vinyl storage

Last time out we discussed protecting comic issues and graphic novels from wear and tear and damage, and how to prepare them for storage if a house move is on the cards. Prospective buyers are a fickle bunch and they may not share your enthusiasm for your hobbies, so it’s best to keep clean minimalist spaces while the house hunters are on the prowl. Just like comics, vinyl records need to be stored appropriately to prevent degradation to the playing surface and ensure a long life for the quality of playback.

Here are a few tips on how you can store your records to protect them from the elements…

Vinyl

Vinyl has come back into vogue in a big way, so it’s vital that you not only keep your collection up to date but to look after your classic records and first pressings.

Step 1: Wash your hands!

The Library of Congress in the United States of America hosts one of the world’s largest record collections, and they have a thing or two to say about managing and handling your vinyl records. Wash and thoroughly dry your hands before packing and storing your records, and be sure to only touch the edges and label areas of the discs themselves.

Step 2: Dust and Grooves

Plastic sleeves will give your records an extra layer of protection, keeping dust and dirt from the covers. Dusty records will make it difficult for the needle to stay in the groove and it will affect playback of your records.

Step 3: Vertical Attraction

Just like our advice for storing comics and graphic novels, never vertically stack your records, and don’t lay them on top of each other, even briefly. Storing records horizontally could warp your records over time, meaning the needle will have to work harder to maintain contact in the groove and it will cause the tempo of the music to fluctuate during playback.

Keep your records vertical when putting them into storage, whether in boxes or on a shelf in your home.

Step 4: What are the best bulk storage solutions?

There are a number of smaller storage option available to the record collector. Made to measure record boxes can be purchased from stores like Love Music on Queen Street in Glasgow, purpose-built and specifically designed to hold your records vertically. There are

many options available, and you’ll need to find the right ones for your collection whether you’re into 12” LPs or 45s.

Step 5: Keep it cool. Keep it dry.

Again, just like your awesome comic collection, you’re going to want to keep your records in a cool and dry place, with little fluctuation in temperature. If your records are in a moist environment you will need to check your records’ plastic sleeves regularly to make sure there is no mildew or moisture trapped between the plastic and your record.

If you’re looking for short or long term self-storage for your epic stockpile of audio bliss, it’s best to use a clean dry storage unit to protect your collection. Here at Aabsolute we have the solutions to keep your records spinning for years to come.

Check out this article if you are looking for cool furniture to store your record collection in. “12-alternative-ways-to-store-your-records”

Prospective buyers want to be able to imagine their own things in a potential new home. Your tastes and passions may not match theirs, so if you’re planning on selling up then you might want to declutter and hide that stockpile of collector’s comics or your impressive collection of vinyl. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be talking about ways to look after and store your collectables whether they’re works of art, comics and graphic novels, vinyl records, or ornaments and figurines.

First up, let’s look at…

Comics & Graphic Novels

You don’t have to be a superhero to keep your comics and graphic novels in tip-top shape, and there are some things you can do to protect your issues whether you want to preserve them for your own library or make a financial return from selling them on further down the line. If you’re planning to move home and you’re wanting to declutter then you’re going to need some options to store your collection and protect them from wear and tear, or even damage.

Step 1: Bag ‘em and board ‘em!

There are different types of clear plastic materials used for comic issue bags, usually polyethene, polypropylene and mylar. The type of material you choose will normally come down to your own preference based upon your budget. Mylar tends to go a little yellow over time though, and needs replaced every few years. Bag sizes will depend entirely on the era in which the issue was published. Current sizes are 6 7/8” by 10 1⁄2”.

Boards are cardboard sheets cut to size for comics. They are used to prevent creasing and damage caused by accidental folding or bending… they keep your corners sharp too! It’s also important to get the right type of acid-free card for your comics.

Both bags and boards are available from the prominent comic shops in Glasgow, including A1 Comics near the Trongate and Forbidden Planet on Buchanan Street. If you need any advice on sizing, the staff at these stores tend to be knowledgeable and will be able to assist you with your needs.

Step 2: Keep ‘em out of the light.

Damage only occurs through exposure to light and air. You’ve already bagged and boarded your issues, so now you need to keep them somewhere away from direct sunlight to prevent fading and sun-washed covers and spines.

Step 3: Special Storage for Special Issues

If you are lucky enough to own rare or collector’s editions you may want to consider purchasing specially designed hard plastic holders. Obviously, they cost a little more than a bag and board but they offer the best protection for your best issues, and normally they can be hung or propped up to display your favourite covers.

Step 4: Grade A Comics

Do you want to collect comics as an investment and you’re keen to make a profit? You might want to consider having your comics graded by the Certified Guarantee Company (CGC). It does cost to have your issue graded, but its value will be recorded and locked in, and it will be returned in a hard case with a hologram and a barcode that individually identifies your comic. These unique identifiers can protect you and your investment during any reselling process, especially on websites like eBay.

Step 5: The Issue with Storage

So you’re moving home or trying to sell your house, and you want to keep your beloved comics somewhere safe and out of sight, leaving your home feeling more spacious for your prospective buyers.

It is preferable to store comics upright in cardboard boxes to prevent any unwanted creasing or crushing damage if they are stacked. You can also buy soft plastic boxes for comics that cost a little more but are more durable. The boxes are full of magic and heroics, so it’s wise to treat them with respect – don’t stack them high! The weight of the stack will eventually break the boxes at the bottom of the stack and ruin dozens of comics. Five boxes to a stack, max!

Paper expands and contracts with fluctuations in temperature and moisture can wreak havoc, so it’s important to keep them somewhere that’s dry and with a neutral temperature, so putting them out in the damp garage for a while isn’t really the best plan given the temperamental Glaswegian climate.

Here at Aabsolute, we’ve got you covered.