Any way to seal a flaking laminated Columbia pressing?

[MrRom92]

Today at the record store I found an (otherwise) exceptionally nice 1940’s Columbia repressing of a Louis Armstrong Hot Five disc, using the original 1926 Okeh metal parts. No dubs!

It’s really clean looking and should play well. Only problem is it has a massive section on the edge where the shellac has flaked off and the core is exposed. Thankfully it is only in the “lead-in” area (no actual lead-in on this disc) and does not reach any playing grooves.

That said, I would like to stop it from flaking any further, and I don’t want the core to absorb any moisture or humidity from where it is exposed either. I would like to seal it with something that will be safe for this purpose.

Does anybody have any suggestions or experience doing this? I was thinking liquid electrical tape, as it’s matte black, fairly thin/can be brushed on, and waterproof. It does however have some solvents in it, which I’m not sure might be harmful to the construction or further conservation of the record.

[CarlosV]

Does anybody have any suggestions or experience doing this? I was thinking liquid electrical tape, as it’s matte black, fairly thin/can be brushed on, and waterproof. It does however have some solvents in it, which I’m not sure might be harmful to the construction or further conservation of the record.

I have had very good results with a product named Capitain Toller. It is made to seal cracks in boats, it spreads as water on the surface and when settled it becomes very hard and seals well the surface of these laminated records.. I also use it to estabilize hairline cracks on records.

[emgcr]

Here's the link : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126024991251 ... name=11400

[MrRom92]

Does anybody have any suggestions or experience doing this? I was thinking liquid electrical tape, as it’s matte black, fairly thin/can be brushed on, and waterproof. It does however have some solvents in it, which I’m not sure might be harmful to the construction or further conservation of the record.

I have had very good results with a product named Capitain Toller. It is made to seal cracks in boats, it spreads as water on the surface and when settled it becomes very hard and seals well the surface of these laminated records.. I also use it to estabilize hairline cracks on records.

Thank you for the excellent suggestion! I will have to check it out and see if I can import a bottle to the US. It looks like a good product, especially for stabilizing a crack, however am I wrong to be concerned with how much of this might get absorbed by the core? It seems like this is “wetter than water” and wants to get into any surfaces it can.

[CarlosV]

Thank you for the excellent suggestion! I will have to check it out and see if I can import a bottle to the US. It looks like a good product, especially for stabilizing a crack, however am I wrong to be concerned with how much of this might get absorbed by the core? It seems like this is “wetter than water” and wants to get into any surfaces it can.

The paper of the core will absorb part of the liquid, but this is actually good, as it will harden and seal it, protecting the interior of the record against moisture penetration. I also utilize it to seal edge cracks of Edison records with equally good results.

[MrRom92]

Thank you for the excellent suggestion! I will have to check it out and see if I can import a bottle to the US. It looks like a good product, especially for stabilizing a crack, however am I wrong to be concerned with how much of this might get absorbed by the core? It seems like this is “wetter than water” and wants to get into any surfaces it can.

The paper of the core will absorb part of the liquid, but this is actually good, as it will harden and seal it, protecting the interior of the record against moisture penetration. I also utilize it to seal edge cracks of Edison records with equally good results.

Thanks, that makes sense. I guess it cures before the liquid causes anything to swell as might happen with other fluids. Good to know there’s something for the job!! I’ve never seen a Columbia delaminate as severely as this one.

[melvind]

Amazon sells it in the usa