By
eHow Electronics Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
- Carbon-fiber Record Brush
- Record-cleaning Machines
- Stylus Cleaning Brush
- Record-cleaning Kits
- Acid-free Tissue Paper
Step1
Wash hands before playing records.
Step2
Clean new or dirty records. (See "How to Clean a Vinyl Record.")
Step3
Handle records by rim and label areas only.
Step4
Clean stylus regularly. (See "How to Clean a Turntable Stylus.")
Step5
Replace stylus after 400-600 hours of play.
Step6
Make sure turntable tonearm is balanced properly.
Step7
Use lightest tracking force recommended for your cartridge.
Step8
Replace inner sleeves of your LPs with acid-free rice paper or high-density polyethylene sleeves.
Step9
Put away records immediately after playing them.
Step10
Store records in an upright position.
Step11
Use shelving made specifically for records, with sturdy dividers about 6 inches apart. Make sure cabinet can support 45 pounds per foot without shelves bowing.
Step12
Keep record cabinet in a cool, dry place. If that's not practical, store records in a room with a relatively constant temperature.
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Just use your common sense... be careful! This things are destroyable if not taken care of, but they're easy to take care of.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Use the at least the minimum amount of tracking force required by the manufacturer. If the stylus is too light, it will skip easily and will not ride the bottom of the groove, destroying your vinyl quicker. Remember: Change that needle!