Page 1 of 1
5-inch brown wax cylinder question
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2026 7:16 pm
by Zenger
Greetings. I am going to be transporting a bunch of 5-inch brown wax cylinders (among many other things) by car over the course of 2 long days. The cylinders are all in cases and will be well-packed on top of that, but I'm wondering about temperature fluctuation, and whether or not it might affect the cylinders negatively. It would be much easier for me if I could leave them in my SUV overnight on both nights, but the temperatures outside will likely get down close to or even below freezing. Could this damage them in any way, or make them more susceptible to damage? Any other tips/advice for getting them from place to place safely? Thanks!
Re: 5-inch brown wax cylinder question
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2026 7:46 pm
by phonogfp
Five-inch cylinders will not be damaged by freezing temperatures, as long as they are allowed to assume room temperature over the course of many hours or a day. Don't remove the box lids once back inside. It's the rapid temperature changes that do the harm.
George P.
Re: 5-inch brown wax cylinder question
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2026 8:08 pm
by Zenger
Thank you very much, George. Do I need to worry about the inside of the SUV heating up too quickly the next day?
Re: 5-inch brown wax cylinder question
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2026 6:32 am
by phonogfp
Zenger wrote: Mon Jan 05, 2026 8:08 pm
Do I need to worry about the inside of the SUV heating up too quickly the next day?
As long as the records remain in their boxes with lids on (and especially if the records/boxes are packed into larger closed cardboard boxes), I wouldn't worry. Keep them in the back away from the heating vents.
George P.
Re: 5-inch brown wax cylinder question
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2026 11:42 am
by JerryVan
A few weeks ago, someone mentioned this exact same situation. Their solution was to place the records in a cheap, styrofoam cooler, which allowed for a very slow transition in temperature, (either up or down). It was important, as George suggests, not to open up the cooler, (or cartons), until after several hours of having returned to room temperature. Their previous transporting attempts, without the cooler, resulted in broken cylinders.
I once removed a 5" cylinder in a slightly cool room. With two or three fingers holding the cylinder from inside, the heat of my hand caused it crack. I was unhappy...
