Mold Release Compound......Myth or reality?

Vinyl Asylum

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I constantly read references here about the need to properly clean new LP's to remove the dreaded "Mold Release Compound." I just noticed the subject again on Teresa's new website. (Great site Teresa!)
Speaking of current LP production only , it is probably a myth. There is no doubt that new records can have some surface contamination and will benefit from a good cleaning, but it is probably not externally applied mold release residue.
Most of todayâ€™s vinyl formulations have a variety of additives and probably include some to aid the release of the molded or formed part, but I doubt if any pressing plant today is spraying the stampers with a release agent which would leave a residue. As for sealed records from bygone days and pressing plants, who knows?
Record Technology, Inc. says they do not use mold release and they are pressing a great many of the new LP's available today. So, it is probably wrong to assume that all new records must be cleaned prior to the first play to remove â€œmold release compound.â€
More likely, it is probably paper dust and airborne contaminants attracted by static electricity which need to be removed from new records.
Just a minor rant....

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Topic - Mold Release Compound......Myth or reality? - Marshall W 13:22:42 09/2/06 (1)

Reality bites. - tketcham 22:09:40 09/2/06 (0)

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