Our Vinyl Cleaning & Grading Process

Every record at Treasure Tunes goes through a careful 5-step process before it is listed, packed, and shipped. We specialize in vintage vinyl, rare releases, collectible pressings, and audiophile records, so condition, care, and transparency matter to us.

1. Inspection

Each record is carefully inspected under strong lighting before it is listed for sale. We check the vinyl surface, labels, spindle marks, sleeve condition, inserts, and any visible signs of wear.

Records are graded using the Goldmine grading standard, one of the most widely used condition systems in the vinyl record market. This helps collectors understand the condition of each record before they buy.

The grades include:

Mint (M): Reserved for brand-new, sealed, and unopened media.

Near Mint (NM): An extremely clean record with little to no visible wear. The media is pristine, typically with the only flaw being that it has been opened.

Very Good Plus (VG+): A well-cared-for record with light signs of handling or play. Minor scuffs or sleeve marks may be present, but the record should still offer a strong listening experience.

Very Good (VG): A used record with more visible wear. It may have light surface noise, especially in quieter sections, but should still be enjoyable unless otherwise noted.

Good Plus / Good (G+ / G): A heavily played record with noticeable wear or surface noise. These are only listed when the record is still playable, collectible, or difficult to find.

Whenever needed, we grade the vinyl and sleeve separately so you know exactly what to expect.

2. Ultrasonic Cleaning

After inspection, records are deep-cleaned using professional ultrasonic cleaning equipment. Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound waves in a cleaning bath to help lift dust, oils, residue, and debris from deep inside the grooves.

Our cleaning method is inspired by archival record-care principles, including guidance used by preservation-focused institutions. The goal is to clean each record thoroughly while treating the vinyl with care.

Ultrasonic cleaning can help improve playback clarity and reduce surface contamination, but it cannot repair scratches, groove wear, pressing flaws, or damage from previous handling. That is why accurate grading remains an important part of our process.

3. Archival Sleeve

Once cleaned and dried, records are stored in premium anti-static inner sleeves whenever appropriate. This helps protect the clean vinyl surface and reduces dust, static, and paper debris from returning to the grooves.

Original inner sleeves, inserts, posters, booklets, and extras are preserved with the record whenever available and noted in the listing.

4. Packed & Shipped

Every order is packed carefully to protect your record in transit. Records are secured in proper vinyl mailers with protective packaging to help prevent corner damage, bending, and movement during shipping.

We handle every order with care, whether it is an affordable crate-digging find, a rare collectible, or an audiophile pressing.

5. Ready to Play

Your record arrives inspected, cleaned, protected, and ready to spin. Our goal is to make buying vintage vinyl online feel more reliable, transparent, and enjoyable.

At Treasure Tunes, every record is handled with respect for the music, the collector, and the listening experience.