White flecks on vinyl

Hello all,

I'm unsure what the substance is on the wax. Thinking it could be some kind of paint, seeing the consistency of the spots being rock hard. Both releases I bought second hand at different times from different people, though these seem to be very similar white specks.

I mistakenly thought I could just use a professional cleaner, with sound waves, but that did naught. Can't even flip m off with a nail it seems.

Anybody have an idea how this can be cleaned off? Any insights would be greatly appreciated seeing one of the records I'm still really hoping hoping to spin in a mix again (:

Thanks!

I don´t know but I assume mistakes in the productionprocess. Most likely a mistake in the cooling down phase or too much heat on the vinylblock

Not 100% of your exact situation, but when I would spin clean my records, some times dust would 'collect' into these tiny white specks in the groove that aligns to what you describe above.

The needle would skip or get stuck on it and/or the record would not play through it.

I would spray the spot with cleaner, let it soak and slowly, carefully, pick at it with my nail (sometimes using a cloth between). I found if I work it the opposite way the record plays (counter clockwise), it would eventually free up. This could take several 'rounds' of spray and soak. But like I said you have to be very careful and patient. I have found sonic cleaning does not fix it, you have to rid them by hand.

Additionally this would happen sometimes not from cleaning, but just from playing. The the needle can 'collect' dust and these tiny specks can form and get stuck in the grooves.

I did some research and found the recommendation is to regularly use a brush to get the dust out of the grooves (before playing) and if a record looks dusty, before spin cleaning, use the brush and a damp appropriate cleaning cloth to get as much loose dust off the record before spin or sonic cleaning. (I am not sure if sonic cleaning alone will cause these to form, the only time I have seen them after a cleaning is when I used a manual spin cleaner 'tank').

Hope this helps and good luck!

Sounds like a vinyl flaw. See if you can get a closer look with a magnifying glass or a digital scope and you will see if it is a foreign object on the vinyl or that some vinyl material is missing and it is an inside filler being exposed. I found this once on my records and was surprised as the more I tried to clean it (pick at it) the bigger it got and debris was falling off it. Thankfully it was an old K-Tel record where endless copies are available, yet still unfortunate. If that's the case, you may need to look for another one.

Extremely late reply, made some photos of the vinyl

https://ibb.co/mVbQqd0T
https://ibb.co/N234KTDs

I reckon it's not some kind of flaw but more spatters from something or other..

Anybody come across something like this before?

If that is paint (what u think it is), as it does look like paint splatters, put your finger over each one does it feel like a huge bump as then that will be a splatter. if it feels flat but u CANT see a groove line through it. Its prob still paint flattened down through cleaning. if u can see the grooves prob maufacturing error but doesnt look it from pics. If u have tried a water based cleaning solution and it did nothing that would mean its a oil based paint. Wall paints indoor (let go with it was stored indoors) are generally water based (aside bathroom and kitchen paint). The paints used for window frames and skirting (gloss paint) is oil based. This wont shift with anything that u use to clean the vinyl that is water based cleaning solution.

Its a major risk up to u totally........ AT YOUR OWN RISK lol Get some White Spirit from your local DIY merchants. White spirit breaks down the oil based paint with ease but will spread it around the vinyl (maybe so ull have to find a way of sponging it off) or ull be cleaning the vinyl for a bit, if it is gloss paint. U can also try Purple spirit (methelayted spirit) which is less harmful. but i dont think that will work. The bottles that white spirt comes in is plastic.. why maybe..just maybe it might not damage the plastic based vinyl.

Edit: Lastly to add even if u do clean the paint off the record and its looks clean to the eye.... ur stylus will pick up the microscopic particals of paint u couldnt remove in the grooves. thus u wont be able to remove it off your stylus after if u play the record. The stylus cleaning solution (isopropyl alcohol based) wont remove gloss of it... all i can suggest for that is put it bk in the ulrasonic cleaner to dislodge any particals of loose paint before u play that vinyl again.

DJKIDC

Thanks! I was thinking it's paint too. Will have a look if some white spirit will do the trick.
It's already unplayable atm, can't possibly get any worse (;

sorry for the edit u might have to re-read it, the last part ZzzirK

hope that helps

DJKIDC

Thanks for that add! I'll be sure to give it another go-around after, IF I manage to get the specks off with a spirit (: