Thought there was a previous thread covering this but couldn't find via search so...
Have recently moved noise collection into a different room with lots of sunlight and was curious what others do, if anything, to protect their collection from sun damage and fading? Currently considering attaching some kinda blackout curtain to shelves.
The only practical solution to keeping a collection "on display" in a bright room is light filtering curtains for the windows - keeps the rooms bright, but doesn't harm the media.
Pitchfork and barrels of boiling tar to keep it protected....
But on the serious side, I picked up some free wardrobes via Gumtree that have sliding doors. So it's not on display but all nicely tucked away and safe. Got a dehumidifier in there too
One thing I am surprised that so many do not know, is that PCV plastic sleeves damage vinyl records. There is some sort of chemical reaction with pvc to pvc, and for example my AUBE LP+7" on Praxis Dr Bearmann is ruined. So was GOAT/TEF split 7" on... dada drumming. I just noticed friend had Con-Dom "color of mans skin" on its PVC sleeves, and there was large areas already turning "matte".
Some sort of chemical reaction also happens with xerox covers and insert inside PVC sleeves. I just had couple 2nd hand 7"s stored for couple decades in thick pvc sleeves, and despite thick cardboard covers, both vinyl and the xerox inserts all ruined...
I recommend to simply discarding all those shitty thick pvc sleeves. I don't know why they still keep making and using them. Many times when you hear people complain how shitty old pic LP's sound like, well... it can be partly due being packaged in pvc sleeves which will add that nasty hissing sound on top of vinyl. There is no way cleaning it anymore.
The PVC reaction is how an original Merzbow - Antimonument picture disc got damaged. As you said, turned matte, then clear layers of PD cracked. A picture disc and bad packaging is a combination of problems.
Old dressers work great for keeping media away from the sun. It's too bad the old library card catalogues are so pricey now. They're perfect for cassettes, and some of the bigger ones work well for CDs as well.
Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on November 21, 2021, 06:48:02 PM
One thing I am surprised that so many do not know, is that PCV plastic sleeves damage vinyl records. There is some sort of chemical reaction with pvc to pvc, and for example my AUBE LP+7" on Praxis Dr Bearmann is ruined. So was GOAT/TEF split 7" on... dada drumming. I just noticed friend had Con-Dom "color of mans skin" on its PVC sleeves, and there was large areas already turning "matte".
Some sort of chemical reaction also happens with xerox covers and insert inside PVC sleeves. I just had couple 2nd hand 7"s stored for couple decades in thick pvc sleeves, and despite thick cardboard covers, both vinyl and the xerox inserts all ruined...
I recommend to simply discarding all those shitty thick pvc sleeves. I don't know why they still keep making and using them. Many times when you hear people complain how shitty old pic LP's sound like, well... it can be partly due being packaged in pvc sleeves which will add that nasty hissing sound on top of vinyl. There is no way cleaning it anymore.
Yes, this! Dot Dot Dot used these sleeve for their 7"s. You have to replace them or they'll stick to you vinyl or sleeves.
PVC is the enemy. Unfortunately there are still a bunch of new releases coming out using them.
This also affects some older "library case", "butterfly" tape boxes. I'm sure one knows what I mean. Several older Banner Productions big pvc box stuff. Some old MSNP stuff etc. It is the PVC plastic that melts into Xerox covers. Some old Deathpile tapes, I would never try to remove digital full color cover prints from the pvc box. They are stuck there and you'd lose part of the print or even rip cover if you would try...
In the end, I don't care of these cover reactions, since good items I do not intend to sell. It will be someones duty when I'm on the grave, hah.. But the PVC sleeve vs vinyl reaction is what is annoying. Finding one item that you forgot to remove from sleeve...
Dumb questions probably, but you talk about outer sleeves, right ? How to tell if it's PVC or not ? To me it's all 'plastic' . Anyone a recommendation with what to replace them ? Link ?
Quote from: Theodore on November 27, 2021, 02:23:39 PM
Dumb questions probably, but you talk about outer sleeves, right ? How to tell if it's PVC or not ? To me it's all 'plastic' . Anyone a recommendation with what to replace them ? Link ?
Thicker, very clear plastic. Commonly found on picture discs with no other packaging and those multiple video/cassette boxes (there are single cassette boxes too, but usually used with multiple cassettes).
Quote from: Theodore on November 27, 2021, 02:23:39 PM
Dumb questions probably, but you talk about outer sleeves, right ? How to tell if it's PVC or not ? To me it's all 'plastic' . Anyone a recommendation with what to replace them ? Link ?
Put the record in an antistatic inner sleeve. I use Mofi (https://mofi.com/products/mfslis_original_master_record_inner_sleeves_pack_of_50) for LPs. There are sleeves for 10" and 7" records too. In fact, I keep pretty much all my vinyl in such sleeves.
Quote from: Theodore on November 27, 2021, 02:23:39 PM
Anyone a recommendation with what to replace them ? Link ?
If you can order from Germany without having to give a kidney and arm for shipping, I recommend these: https://protected.de/en/lp-protective-sleeves-made-from-pe-1000
Also their padded innersleeves are good and not to expensive as well.
Thanks guys. I ll replace them. Both inner and outer. Prices are fine, i have no excuse not to do it, since my collection isnt big anyway. You know, products that have to do with collections, preservation, audiophile, 'peace of one's mind' etc. can reach crazy prices. i.e how about a $7 sleeve ? https://www.bagsunlimited.com/category/160/polyester-mylar-record-sleeves . OK, if a record worth 500, may deserve that sleeve. Still, i doubt i would buy it even then.
When living in Europe, protected seems very easy and good place to order.
I manufacture my own mailers and cardboard boxes locally, to get better quality stuff than is available at protected. Also LP sleeves, I made 12" sleeves in local plastic factory. Of course negative for private customers is that you got to make like 20000 to have decent price. Then you can make it better. PP plastic, and size made to normal LP's. Thickness of sleeves and clarity is better than with linked PE sleeves of Protected. With those, you end up having shelves look like one grey plastic wall... protected, but I prefer to be able to read spines easily, hah..
Inside LP's, this is often good. If you have printed innersleeves, rigid covers or something where you can even hear the scratching sound when pulling out LP, or putting it in, this can be good solution:
https://protected.de/en/lp-inner-covers-no-produced-by-nagaoka-1006
Very thin anti-static innersleeve that fits inside paper innersleeves.
Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on November 27, 2021, 01:57:11 PM
Finding one item that you forgot to remove from sleeve...
Happened to me recently with Boris - Solomon vol.1...other side is unplayable now.
Quote from: Haare on December 05, 2021, 06:09:15 PM
Quote from: FreakAnimalFinland on November 27, 2021, 01:57:11 PM
Finding one item that you forgot to remove from sleeve...
Happened to me recently with Boris - Solomon vol.1...other side is unplayable now.
Damn, that's a legitimate tragedy! This thread has my PVC paranoia on high alert...
I'm a little confused after reading this thread and continued to google and read a long thread on Discogs about the same issues. But are you talking about the ones that PAN had in the beginning in all the releases that they screen printed on? Are these PVC sleeves?
Quote from: Mattias G on December 07, 2021, 12:58:39 AM
I'm a little confused after reading this thread and continued to google and read a long thread on Discogs about the same issues. But are you talking about the ones that PAN had in the beginning in all the releases that they screen printed on? Are these PVC sleeves?
Forgive my ignorance of the releases in question, but as stated above by another user PVC sleeves are thick (not sure of exact mil) very clear plastic sleeves usually used for picture discs. They have a very distinct look and hard almost crunchy feel. I don't mean to muddy the conversation as I said above I'm unaware (or at least thing I am) of the releases you're speaking about, but perhaps this description can help you deduce whether or not they are. They're the sleeves typical used for lots of metal pic discs in the 80s. Just had to change out some for older metal releases I have and thankfully they did not seem to be damaged miraculously.
A five minute video showing the damage that PVC causes in record jackets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXG-EblnfPs
I use resealable sleeves (https://www.spincare.co.uk/products/spincare-clarity-bopp-blake-slim-12-outer-record-sleeves-pack-of-50).