Wet Playing Vinyl

It may initially sound better on some old records but the wet surface will dry and just end up leaving more residue overall.

Wet playing vinyl.

The solution you use to wet play also evaporates and causes other problems including not allowing the heated vinyl from the stylus to heat and cool as it does from normal air play. Have you ever tried playing your records sopping wet. Doing so only causes the stylus to spread the abrasive sludge deeper into the grooves possibly doing irreversible damage. Never wet play your vinyl records.

This makes the record sound even worse as the crud dries. Playing wet records does not get rid of dust or lint it will only move it around. Never play or store a wet record. Check out this experiment with a play test included.

Never spritz water or wet play a vinyl record in an attempt to quiet the crackle and pops. It is a myth that playing a wet record will reduce static build up. Do not do this. Thoroughly clean and dry them before playing.

Instead using a record with moisture on it can damage the grooves and create an even bigger mess to clean. A kieth monks style record vacuum may be required to remove washed dirt from the groove bottom. Cleaning records with glue vinyl gong groove burn wet play and more. Most guys are against wet playing records as many feel that the liquid enters the stylus through the cantilever and loosens the glue holding it in place.

The risk of vinyl damage from wet play does exist and it should be tested with your own methods. Make sure that you fully wipe down your records with a microfiber cloth or let them air dry on a cleaning mat. With thousands of records in our music collections the last thing one wants to do is ruin them. Just properly clean your records and you will be better off in the long run.