Reparing Skips In Vinyl Records

The first thing to make sure if a record is skipping is that it is clean from dust grease and debris.

Reparing skips in vinyl records.

The more likely of the two when a new vinyl record is skipping is the setup but we will dive into the usual causes in both categories. Remove the record by touching it only by the edges. Your best friend when confronted with a skip on a record is a wooden tooth pick. Turn the record with the palms of your hand.

You need to play the record on the vinyl again for the testing process. Put your thumb on the outside edge and middle finger on the label to prevent dirt and oils on the record s surface. Vinyl records certainly were not the most durable forms of media we ve ever had but they sure do sound great when in good condition. One shortcut is to see if the record skips in the same place every time.

But for the heavier skips there are generally two possible culprits. We don t suggest anyone perform the repair of the parts like arm or stylus as it needs some precision. Fill the measuring cup with distilled de ionized water. By using a magnifying glass you can examine the vinyl and find where the problem is.

After one side is clean flip it over and do the other. Your best friend when confronted with a skip on a record is a wooden tooth pick. This will remove dust and particles that build up quickly on our records. If the problem remains the same then there is a greater chance that it might be due to some issue in the parts of vinyl.

The vinyl will remain soft for a while after washing and wet playing the record can damage it so make certain the grooves are totally dry. Rinse out the measuring cup with tap water. Allow the record to dry completely before you attempt to play it. Blotting or air drying on a soft lint free towel works well.

Look for dust that is embedded in the grooves and for any visible scratches. Dirty records can skip. The first remedy is to always dry clean your records with a carbon fiber brush every time you put a record on your turntable to play it. Allow the soapy water to drain from the sink.

Records can suffer from all sorts of deterioration much of it causing unwanted skipping or audio distortion. Play the record again and see if it skips. Pour the distilled de ionized water from the measuring cup onto the scratch. Some of these problems can be remedied while others are permanent.