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How to Renew Old 78 RPM Records That Have Been Fire Damaged

Older phonograph records are made out of lacquer. This is a brittle black substance that pre-dates vinyl and plastic. Sadly, their fragility is not the only drawback of lacquer records; they are also extremely flammable. During the Great Depression, families would burn 78 rpm phonograph records in their fire pits for warmth. Lacquer records create an acrid black smoke that can be very toxic to breathe. Depending on the amount of damage to the records, they may be salvageable.

Things You'll Need

Phonograph records
Record player
Computer
Recording software
Sponge
RCA to 1/8th-inch cable

Instructions

- 1
  
  Pitted records can't be repaired.
  
  Examine each fire-damaged record. If it has any pits or bubbles, it is damaged beyond repair. You may be able to play some of it, but it is generally un-playable and will damage your record player needle if you try.
- 2
  
  Grooves may become distorted.
  
  Using warm, purified water, wipe down the surface of any non-pitted records. Wipe in the direction of the grooves.
- 3
  
  This is an RCA to 1/8th inch cable.
  
  Connect your record player's RCA cable's outputs to your computer's "Line in" input on its sound card.
- 4
  
  Make a recording of your music.
  
  Begin recording.
- 5
  
  Play the record.
  
  Place the needle on the record, and begin the record player.
- 6
  Use the equalizer tools provided with your sound-recording program to help eliminate any "hum" or "crackle" sounds that the record has as a result of heat exposure.

Record Collecting