How to clean surface noise from a 78

[MisterGramophone]

You could just keep it as it is. Most collectors will just subconsciously filter out the surface noise.

[Edisonfan]

You could just keep it as it is. Most collectors will just subconsciously filter out the surface noise.

Although, I took Curt’s advice and used WD-40, which seemed to help a bit.

[FredSugarHall_fan]

Probably the most interesting solution to the issue of noise suppression comes from the Jan. 1920 issue of The Talking Machine World:


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Has anyone tried this and does anyone know if it does/will work? If not, I will test this one out on my own. Most of my records don't have surface noise that bothers me but others who listen to my collection have sometimes pointed it out.

[Curt A]

I have been using WD-40 for over 40 years with no negative effects. It is not a miracle cure to make a record new again, and if you have a pristine copy, it is not necessary.

I experimented with it because the more desirable records I was interested in didn't seem to exist in excellent condition, or if they did, I couldn't afford them. Most records that have been overplayed not only sound bad but they look bad too. I found that the light lubrication in WD-40 was not like using motor oil or furniture polish, which was popular at one time. It seems to loosen up the gunk in the grooves and provide enough lubrication to improve overplayed records. It also has a rejuvenating effect on dried out shellac, improving the appearance. After cleaning, play a few times with a steel needle to remove crud.

It also has another restorative effect on black japanned brass bell horns. I hate scratches and have repaired scratched up horns by touching them up with a Sharpie, instead of repainting them (paint never matches up). The touched up scratches become obvious because of the different gloss between the Sharpie and the old dried out paint. Don't worry... the magic happens when you wipe the horn (after touch up) with WD-40 on a soft cloth or paper towel, then wipe it off. The touched up spots disappear and the horn looks rejuvenated... Try it and you'll be surprised.

[Inigo]

Hi, Curt... Never asked before... I was one who used that wax sprayed furniture rejuvenator 'Pronto', on old records and certain labels, which produced a lubrication, nice shiny aspect, and a characteristic odour too... It wasn't bad, as I loved the Pronto smell. It made bad records run better under the needle, and the gunk it extracted from the grooves I believe was the mixture of actual gunk shuffled out from the grooves by the creamy wax substance. It worked well.
I've never tried wd40, though, because of the soft, odd penetrating smell...
Nevertheless, I'm tempted to try, and here's the question; have you ever tried with bamboo needles? Does wd40 improve the bamboo playability of those bamboo-rebel records?
Also think that using a fine bristled dedicated brush to help extending the product within the grooves would still improve their effect... After degunking with Pronto, I used to brush the grooves in the idea that the waxy product was better extended this way...
Nevertheless, I remember that some labels were decolorated with the Pronto treatment. But one learned to distinguish at first sight which labels improved with the Pronto and which could be decolorated... I was 18 by then... Times, ahhh...