The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I just bought a small batch of cylinders, and one of them has a coating on it. I don't think it is mold. Can this be cleaned with out damaging the grooves? I don't want to risk playing it and damaging my stylus.
Harvey Kravitz

A photo would be helpful. I have had Blue Amberols that have been NOS have a light graphite on them, it is super super fine and kind of looks like a white dust now. I wonder if that is what is on yours. I don't think many have that coating anymore. When I record a cylinder for someone I usually give the grooves a light dusting of graphite after recording and cleaning the record, the graphite is worn off in about a month of play,during the seasoning period of the record, the graphite helps the cylinder not get worn out, while it is still soft.

I uploaded Harvey's blue Amberol. It either looks like the dye streaked when it was being made. I have also seen effects like this when animal urine, such as mice have eaten into the surface of the cylinder?? What is your thoughts?

The cylinder is a little rough, but the grooves look OK beneath the crud. I'll try warm water, lighter fluid of Goof-Off. Ant thoughts on this? Thanks Shawn for helping me out.
Harvey Kravitz

Dawn and tepid distilled water is the safest I have seen of items one finds in a home to clean cylinders. I use labtone but it is not easy to find in a store. If you want to get really exact records should be cleaned with de ionized water (Walmart) all it is is water with no minerals, in other words distilled water (not nusery water or drinking water.)

Does the affected area have a different feel to it?
It may just be a discoloration and not corrosive to the groove.
If it is not rough or crusty, I'd suggest a gentle cleaning and play it.
You'll know immediately if it's ok or not and I doubt the stylus would suffer from this.

James.

The area on the cylinder is crusty. I played it and the area is a bit noisy but OK. I don't know if the coating can be removed or not. It's a Vernon Dalhart, the Death OF Floyd Collins, so I hope I can restore it.
Harvey Kravitz