What's with white stains on new vinyl?


I've been noticing that on a fair amount of new LPs there are white streaks/stains near the outside of the LP (typically over the first track or two).

They don't clean off and are sometimes audible, sometimes not.

Anyone else notice these and/or know what they're from?
madfloyd

Showing 2 responses by restock

I started a thread on the phonogram email list a while ago about this:

There have been some problems at the RTI with a patch of inner sleeves that they received from their long-time supplier. The glue that holds the plastic in the paper sleeves leaked through the plastic and causes the white marks on the vinyl.

It should not affect the sound, however if the other thread is correct about white-stuff accumulating on the stylus, I would think this is a problem. Also, I am worried about long-term effects on the record. Finally, this will seriously lower the resale value of affected records (some original Blue notes with similar stains went for $40 instead of $400.)

There is almost no point contacting the dealer where you bought the records, as most likely all the LPs in stock will have the same problem! I have about 7-8 Music Matters and AP titles that have the problem. At $20/LP I probably wouldn't complain, at $50 I am more than annoyed that RTI doesn't institute a recall of the affected titles.
Here is thread with a picture of the white marks I find on Music Matters, AP and some Cisco LPs (all pressed by RTI):

Audioasylum thread with pictures