Keeping the shrink wrap on record sleeves
DjArcadian
3,632 Posts
I've gotten in the habit of just cutting a slit in the shrink wrap of my new records but I've heard that the shrink wrap can cause warping as it may contract in warmer temperatures. Anyone know more about this or have any negative experiences doing the same?
Comments
Shrink wrap will not hurt your records, that is a bobe-mayse.
The shrink film is very stable. It does not continue to shrink. I have never had seen it pull the ink off the record.
If the wrap is too tight and causing the cover to warp, of course remove it. Obviously the cover will warp long before the record inside.
If there is mold or mildew under the wrap, or if the wrap is filthy, remove it.
Otherwise it is protecting the cover and should be left alone.
Dan
I've definitely seen lots of records where the shrink has bent or otherwise ruined the corners from it shrinking over time.
I always take it off, like people said you can get plastic sleeves for cheap.
I don't even fuck with plastic sleeves, at least on the home shelves. I just keep a stack of the plastic sleeves and sleeve-up a record as appropriate.
Its probably best not to keep your records in their sleeves - ringwear, seam splits,
Let's take this up a level: If a record does not come with it's original inner sleeve do you find one of the exact era and label to restore the record to it's original patina? Or, do you use a fresh new one???
ahhhh... Excellent! I celebrate any new method of segergation amongnst my records.
It doesn't go away with years of record collecting. I only hope to be doing the right thing every time I have to face one of these cruxial moments. And remember, what you do in life with shrink wrapping echoes in eternity.
sometimes i do worry....how do you deal with matching furniture?
If there's printing on it or something special about it like the old ESP brown paper ones or the old Prestige rice paper ones, I will keep them inside the outer plastic sleeve, but I'll still put the record in a new plastic-lined paper inner sleeve. Whew!
I wish we could blame our past dictators on that. I'm afraid this goes deep in the argentinian collective mind. I believe it's people's own fear of freedom. Sad but true.
Y'all ever been in a heated protest with a sign that says "This Is A Tricky Grey Area" like the kid in Arrested Development? I think I'ma do that this week.
How is shrink wrap going to cause ringwear or seam splits
No, I meant you shouldn't keep you records in cardboard sleeves, whether they be shrinked wrapped or not.
Oh, I think your saying take the record out of the cover and store it seperatly. Yes, that is a good way to keep the covers pristine.
I used to try to match up original inner sleeves, but I got bored. I still have a big stack of cool old inner sleeves.
Now I give the record a new clean inner sleeve, but keep the original in the cover for archival purposes.
In other words I suffer from OCD.