Warped Vinyl record?

Question

Does anyone knowhow to flatten a warped record? Some genious whom was voted "best answer" on a similar quetion reccommended you lay the record out in the sun, but records melt in the heat? Has he ever owned a record? Anyways, thanks for your help! :)

Answer 1

sorry...once it's warped it's all done....

Answer 2

I am assuming that the record is a 12" LP...

This depends on the degree of warpage. If, as the record turns upon the turntable, the rise and fall is gradual - like a wave, then you should be lucky. If it is a sudden jolt to the pickup cartridge, then you are unlikely to cure this.

As you say, heat can melt vinyl - but some warmth could be useful.The groove walls must be protected. A warm (dry) room is preferred rather than a cold environment.

Place the cleaned record, in its inner-sleeve, upon a completely flat, hard clean surface. Apply firm (but not excessive) pressure, evenly across the record, such as a pile of large hard-back books, ensuring the affected area is covered.

Then it is a question of time. This is mostly down to the vinyl-mix quality and the thickness, of the actual record - the earlier, thicker records take considerably longer - any ultra-thin records, will probably 'warp back' again, sometime later.

Answer 3

I have owned several records, and as far as I know there is no way to mend it back to shape once warped. The inherent problem is that they are not totally flat to begin with. Watch from the side next time you play one. Even in pristine condition, some tend to warble a bit. But as I said, it's not the flatness of the record that's at issue. It's whether the grooves become distorted or not. Once they have become distorted, there is no returning them to their orginal condition. If you're still hell-bent on trying it, you might try placing the record (in its sleeve of course) between two 12 inch ceramic tiles in a warm room for a couple of days. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Use a blowdrier to soften it up, then place under some books for a few hours. REpeat if needed. Won't get it perfect, but does help a bit. You really have to warp it the other way to get it out, but it's risky.