Mike/The Vinyl Archivist thinks about cleaning and preserving vinyl with the same care and enthusiasm you have for collecting vinyl. When you send him records, you can feel confident that they will return in a manner where every ounce of potential sonic depth has been extracted. Even the return packaging is simply fantastic and completely protective.

Owner, PopShop Record Stop

Jeff Carney

PopShop Record Stop

I have a rare LP visually appearing to be EX, and despite multiple attempts of cleaning with other solutions and machines, the record always sounded more like a VG record. I became increasingly frustrated and brought the record to The Vinyl Archivist – now the LP sounds like it appears. I couldn’t be more satisfied! Highly recommended!!!

“The records cleaned on the ultrasonic machine sound pretty great.”

See the difference before you hear it

Every record, even if it looks clean, is likely soiled with a wide range of contaminants including dust, mold and mildew. Vinyl discs are also coated with sticky mold-release compounds during manufacturing. These contaminants stand between the groove and stylus, causing abrasive mistracking, resulting in unnecessary, excessive wear to both record and stylus. By interfering with proper groove tracing, dirty records produce inaccurate, noisy sound.

Proper cleaning of your records not only preserves playback, but the investment you have made in your equipment as well.

Before and after 400X microscope images of an ultrasonically cleaned LP

New records are dirty too

New records have a coating applied to the vinyl often referred to as a mold release agent. This compound is used in the record pressing plant to separate the metal stampers from the vinyl (think of cooking with oil in a pan). When the compound dries it leaves a sticky film that produces noise during playback. It is also likely that small airborne particles in the record factory will stick in the grooves producing noise even on brand new records. The stylus will pick up some of this sticky gunk and affect the playback of your other records as well.

An ultrasonic cleaning is perfect for removing the mold release agent and leaving your new records as minty fresh as you thought you were getting when you unsealed the sleeve.

Volume Discounts

I am confident that once you see and hear what a proper cleaning can do for your records, you will want to clean the rest of your collection. With the custom designed shipping boxes that I offer it is convenient and simple to send a large quantity of records for cleaning.

Take advantage of the rolling series of discounts I offer for large orders. Visit the Services & Pricing page for specifics.

Preserve Your Equipment

Dirt, dust and grime in your record grooves doesn’t just wear out the record sooner – it adds unnecessary wear to your stylus. Pops and clicks can be caused by the stylus coming into contact with particles in the grooves obstructing the path. This causes wear to both the record and the stylus tip.

Proper cleaning of your records not only preserves playback, but the investment you have made in your equipment as well.

Archive Your Sleeves

Your records sleeves are valuable outside of just housing your vinyl – many are works of art themselves or textual artifacts that tell the story behind the music. Don’t let dirty or damaged sleeves lessen the value of your records.

Proper archival cleaning and storage of your record sleeves can help prevent ringwear, splits, and remove decades old grime on vintage sleeves.