Vinyl records are a popular way to listen to music, but they can be easily damaged. One common concern is whether touching the record can damage it.
How Touching Vinyl Can Damage It
The surface of a vinyl record is covered in very small grooves that contain the music. When you touch the record, your fingers can leave fingerprints or other marks on the grooves. These marks can cause the stylus to skip or jump, which can damage the record.
In addition, your fingers can also transfer oils and dirt to the record. These oils and dirt can build up over time and cause the record to warp or become unplayable.
How to Prevent Touching Vinyl From Damaging It
There are a few things you can do to prevent touching vinyl from damaging it:
- Handle your records with care. Avoid touching the surface of the record if possible. If you do need to touch the record, do so only by the edges.
- Use a record cleaning brush to remove dust and dirt from the record before playing it.
- Store your records in a protective sleeve. This will help to keep them clean and free of fingerprints.
Conclusion
Touching vinyl can damage it, but there are a few things you can do to prevent it. By handling your records with care, cleaning them before playing them, and storing them in a protective sleeve, you can help to keep your records in good condition for years to come.
Additional Tips
- If you do touch a record, clean it immediately with a record cleaning brush or a record cleaning solution.
- If you are concerned about your records being damaged, you can purchase a record guard. A record guard is a piece of plastic that fits over the record and protects it from scratches and fingerprints.
- When you are not using your records, store them in a cool, dry place. This will help to prevent them from warping or getting damaged.
