[78-L] Cleaning bare aluminum discs?

[Doug Pomeroy]

Hi,

I use a "paint edger" which is a flat pad with very soft, small  
bristles,
perfect for cleaning all coarse-grooved discs.  You can get one at any
hardware or paint store, for about $3 or $4.  I use liquid detergent on
the pad and rinse with water after scrubbing (you can use distilled  
water
if you want your friends to think you are a pro).  I dry the discs with
paper towels and do it fast hoping not to get too much lint in the  
grooves.

I recently cleaned several hundred raw aluminum discs and for a
while I was using Noxon Metal Polish (with the paint edger pad),
but finally realized it was not making any difference to the sound
of my transfers, even tho it did appear to remove a small amount
of tarnish.

Areas of severe corrosion cannot be restored.  I used a tooth brush
and powdered cleanser to remove as much of the loose material
as possible, but severe corrosion obliterates the grooves, so there's
not any way "uncover" them: they aren't there any more!

Don't be afraid of aluminum: it's not exactly fragile.

Doug Pomeroy
Audio Restoration & Mastering Services
Transfers of metal parts, lacquers,
shellac and vinyl discs & tapes.
193 Baltic St
Brooklyn, NY 11201-6173
(718) 855-2650
audiofixer at verizon.net

=====================================

> Message: 3
> Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2012 17:57:07 -0500
> From: Mark Bardenwerper <citrogsa at charter.net>
> Subject: Re: [78-L] Cleaning bare aluminum discs?
> To: 78-L Mail List <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
> Message-ID: <4FE79B43.1070505 at charter.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> On 6/24/2012 5:40 PM, Julian Vein wrote:
>> On 24/06/12 22:01, Bryan Wright wrote:
>>> Recently at an antiques store, I picked up some 10-inch bare  
>>> aluminum
>>> discs, including one intriguingly labeled "Paul Whiteman and His
>>> Orchestra" and dated June 17, 1938. The records are filthy and have
>>> some matter in the grooves. Can anyone offer any tips for safely
>>> cleaning these things? I need a method strong enough to clean the  
>>> gunk
>>> out of the grooves, but obviously I don't want to damage the records
>>> (which otherwise appear to be in decent shape).
>>>
>>>
> Start with soft bristle brush and soapy water. If labels are extant,  
> do
> not wet them. Aluminum records did not survive well. Aluminum oxide  
> set
> in quickly, making a cratered mess of their surfaces.
>
> -- 
> Mark L. Bardenwerper, Sr.
>
> Technology...thoughtfully, responsibly.
>
> Visit me at http://citroen.cappyfabrics.com