Well, assuming that the 78s weren't exposed to heat from the steam pipe
break and that they have only a water soaking, there's probably nothing
wrong with them except for some potential label damage. Check for obvious
warpage or cracking and dispose of those records. The ones that appear
undamaged otherwise should be removed from any damaged paper sleeves and
rewashed as quickly as possible to remove any wet paper residue while
protecting their labels from the washing. Shellac records (or vinyl or
styrene 45s) are not damaged by washing in water. They should then be
thoroughly rinsed with distilled water, dried, and returned to new record
sleeves.
The analog audio equipment is another story. About the only thing to do
is to dry it out COMPLETELY, then check each piece carefully for any signs
of water damage. Older equipment that does not contain circuit boards may
well survive with little more than a good drying out, then maybe a brushing
out of any foreign residue from the chassis. Circuit boards need to be
checked for evidence of water stains that can cause short circuits. These
stains can often be cleaned off with alcohol and a stiff brush. Some of the
capacitors might need to be replaced, but that needs to be determined on an
individual basis. Mechanical equipment such as turntables and tape decks
will need to have their mechanics cleaned and relubricated. But most of
this equipment is probably recoverable if there is interest in doing it.
Greg Bogantz
----- Original Message -----
From: "Thatcher Graham" <[email protected]>
To: "Antique Phonograph List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, December 22, 2008 12:58 PM
Subject: [Phono-L] [Fwd: [CBI] Wet 78s and broadcast equipment -
needrestoration help]
>A heartbreaking story of damaged 78s in Atlanta.
> If any of you have experience in this matter please let me know.
>
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [CBI] Wet 78s and broadcast equipment - need restoration help
> Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:21:38 -0500
> From: Thomas Shanks <[email protected]>
> Reply-To: College Broadcasters, Inc <[email protected]>
> To: [email protected]
>
>
>
> From The Collegiate Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI) Listserv>>
>
> Our radio station's storage area was steamed in a sauna from a broken
> steam pipe for probably 7 days before we were informed last week. We have
> a full complement of high-quality used analog studio equipment (an entire
> disassembled old studio) and a few hundred 78s that were too wet to handle
> until today as the room was dried with a dehumidifier. They are still
> damp, so it's time to do what we need to do to save what can be saved.
>
> What should we do to save the 78s?
>
> What should we do to save the reel tape?
>
> And the audio equipment?
>
> Thank you for any help you can give,
>
> Thomas Shanks
> Chief Engineer
> WREK Georgia Tech Student Radio
>
>
> --
> Thatcher Graham
> Senior Field Engineer
> Mediaguide
> 640 Freedom Business Ctr. STE 305
> King of Prussia, PA 19406
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Phono-L mailing list
> http://phono-l.oldcrank.org
