Tony L
Administrator
We’ve had a thread on this phenomenon at least once before, but this is worth linking as he shows examples of the fogging that can occur from these outer sleeves.
I replaced all but a couple of mine quite a long while back and previously had no issues at all in my own collection, though I have certainly seen them elsewhere. All my records are stored in poly or Nagaoka inners though, and my guess is, like the laminated front of the copy of Revolver he shows I suspect they act as a barrier (the side of the record by the laminated front was perfect, the flip-back side ruined). As an example I have a copy of the limited 3xLP of The Orb’s UF Orb album in its thick stickered blue PVC sleeve. This has ‘outgassed’ to some degree as the sticker has clearly suffered, but the vinyl in its Nagaoka inners is absolutely spotless and shiny. I also have one on my copy of OMD’s first album as the die-cut Peter Saville lattice design is pretty fragile so a nice thick sleeve adds some solidity to it making it easier to remove/replace from the shelf. Again the vinyl is as shiny and fresh as when I first bought it as it has spent its whole life in a Nagaoka inner inside the orange card inner. My suspicion is this is proof of concept that a Nag does act as a barrier, but I’d still be very cautious. I’d obviously dump any PVC outers that weren’t essential to that title (i.e. part of it from new) or are obviously outgassing.
The only ones I’m slightly worried about are my Manchester Art Gallery limited editions of Closer and Power Corruption & Lies as they are both factory shrink-wrapped inside the special exhibition PVC outer. I’m hoping the shrink acts as a barrier as I really don’t want to open these (they are valuable and were bought as investments (I already have original Factory pressings of both which get played)). Everything else in my collection is in a standard poly inner like the one shown in the video.
Worth thinking about anyway.