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At Freestyle Vinyl, our custom vinyl records should not need any flattening or other efforts to play effortlessly on your turntable, but that doesn’t mean the same is true of your entire collection – from new to old vinyl, knowing how to flatten your records can help increase their longevity and keep some money in your pocket!
Vinyl records are not just a mode of music playback; they are tangible artifacts that hold a special place in the hearts of music enthusiasts and collectors alike. However, one common issue that can arise with vinyl records over time is warping. A warped record can significantly affect sound quality and even damage the stylus of your turntable. Fortunately, there are methods to remedy this problem, and in this article, we will guide you through the process of flattening your vinyl records using a step-by-step approach.
Vinyl records, although resilient, can sometimes become warped due to factors like improper storage, exposure to temperature fluctuations, or even manufacturing defects. A warped record can result in uneven playback, distorted sound, and can potentially damage your turntable over time. To address this issue and restore your vinyl records to their original playable state, you need to learn how to flatten a vinyl record effectively.
A high quality turntable setup should still be able to play a record even when it is not perfectly flat. Some warping in the vinyl is not a guarantee that there will be playback issues! But in more extreme cases, even a thousand dollar turntable setup will struggle to provide you with a quality sound output.
There are several methods out there online for flattening your warped records, including clamps that attach to your turntable, baking your records in your oven (!!) on relatively low-temp heat, and other methods. We have found, in our experience, the below to be the most reliable method of flattening out records.
Please keep in mind that results may vary and various methodologies may be needed depending on your vinyl record’s specific issues and warps… and of course, in extreme circumstances, the record simply may be beyond repair (we cringe at the thought!). But read on for our best guide to flattening your vinyl records.
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
Before you embark on the journey of flattening your vinyl record, it's important to gather the necessary materials. You will need:
Step 2: Prepare Your Workspace
Find a clean and spacious area to work on this delicate process. Ensure that your work surface is clean and free of debris that could potentially scratch the record.
Step 3: Clean the Vinyl Record
Before attempting to flatten a vinyl record, it's essential to clean it thoroughly to remove any dust or dirt that could further damage the surface. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the record's surface.
Step 4: Sandwich the Record
Place the clean vinyl record between two pieces of glass or acrylic panes that are larger than the record itself. The panes should be clean and free of any scratches. This setup will help evenly distribute the pressure during the flattening process.
Step 5: Apply Pressure
Place the sandwiched record in a warm and sunny location with the convex side facing up. The sunlight will heat the record and make it more pliable. Allow the record to sit for several hours or even a day, depending on the severity of the warp.
If you aren’t able to actively monitor your record to ensure that the warmth is doing its job, you may try more typical weight / pressure on the sandwiched record. Stack books, boards, or other heavy objects that can distribute their weight evenly across the surface of the sandwiched record.
Step 6: Check Progress
After the designated time has passed, carefully remove the record from the sandwich and inspect it for progress. You may notice that the record has become more pliable and has started to flatten out.
Step 7: Repeat if Necessary
If the record has not fully flattened, you can repeat the process by placing it back in the sandwich and applying pressure for another period of time. Be patient, as this process may need to be repeated multiple times for severely warped records.
Step 8: Store Properly
Once you have successfully flattened the vinyl record, it's crucial to store it properly to prevent future warping. Store your records vertically in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes.
Alternatively, if you have multiple records to flatten or prefer a more controlled approach, you can invest in a record flattener. A record flattener is a specialized device designed to gradually apply heat and pressure to a warped record, effectively restoring its flat shape. This method can be more efficient and reliable, especially for valuable or fragile records.
In conclusion, learning how to flatten records can help you restore warped vinyl records to their original playable state. By following the step-by-step guide outlined above, you can salvage your beloved collection and enjoy the rich sounds of your favorite music once again.
This is not a process reserved for old vinyl records either. New vinyl records are typically flattened during the manufacturing process before they are packaged and shipped to retailers or consumers, as even a brand new, pressed record is susceptible to warping immediately after being pressed. Vinyl records go through a series of steps during production to ensure that they are flat and playable. Warping can occur during various stages of production, including pressing, cooling, and cooling too quickly, so these steps are crucial to producing playable records.
However, if you're looking to avoid the hassle of flattening vinyl records altogether, consider investing in custom vinyl records from Freestyle Vinyl. Their quality-guaranteed vinyl records are meticulously crafted to ensure a flawless listening experience from the moment you receive them. With Freestyle Vinyl's commitment to excellence, you can build a collection of personalized vinyl records that are free from the common issues of warping, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the magic of analog audio.
