I have grown to use a particular method to keep my LPs I hope in good order and I was wondering what others do.
I buy Premium anti-static inner sleeves with the rice paper stiffeners provided by many brands and they seem much the same such as MoFi, Big Fudge or Humminguru there are many others. I put these inside new paper inner sleeves (from similar brands as listed above) mainly to preserve the original sleeves and write on them the cleaning date and other notes I want.
I then put the sleeve (with any original papers including original inner sleeves) into a single outer plastic (non-pvc) the records in their anti-stat and paper sleeves go in the same cover but not in the original album sleeve. That way I can take the records out for play without disturbing the sleeve unless I want to.
For me this practice protects the records well with the only downside is that there are several components to it and it makes the record thicker so takes a little more space in the shelving. It is only a small difference but when you multiply it up by a 1000 records or so it does add up.
I used to use the Nagaoka 102 anti-stats slipped into paper sleeves but found the supply to be inconsistent and switched to the rice paper types.
I forgot to mention what I use to clean records. I use either a Humminguru ultrasonic or a Project VC or indeed a combination of both depending on how dirty a record is. I use a formula of my own for the Project cleaner and just distilled water plus a drop or two of surfactant in the ultrasonic machine.
Generally, I do not have an issue with static build-up.
I clean the record on my Okki Nokki RCM, then put it in a Spincare anti stat inner, keeping any printed inner that came with the record
Then the record goes in a 400 g polythene outer
Philistine time.
I only buy my records second-hand these days. Having sold all my LPs along time ago I am gradually replacing them.
When I buy them I usually find they are grubby with finger prints and worse.
I wash them using a washing-up sponge slightly wetted and with a few drops of Fairy washing up liquid (or the Aldi equivalent). Once the LP is wet I use a soft, fine-bristle paintbrush and clean round the grooves a few times, Then a rinse under a slightly lukewarm tap and dry using a clean and soft towel. They are usually sufficiently clean after this procedure but occasionally they require a second clean. I am usually happy with the result, dirt seems to make a lot more noise than scratches (unless they are quite deep, in which case I don’t buy them in the first place).
They usually go back into the same inner sleeve unless it is missing and the outer sleeve is put into a Lidl plastic album sleeve (I presume PVC).
My theory is that as I have no idea how the album has been treated before I got it, I do my best with what’s available.
Anyway, I’m happy with the result.
I’ve been using these high quality PVC gatefold outer covers for special albums. Purchased from Covers33, but now seem permanently out of stock and the price for 20 sleeves has shot up from £35 last August to £50 now!
Anyone any ideas where I can alternatively source similar items?
I concur in endorsing the spincare inners too - the anti static and the archival type are both good.
Their outers are flimsy and next to useless.
I use covers33 outers - I don’t like the Mofi ones as you can’t get the LP back on the shelf unless there’s bags of room.
