Protecting Your Collection

[Hakaristi]

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.

[absurdexposition]

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.

[Soloman Tump]

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

[FreakAnimalFinland]

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.

[Zeno Marx]

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.

[impulse manslaughter]

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.

[absurdexposition]

PVC is the enemy. Unfortunately there are still a bunch of new releases coming out using them.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

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...

[Theodore]

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 ?

[Zeno Marx]

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).

[acsenger]

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.

[-NRRRRK-]

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.

[Theodore]

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.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

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.

[Haare]

Finding one item that you forgot to remove from sleeve...

Happened to me recently with Boris - Solomon vol.1...other side is unplayable now.