Flattening warped records

This process applies to vinyl as well as shellac discs.

• Get two sheets of plate glass slightly larger than the record.
• Clean and dry them and then polish with french chalk.
• Hold the warped disc by its edge between the fingers of each hand with the record surface perpendicular to the palms of the hands.
• Place it half a metre from a radiant gas or electric fire and rotate it slowly until it becomes just warm.
• Reverse the record and warm the other side. This process releases internal strain.
• Place the record between the two sheets of plate glass, also slightly warmed.
• Add a few large books or other weights on top and allow to cool.
• Leave for 24 hours and if necessary, repeat the process.

The record may alternatively be heated in a very cool oven set at about 50 to 70 degrees C.; this is not recommended for valuable or irreplaceable discs.

Many experts prefer not to warm the records. Sometimes good results are produced by the application of pressure for some considerable time without heat.