How to Flatten and Fix a Warped Record: 5 Methods Explored

What makes records warp?

Whilst an LP won’t get warped from normal playing, environmental factors pose a threat.

The most common causes of warping are excessive heat and pressure. Either one alone can cause damage, mix the two together, and you’re in for some significant warping. If you can avoid heat and pressure, your collection will already stay in better shape.

Direct sunlight also makes records warp and fade, so avoid leaving them exposed to the sun.

Correct storage is the best technique for preventing warps. Stacking records on top of each other is not the way to do it, this causes constant sustained pressure, which will warp records lower in the stack. The same goes for heavily slanted upright storage.

How to prevent records from warping

1. Always store records correctly – Avoid stacking, store them upright, and don’t pack them too tightly together.
2. Keep vinyl away from heat sources
3. Keep out of direct sunlight, particularly on a hot day.

For more detail, see my full guides on how to store records and how to take care of vinyl records.

Method 1: Heavy Object Technique (Sandwich)

1. Make sure the record is clean and dry.
2. Put the record in a plastic inner sleeve.
3. Take two flat objects (such as books) that are large enough to cover the entire record. Put the record in between.
4. Place a heavy object on top of the ‘sandwich.’ Make sure the pressure is even across the surfaces.
5. Leave until flat. This can take a long time, anywhere from a few days to weeks.
6. Spin the flattened LP on your record player to see if the music is fixed.

Issues with the heavy object method

• It only works on certain types of (more subtle) warping.
• Not always effective due to lack of heat.
• If the record or surfaces used aren’t cleaned properly, you could easily create scratches or get dirt into the grooves.

Method 2: Heated Tile Technique

What you need to fix a warped record with this technique

• Two objects with flat surfaces (ideally a tempered glass panel or ceramic tiles)
• Two heavy objects (large wooden blocks or heavy books).
• A heat source

This method uses heat and weight simultaneously. You’ll need some kind of tile, either ceramic or marble. It must be polished, squeaky clean, perfectly smooth, and larger than a record.

1. Ensure the record is clean and dry.
2. Clean the tiles.
3. Warm the tiles to around 176°F (80°C). Either in the oven or bathed in hot water. Avoid going too hot, and make sure the tiles are completely dry after. Use a temperature gun to double-check the temperature (since oven thermostats are known not to be accurate) and handle the tiles with gloves to avoid burning yourself.
4. Lay the bottom tile (smooth surface face up) on a heat-resistant surface), then place the record (no sleeves) and put the second tile on top.
5. Place an additional heavy item on top of the tile for extra pressure.
6. Let the record cool down to room temperature, and gently remove the tiles.
7. Repeat if needed until the warp is gone.

Issues with the tile method

• Using too much heat or weight can damage the record. Uneven heat is also bad.
• It’s easy to inevitably add excessive pressure, which could break the record or flatten grooves.
• Using the wrong type of tile could scratch the record if there are sharp edges or grit.

Method 3: Record Flattening Devices – #1 Pick

A record flattening machine is one of the best tools for the job. These are designed with the express purpose of making vinyl flat.

There are a few types of flattening devices.

Affordable

The Vinyl Flat is a popular and affordable tool for flattening. This flattens records effectively and can be used in the oven to decrease the time.

Use it with the Groovy Pouch to get even better results.

Expensive – Flattening machines

A record flattener machine holds a disc flat, applying constant pressure (and sometimes heat) to make flatten out any warps. These machines are a lot easier and safer than other DIY methods, such as using two sheets of hot glass. This works in a similar way but is better designed for the task.

A record flattener only uses gentle, gradual pressure, so this method takes longer than putting it in the oven. A cool advantage is you won’t accidentally melt any vinyl records! You may need to repeat the process more times, but machines are regarded as the safest, most effective flattening method.

• Orb Disc Flattener (Video) Pro level machine

Issues with record flatteners

• Can be expensive for most collectors.
• They don’t work 100% of the time.
• May need multiple runs.

Method 4: Record Flattening Services

Rather than taking the risk yourself, it can be a good idea to pay a professional to fix your records for you. These services generally use high-end flattening machines, so it’s a good way to save money. It often costs around $10-$20 a record, plus postage expenses if you’re mailing it.

Here are some recommended record-flattening services:

• Vinyl Archivist (USA)  – $10/record
• Perfect Vinyl Forever Services (USA) – $12/record
• Vinylelne Record Flattening Service (UK) – £6/record
• AudioZomba (UK and overseas) – £9/record

How not to fix a warped vinyl (Avoid!)

There’s one technique you see recommended all over the internet. But this method of fixing a warped vinyl record is risky and should only be a last-ditch attempt.

Method 5: The oven method

You essentially bake your record in the oven at a low temperature. It works sometimes, but it often backfires and damages vinyl records even more.

How to fix a warped vinyl record in the oven

1. Preheat the oven to 176°F (80°C).
2. Clean the glass panes and your record.
3. Place the bent vinyl record in between the glass panels. You should now have a record ‘sandwich.’
4. When the oven is heated up, place the glass panel ‘sandwich’ in the middle of the oven.
5. Wait for 10 minutes
6. Take the glass sheets out of the oven. Use oven mitts to avoid burning your hands on the hot glass panels.
7. Lay the glass on a flat (heat-resistant) surface.
8. Take a heavy item and place it on the glass pane sandwich to apply weight with the record inside. I like to use two large books.
9. Leave to cool for about an hour until it reaches room temperature.
10. Remove the heavy objects and glass sheets and check the progress.
11. You may need to repeat the process multiple times.

Why you should avoid the oven method

Domestic ovens usually have unstable temperatures and get too hot, too fast. This should be a last-ditch attempt and never with records with serious value.

Getting the perfect temperature is hard – it’s either too hot or cold. Get it wrong and prepare to say hello to a molten record pizza… not tasty…