Here’s How You Can Flatten Out Your Warped Vinyl Records at Home

As a music lover, one of my favorite things to do is browse used records at my local record store. This type of hunting usually pays off when you find the absolute gem of a disc. Maybe it’s one you’ve been looking for for years, or maybe a brand new find that’s caught your eye.

The worst part of browsing through bins of used discs is realizing that a used but poor disc is warped. When this happens, you have several options. You can despondently put the disc back in and hope you come across another good copy, or you can flatten the disc yourself. If you find yourself in this situation after this year’s Record Store Day, we can help.

Discs can warp due to a combination of heat and pressure. So, if you don’t store your vinyl records properly by tilting them at an angle, stacking them on top of each other, or leaving your records exposed to direct sunlight or high heat, you could inadvertently warp your vinyl. own vinyl collection.

If you want to flatten your vinyl records yourself, we have some suggestions. For more music tips, here are the best record players of 2024. If you prefer to listen to music digitally, here are the best music streaming services of 2024.

Use pressure – and time

If you don’t want to risk heating up your vinyl (more on that later), you can flatten your vinyl using two books and a lot of patience.

What you will need to do is take your warped vinyl and place it between two heavy books (think large hardcover books). You will also want to make sure your file is clean and free of debris.

According to House of Marley, a turntable retailer, this method will take a long time. If you follow this method, you will wait weeks or even months to see results, assuming everything goes as planned.

Buy a disc flattening machine – or just pay a professional

Other safe options include shelling out for a disc flattening machine or paying a professional. Disc flattening machines can cost you a pretty penny, with prices ranging from $3,000 to just under $200. Alternatively, some online services will flatten your records for a fee. Perfect Vinyl Forever is one such service.

I recommend calling local record stores to see if they can flatten your vinyl for a fee. In my experience, used record stores tend to have a way to flatten warped vinyl, and this can be a great opportunity to support your local stores.

At great risk, you can flatten it in your oven

If heat and pressure are causing your vinyl to warp, it makes sense that heat and pressure can flatten it. This is a very risky, but potentially very profitable, method of getting your disks back into proper alignment. This is a pretty nuclear option when it comes to flattening a warped disc, so be warned that you could ruin the album permanently by doing that.

First, find two panes measuring at least 12 inches by 12 inches that will fit your oven. Each of these flaps will go on either side of your warped folder. Again, make sure your vinyl is clean and free of debris.

Preheat your oven to its absolute lowest temperature, and once the oven has reached this minimum heat reading, place the glass panels with the vinyl between them in the oven, then set the timer for 30 minutes and wait.

Once the 30 minutes have passed, carefully remove the glass and vinyl from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before removing the disc from between the panes – we recommend an hour to be safe. Then remove the record from between the glass, cross your fingers and place it on your turntable to see how it sounds.

To learn more, here’s why the AT-LP60XBT is the ideal turntable for beginners.