Care and conditioning of your vinyl records and removal of stickers pen writing marker marks as well as other restoration techniques to increase your audio experience updated.

Hi pleased that you are here to visit. My name is Glen I am the founding father of Albumholics Audiophiles Anonymous. Love the way that sounds lol I actually feel like I am providing a very important service by sharing this so we could not only preserve our music on vinyl but actually advance forward one nation under God lol! This imformative guide should help you fully realize the best experience you could have with your vinyl records. One does not have to spend thousands of dollars on an expensive record cleaning system but By following these simple steps you will be on the way to a better listening experience when you spin your freshly cleaned vinyl. Later I will touch upon the chain of steps that are all connected. Vinyl, Stylus, Tonearm, Turntable and its isolation, Step-up or Phono Pre, Amplifier, Speakers. Start at the beginning and find the weakest link and from their make your transition to audio nirvana lol. So lets go through these simple steps to follow and guidlines so read carefully.

Of course it all begins with the actual vinyl. Vinyl is the alpha and omega lol. If buying off of E-bay look at a sellers feedback and learn the record grading guidlines. My E-bay store Albumholics Audiophiles Anonymous is a good beginning point or many others that specialize in records.Look at feedback to judge what a store sells. Record grades are very  simple but to someone not familiar can be confusing to say the least because please research before buying first because G or Good is not good in the record world lol I have received unjust feedback from some that are ignorant to our grading slang. When looking to purchase vinyl first make sure it is not badly warped or scratched. scratches one can feel by running your finger nail over it. Sometimes scuffs look like scratches but really are only marks that do not affect play.About play records are just like basketball and ball handling you need to aquire good record handling skills or you are doomed to failure lol. So please when handling be carefull to keep those grubby fingers off of the actual playing surface.( hands even when washed are full of oils. Oils are a records most deadly enemy they not only contaminate but keep other contaminates imbedded in the record groove not only destroying your listening experience but more difficult to remove and then also breaking your expenisive stylus down with twice as much wear and tear) Use the dead wax or the records outer edge and label to handle. In essence record playing is like a surgeon performing surgery, the one handling the record needs to be void of any contaminates as well as the environment that will intrude on the record album.

When cleaning lps
I recommend a 10/90 solution of denatured alcohol and filtered or
distilled water {fewer impurities in gallon amounts. Some claim that alcohol is
damaging to vinyl but not in my suggested solution. Alcohol
is water soluble and leaves little or no residue. A mild dish soap, such as
Dawn or similar, can be added a drop or two to a gallon of the solution. 

This solution could be applied with a contaminate free soft washcloth, wiping in a
circular motion in direction with the grooves.Be extra cautious do not wet the labels.
Rinse the cloth often in the solution I suggest thoroughly drying the
record with a soft clean towel or drip drying on a dish rack.

Covers are a little trickier. I suggest getting a throw a way to get a feel and idea. Remember the surgey referance lol! Shiny laminated are more simpler
to attempt. Soft rough matte covers for the most part are to
difficult to be successful without removing print or color
use common sense but if you do try to clean
a damp towel can be used. Soft Soap does a nice job on dirt spots especially on white covers.

{Try and test a small spot first to make sure you do not discolor}

 Writing and marks on the cover may sometimes be removed with a rubber eraser.Penmarks it is suggested to use Naphtha or even hairspray
Permanent marker can be removed by marking over it with a dry erase marker,
then wipe with a dry cloth. Stickers, labels, tape and
such can be removed by carefully heating the area with a hair dryer. Heat breaks
down the adhesive makeing it softer and easier to remove sticker and all
without  being  that a great risk of damaging the cover or sleeve. Sticker residue can be
removed with most citus-based cleaners or lighter fluid (Naphtha).

I hope this
guide was helpful in not only providing a better listening experience for you
 but in the actual preservation of our precious vinyl so future albumholics audiophiles
will have the same opportunity as we have been blessed with.If you need help e-mail me at my E-bay store Albumholics Audiophiles Anonymous and I will gladly try and answer your question. Remember our
motto words we live by it is much better to spin your vinyl than spinning your wheels lol! Have a good day!