Want to know how to fix a warped record? Then give this article a read. Record players have been with us for quite some time and just like any other mechanical device, they too are subject to usual wear and tear.
There can be many reasons behind this, the most common one being neglect, as people nowadays have become busy in their lives. Due to this, they don’t get much time to look after things. The other reasons might include rough handling of the device, accumulation of dirt, improper lubrication of parts, etc.
Out of all the issues mentioned above, neglect is the one that mostly leads to the warping of records. This can jeopardize the exclusivity of your collection and can spoil the copy of your favorite symphonies, getting a replacement of which could be difficult. So, today we will specifically focus on this issue and how to fix a warped record if it ever happens to you.
STEPS TO FIX YOUR WARPED RECORD
Flattening Warped Vinyl Records
The first, most practical solution to fixing a warped record is to try and flatten it. You can do this by putting the vinyl record between two heavy objects and leave it there for weeks or even months if possible. Applying pressure constantly should flatten the disk, but you need to be patient. But, before doing this, ensures that both the sides of the disk are clean as even minute dust particles can spoil the disk permanently.
Flattening Disk Through Heat And Pressure
Consider this as the last resort because if you have ever gone through the warnings and guidelines, you must be knowing how wrong this can go. If you are serious about doing this, then follow the below steps-
- Take two glass panes that can be put in your oven easily.
- Put the record in between the glass panes, but before doing this, make sure that the vinyl record is clean and completely free from dirt.
- Now preheat the oven to its lowest temperature and put the glass panes along with the record into the oven and leave it there for at least 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, take the glass sandwich out and let it cool to the room temperature.
- Now, take out the record and check if the warping is fixed. If somehow it still is in the same condition, try repeating the process with a higher temperature or keeping it for a longer duration.
But, don’t take it as the best option available and see it more as a last resort. Where other fixes are mostly simple and harmless, this can cause a host of problems like the release of toxic fumes and general danger that you might get yourself into.
Preventing Warping Of Record
This might seem a bit too obvious, but the best way to fix a warped disk is to avoid it happening in the first place. For this, there are some general guidelines that you can follow.
- The first one being preventing exposure to direct sunlight, as this can cause warping due to the heat. This can easily be done by putting records away from windows or doors or at any place that heats up.
- The second thing to consider is avoiding stacking of records because records are quite heavy on an individual basis. When you stack the vinyl records together, the weight of the above vinyl records puts pressure on the bottom record, which can cause them to warp. This can also scratch and scuff them, so stacking your vinyl records vertically is the best option.
- Lastly, keep your records away from humidity as it can also warp them, if there is no option other than keeping your vinyl records in a humid area then consider using a dehumidifier in that place to ensure the longevity of your records.
- You can also buy record cover sleeves and put your records into it and prevent dust and dirt accumulating in here.
CONCLUSION
These were some of the steps that you can take to fix a warped record, and we hope we could have helped you out. If you are aware of any new methods on how to fix a warped record apart from the ones mentioned above, then feel free to share it in the comment section.