The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I have a few Pathé Frères black label vertical-cut records that are very dirty. I want to clean them but afraid to; knowing that different composites demand special treatment. As with Edison DDs, do vertical Pathés require something special or can they be cleaned as if they are Victors?

You can clean them the same way as a Victor.

Sean

Just one word of warning- do not use hot water. I don't know if the french pressings differ from the american ones, but I washed one of the Ca. 1918 red rooster label ones in very hot water from the tap and it went limp in my hands.

Use lukewarm water and mild dish soap to clean Pathé records. They are more heat sensitive than regular 78s, and I imagine the European Pathés are even more so. In some extreme cases, I have sprayed a soft cotton undershirt with original formula "Armor All" vinyl cleaner and wiped the record with that. Then wipe completely dry with a clean cloth. Besides removing stubborn gunk, the silicone in "Armor All" will temporarily give the record a deep black shine. It will also give a worn record enough lubrication that a weak motor won't bog down.

Once again this forum has come through. Thanks very much, everyone.

Reviving a very old thread which I was glad to find, as I have some very old Pathé verticals to clean, and wanted to consult the oracle, having had issues with cleaning the earliest types before - the etched/infilled label-area ones (no paper label; centre start). I too use soapy water, but will do so sparingly in future, as I was upset to find some years ago that the white or yellowish infill material in the etching is somewhat water soluble.

Orchorsol wrote: Fri Nov 21, 2025 3:18 am Reviving a very old thread which I was glad to find, as I have some very old Pathé verticals to clean, and wanted to consult the oracle, having had issues with cleaning the earliest types before - the etched/infilled label-area ones (no paper label; centre start). I too use soapy water, but will do so sparingly in future, as I was upset to find some years ago that the white or yellowish infill material in the etching is somewhat water soluble.

Yes, the etched label Pathé has a water soluble ink, so when cleaning it you need to mask the label area. But if eventually the ink dissolves, you can replace it with a crayon of the same colour, I did that on some records with good result. Just apply the crayon on the title and remove the excess with a cloth. I do that with Blue Amberol records as well.