horror stories or negative experiences of any kind!

For those of you who have tried this, what is your method for getting the peel started? I've used a pin to get under the dried skin in the dead wax at the end, but I probably won't want to risk making scratches when I finally decide to try the glue method on a record I actually listen to.

Also, on what kind of surface do you set your records as they dry?

-Dusty
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sidssp
1,077 posts
 
I use sticky pad (http://www.handstands.com/retail/automotive-accessories/sticky-pad.php). It is washable, doesn't leave residue, cheap, and effective.
heyitsmedusty's avatar
heyitsmedusty OP
227 posts
 
Sidssp -- As far as a sticky pad goes, I use a Nagoaka roller that employs the same principle as what you posted, but it doesn't do nearly the same kind of job that glue does. The glue actually creates a bond with the particles within the grooves, and easily pulls away from the smooth vinyl. It's really kind of amazing.
kenyonbm
141 posts
 
A process of this type was patented in 1980 by Muller; Maximilian E.

US Patent 4,199,375

He uses polyvinyl alcohol. (which is "Used with polyvinyl acetate to make Elmer's glue" From Wikipedia.)
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