Cleaning my disks

There are a number of ways to clean records varying from brushes, liquids and cloths to expensive cleaning machines. I have a very cheap and effective way of cleaning my records which yields excellent results every time.

You will need a few things:
A tub of PVA glue (some people use wood glue but I haven't tried it before)
A dust free surface with no static (I use a small hand towel on my kitchen table)
An old credit card or similar
A dirty record in need of a good clean!

To start with - lie your record down with the (I've chosen a Neil Diamond LP from 1967 which is rather dirty) and pour a small amount of PVA glue around the penultimate track of the side. Using your card, push the glue to within 3 or 4mm of the central label being very careful not to touch the label with any glue.

Once you have done this all the way around spread the glue out using the card to the outer edge of the record, I usually go to within a few mm of the edge of the record. If you need to add more glue then do so but add it a little at a time. You're aiming for the whole record to be covered with a hint of the black vinyl colour showing through. As long as its covered - the amount you use isn't important.

Leave the record overnight and when the glue starts to dry, peel a tiny flap back (choose an area where the glue is see through NOT WHITE!) and leave until all of the glue is set.

Use the tiny flap that you created to carefully peel the glue from the record and hey presto, your record will be nice and shiny.

Be sure to stash the record straight into a paper sleeve as static can be an issue immediately after peeling.

I cannot be held responsible if you try this method and it doesn't work for you, it works really well for me and I swear by it but if you're in doubt - try it on a record that's 'expendable' (is there such a thing?) before ruining your Beatles first pressing!

Purchases this week:
U2 - Rattle and hum gatefold
Gregory Isaacs - Crucial cuts

Record of the week:
Brass construction - self titled (awesome funky disco!)