| How to Fix Vinyl Scratches Posted: 05 Jun 2018 01:00 AM PDT While there is no foolproof way to repair scratches on vinyl, you can try using wood glue to remove dust and even out the surface of your record. Clean your record with a dry brush, liquid cleaning solution, or a toothpick to remove additional dirt and debris. To prevent scratches, always hold your record from the edges and store it properly when not in use. If your record still skips after cleaning it a few ways, you may need to purchase a new one. EditUsing Wood Glue - Apply wood glue over the entire record as it spins on your turntable. Place the tip of your wood glue at the edge of your inner label, and squeeze the bottle with light pressure. As the record spins, continue squeezing out the glue so it creates lines around your record. Stop when you reach the outer edge. You should have thin, even lines over all of your record.[1]
- Your record will have stripes of glue following the circular grooves of the vinyl.
- If you squeeze out too much glue on the vinyl, that's okay. You will even out the amount of glue. However, if you use too much towards the outer edge, use a paper towel to wipe up the excess.
- If you are worried about getting glue on your turntable, you can apply the glue to the record on a table instead. The spinning of the turntable helps spread the glue across your record.
- Use a piece of cardboard or cardstock to spread the glue. Take a piece of cardboard or cardstock about wide, and touch it to the outer edge of your record. Let your record continue to spin, and the glue will spread out and cover the record as it moves. Then, lift up on your card and place it at the inside of your record to spread out all of the glue.[2]
- You can leave your hand stationary and let the spin of the record spread the glue for you.
- You will have a smooth, even surface of wood glue covering the entirety of your record.
- Stop your turntable and let your the glue dry for around 24 hours. You can leave your record on your turntable overnight. To see if the wood glue is dry, you can gently touch the outer edge of the glue with your finger. If it still feels sticky, let it sit for 1-2 more hours and try again.[3]
- You can also leave your record on a piece of newspaper to dry if you do not use a turntable.
- Peel away the dried wood glue starting at the outer edge of your record. Using your index finger and your thumb, pull up on the outer edge of the wood glue. Then, lift up with steady, consistent force to peel away all of the glue. Remove the glue slowly and gradually to try to pull it up in 1 piece.[4]
- If your wood glue does not peel in 1 solid layer, that's okay! Lift up at another edge and peel away the glue until it is completely removed.
- Avoid touching the surface of your record as you peel away the glue.
- Play your record to test the sound. Put the arm of your turntable onto your record and power it on. Listen to your record, and the part of the song that used to skip may play clearly now. Wood glue can help your vinyl by capturing even the toughest dirt and dust.[5]
- Keep in mind that using wood glue does not guarantee your record will be fixed.
- The wood glue provides a thorough clean of the entire record by removing any dirt and debris and smoothing over uneven vinyl surfaces.
- If your record still skips, try another coat of wood glue or another vinyl cleaning method. You could also search online for a professional vinyl restorer near you.
EditCleaning Away Dirt - Use a dry vinyl brush to remove surface dirt and dust. Place your record on your turntable and turn it on. While the record spins, lightly hold the brush on the surface of your record to sweep away any impurities and static build-up. Keep your brush on your record for 1-3 spins, then angle your brush at the edge of your record and slowly remove it.[6]
- Most record brushes have 2 rows of bristles, 1 to sweep of the dust, and 1 to remove static.
- Be sure to clean your brush after each use. That way, you do not spread debris to and from your cleaning brush.
- While this will not erase scratches, it will help your turntable pick up as many grooves in your record as possible, helpful to avoid skipping parts of the song.
- Purchase a record cleaning kit to use professional cleaning products. Visit a music store or search online to find a kit. Most come with a liquid cleaning solution, directional brush, and smaller brush used to clean the directional brush. Then, follow the specific directions outlined in your kit's instructions to clean away surface debris.[7]
- Your directions will likely have you apply the cleaning solution, then use the brush to sweep away extra dirt.
- Make your own cleaning solution to deep clean on a budget. Combine ¼ cup of 90-99% isopropyl alcohol, ¾ cup of distilled water, and 1 or 2 drops of dishwasher fluid in a spray bottle. Place your record on a microfiber cloth, and spray the solution on your record. Wait 30 seconds to let the liquid fill the grooves, and wipe away the liquid with another microfiber cloth. Then, soak another microfiber cloth in distilled water, and wipe off both sides of your record.[8]
- This will remove fingerprints and grime that a record cleaning brush cannot pick up.
- Avoid spraying the label of your record.
- You can repeat the process for both sides of your record to thoroughly clean away dirt and dust.
- Rub a toothpick back and forth over the scratches with soft pressure. Locate the scratches of your record, and angle 1 wooden toothpick at the scratch. Apply a little pressure, and rub back and forth on the scratch. Do this for any and all scratches on your vinyl. Rubbing the scratch with a toothpick helps get into the small cracks and lift up stubborn debris.[9]
- Take your time when cleaning with a toothpick and be careful not to scratch other areas of your record.
- This may not fix the scratch, but it can help remove any surface debris from your vinyl.
EditProtecting Your Vinyl - Place your record in its inner sleeve after you finish listening to it. Plastic sleeves come in either paper or plastic material. When you finish listening to a record, carefully slide your record in between both sides of material as a first line of defense.[10]
- Your vinyl will come with an inner sleeve when you purchase it. You can also purchase replacement sleeves online or in music stores.
- Store your record in its outer sleeve when not in use. When you purchase a record, it comes in a cardboard outer sleeve. You can also purchase replacement plastic sleeves. After you place your record into its inner sleeve, slide it into its outer sleeve. The outer sleeve adds another layer of defense.[11]
- If your outer sleeve is worn and you can see the ring of your record, consider purchasing a replacement plastic outer sleeve.
- Designate a shelf or crate for your record collection. When you expand your record collection beyond 1 or 2 records, it is important to keep them safe to prevent damages. You can securely keep your record either on a shelf or in a crate, and always store them vertically.[12]
- You can purchase a shelf or crate at a home store or online. You can also make your own!
- Keeping your records in piles can warp the records or the covers.
- Avoid touching any part of your vinyl besides the edges and inner label. Handing your record correctly prevents scratches, dirt, and fingerprints from appearing on your record. The grooves of your record are delicate and contain the musical information to play the songs, so do your best to not touch them.[13]
- Close your turntable's lid if you have one to prevent airborne dust. Some turntables have an attached lid. When you are finished listening to your vinyl, flip the lid overtop of the turntable to keep out dust and debris.[14]
- Keeping your turntable free of dust is helpful because it lowers the risk of transferring dust onto your record.
- Keep your record out of direct sunlight, heat, or cold areas. Drastic temperatures can warp your record and cause inconsistent playback.
- Never clean your record with rubbing alcohol, lighter fluid, furniture polish, toothpaste, or steel wool. All of these can cause permanent damage to your vinyl.[15]
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Get Started on a Low Carb Diet Posted: 04 Jun 2018 05:00 PM PDT Low-carb diets are great for losing weight, but starting a low-carb diet can be overwhelming. You may need to make a drastic change to your eating habits, and it can be difficult to know how to get started. Start slow by transitioning from simple carbs and refined sugars to complex carbs and then to low-carb swaps. You can also keep yourself feeling full and satisfied by making smart meal choices. If you plan to stick with a low-carb diet long-term, then choose a specific diet plan and access some helpful tools and people for support. EditReducing Carbs in Your Diet - Cut out refined sugars and simple carbohydrates. A great first step towards a low-carb lifestyle is to cut out all of the major carbohydrate culprits. You don't need to cut them all at once. You can cut them out 1 at a time to make it more manageable, such as by replacing sodas and other sugary drinks with water and sugar-free beverages. Some common sources of refined sugars and simple carbs include:[1]
- Candy
- Cookies, cake, and other sweet baked goods
- Sugar sweetened sodas and other beverages
- White bread
- Pasta
- White rice
- Potatoes
- Switch to whole grains as you transition away from carbohydrates. Before you go full low-carb, you may want to replace your carbohydrates with some better carbohydrate options, such as whole grains. Start slow and just replace 1 serving of your usual carbohydrate foods with 1 serving of a whole grain alternative each day or week. After a week or 2, you will be eating fewer simple carbs and more complex carbohydrates, which will reduce your overall carbohydrate intake and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Some good complex carbohydrate options include:[2]
- Whole wheat pasta
- Brown rice
- Whole wheat bread
- Steel cut oatmeal
- High-fiber, low-sugar cereal
- Replace white potatoes with sweet potatoes or other root veggies. White potatoes are another major source of simple carbs, so replacing them will help you in your transition to a low-carb lifestyle. You can bake and use a sweet potato or other root veggie similar to how you use white potatoes. Some good options include:[3]
- Baked sweet potatoes or yams
- Roasted carrots, kohlrabi, or beets
- Mashed turnips or rutabaga
- Celery root or daikon radish fries[4]
- Try some simple swaps to reduce your carb intake. When you are ready to start transitioning to a low-carb diet, start making simple swaps by replacing your carbohydrates with low-carb alternatives. Some easy swaps you can make include:[5]
- Cauliflower "rice" in place of rice
- Zucchini "noodles" or baked spaghetti squash to replace pasta
- Nuts or raw veggies in place of potato chips
- Scrambled eggs or cottage cheese in place of oatmeal or cereal
- Berries instead of other types of fruit or sweets
EditStaying Full and Satisfied - Make proteins the focus of your meals. Choosing lean proteins while following a low-carb diet may help to reduce the chances of increasing your cholesterol, so consider doing this. Lean proteins are those that have a lower fat content, such as:[6]
- Skinless chicken
- Ground turkey
- Lean ground beef
- Canned tuna in water
- Egg whites
- Low-fat cottage cheese
- Tofu
- Fill up on non-starchy vegetables. You can eat unlimited non-starchy vegetables on most low carb diets, which will help to keep you feeling full. Some non-starchy vegetable options include:[7]
- Cucumbers
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Zucchini
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cabbage
- Stock your fridge and pantry with low-carb snacks. Stocking your fridge and pantry with low-carb snacks will help to keep you feeling satisfied.[8] Some easy low-carb snacks options include:
- Celery, broccoli, peppers and other fresh cut veggies
- Boiled and peeled eggs
- Beef jerky
- Raw almonds
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Drink water and other unsweetened beverages. Staying hydrated on a low-carb diet will help to keep you feeling full and it can also help to reduce the possibility of negative side-effects, such as dehydration. Avoid drinking sugar-free sodas and other artificially sweetened beverages because these may trigger your sweet-tooth.[9] Stick to water and other unsweetened beverages instead. Some other good low-carb drink options include:
- Unsweetened tea (hot or iced)
- Coffee (decaf or regular)
- Sparkling water with a wedge of lemon or lime
EditChoosing a Diet to Follow Long-Term - Select the Atkins diet for a classic low-carb diet. If you want to try a low-carb diet that has been around for a while, then the Atkins diet is a great choice. This diet also claims that it will help you lose in the first 2 weeks, so Atkins is a great plan if you are hoping to drop a large amount of weight quickly.[10]
- The Atkins plan requires dropping your carbohydrate intake to 20 grams per day for the first 2 weeks and eating protein with every meal. You cut out simple carbs and refined sugars completely and also abstain from fruits, starchy-veggies, nuts, and whole grains, then slowly add these back into your diet in moderation.
- You may also benefit from the Atkins program if you have a condition such as metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. Following the Atkins diet may help to improve your condition, or possibly even reverse it.
- Choose the South Beach diet to develop healthier eating habits. The South Beach diet was developed by a cardiologist and it claims to help you develop a healthier way of eating while also promoting weight loss. Also, the South Beach diet does not restrict carbs as intensely as some other diets, so it may be easier to follow and stick with it.[11]
- The South Beach diet is done in 3 phases. In phase 1, you cut all carbs. Then after 2 weeks, you can add a serving or 2 of healthy carbs back into your daily intake. In the third and final phase, you can enjoy carbohydrates in moderation.
- The South Beach diet teaches you to choose carbohydrates that have a low-glycemic index because they help to keep your blood sugar and hunger stable. This diet also encourages you to choose monounsaturated fats, which are healthier for your heart. You will also get to enjoy lots of lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits (in moderation).
- Try the Ketogenic diet for a high-fat, satisfying meal plan. This diet plan focuses on getting your daily intake to 75% fat, 20% protein, and 5% carbs. This will force your body to use fat for energy and promote quick weight loss.
- A ketogenic diet has long been known as beneficial for people with epilepsy. However, following the diet may also help to prevent Alzheimer's, stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury.[12]
- Some people experience negative side effects as they transition to a very low-carb diet, such as brain fog, fatigue, and moodiness.
- Do the Dukan diet if you like structure. The Dukan diet is one of the most structured low-carb diets, which some people find helpful. In the first 10 days of this diet, you only eat lean protein, oat bran, and water. After that you can include non-starchy veggies, a serving of fruit, a serving of whole grain, and hard cheeses. You may lose or more in the first couple of weeks, and then about to pounds after that.[13]
- Keep in mind that any time a diet has a lot of restrictions, you are at risk of nutritional deficiencies.
- Opt for the Paleo diet if you want to emphasize whole foods. You cannot have any dairy, grains, potatoes, or processed foods on this diet, but you can eat lots of meat, veggies, roots, fruits, and nuts. The whole foods approach of this diet is healthy and you will get to eat plenty of food to stay full and satisfied.[14]
- The goal of the Paleo diet attributes many of the health issues people have today, including obesity, with the modern agricultural diet that includes dairy and grains.
EditStaying Healthy and Motivated - Talk to your doctor before starting any diet. It is a good idea to talk to your doctor before starting any weight-loss program. This is especially important to do if you have a medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease. Your doctor can tell you if following a low-carb diet is safe for you and they can also advise you about the best type of low-carb diet for your situation.[15]
- If you have diabetes, then cutting out carbs altogether might not be safe. Instead, your doctor might advise you to choose healthy carbs, such as whole grains and fruit.
- If you have high cholesterol, then eating foods that are high in saturated fat and cholesterol may increase your cholesterol even more. Instead, your doctor may advise you to choose lean proteins, such as skinless poultry, low-fat cottage cheese, and egg whites.
- Download a tracking app to keep track of your carbohydrate intake. If you need to stay under a certain number of carbs each day or balance your macros, then using a tracker app can be helpful. Download an app to use on your phone or tablet. Log all of your food into the app each day to keep track of your carbohydrate intake and other macronutrients, such as fat and protein. You can also use an app to plan meals, make grocery lists, and store recipes.[16]
- MyFitnessPal is a popular food tracking app that is available for free.
- If you prefer to write things down, then get a journal and write down everything you eat each day. Use food labels to find the nutritional information. You can also look up the carbohydrates, fat, protein, and calories in a nutrition guidebook or by searching online.
- Prep your meals for the week to stay on track. Planning out your meals for the week and spending a few hours 1 day per week to do meal prep can help to set you up for success all week long.[17] Choose a day when you have a few hours of free time and look up low-carb recipes and meal suggestions. Use this time to put together some or all of your meals for the week. Some things you can do include:
- Chopping vegetables and portioning them out for cooking, such as a Ziploc sandwich bag filled with chopped peppers and onions for fajitas.
- Cooking your proteins, such as boiling eggs, grilling chicken, or baking salmon.
- Putting together portioned out meals in plastic containers, such as 4 ounces (35 grams) of skinless grilled chicken with 1 cup (91 grams) of steamed broccoli, and 1 cup (150 grams) of baked zucchini.
- Connect with other people who are following the diet. Keep yourself on track by joining a network of people who are also following a low-carb diet. You can turn to them with questions about starting or sticking with your diet.[18] Look for online communities for low-carb dieting, such as a Facebook group or sub-Reddit. Join the group and get involved.
- Introduce yourself when you join the group and let people know you are just starting the diet.
- Ask group members for help when you struggle with the diet. For example, if you are craving sweets, ask what other group members have done to overcome these cravings.
- Always eat breakfast and avoid skipping any of your other meals during the day.
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Prune Knockout Roses Posted: 04 Jun 2018 09:00 AM PDT Knockout roses are a relatively low-fuss variety that can make a welcome addition to any yard or garden, but they do require a little seasonal pruning in order to grow healthy and beautiful. Cut back your roses extensively at the beginning of spring, and shape them up as needed throughout the rest of the year. Give them one final light pruning before they go into dormancy and they'll be ready to return full force the next year. EditPruning Roses Correctly - Grab a pair of sharp bypass pruners. Bypass pruners cut like scissors, making them preferable to anvil-type pruners, which have a tendency to crush the stems as they cut. Nice, clean cuts are essential to maintaining the health of the plant.[1]
- If you don't have a pair of pruners handy, you could also use full-sized hedge clippers or trimmers. Whatever tool you use should be nice and sharp and able to make clean cuts.
- When you need to cut canes larger than about in diameter, switch to a set of larger loppers.[2]
- Disinfect pruners with rubbing alcohol or bleach diluted with water to sterilize them.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands and arms. In order to prune your knockout roses safely and effectively, you'll need to pull on a pair of rugged elbow-length gardening gloves. Your gloves should be thick enough to safeguard your skin from any thorns growing on the bushes.[3]
- Don't attempt to prune your knockout roses without some kind of protective covering—a pair of standard wrist-length gardening gloves is better than nothing.
- Disinfect your pruners before you get started. While you're pruning your roses, stop periodically to dip them into a container filled with cleaning solution. Any all-purpose household cleaner will do the trick. Making sure your cutting blades are properly sanitized lowers your chances of accidentally spreading disease from one plant to another.[4]
- Get in the habit of disinfecting your pruners regularly, whether you're trimming a little or a lot.
- Alternatively, you can use a solution made up of 70% rubbing alcohol diluted in water.
- Cut the canes at a 45-degree angle. Make your cuts roughly above an outward facing bud, with the slant pointing away from the bud. This helps promote new growths to grow outward rather than inward. This technique should be used regardless of the time of year or size of the growth you're pruning.[5]
- Angled cuts help water run off the stem and reduces the chance of fungal rot.
- Cutting too close to the bud could shock it, while cutting too far away might leave too much old growth behind, forcing the plant to direct valuable resources to canes that are no longer able to produce new buds.
EditPerforming Major Pruning in Early Spring - Wait until the second or third season of growth to cut back your roses. By holding off until your roses have neared their full size, you can ensure that they'll be able to withstand having whole sections removed. A mature knockout rose should be about tall by wide before you begin hacking at it.
- A fully-grown knockout rose will require the most pruning around mid-February to early March. Young roses, by contrast, only need to be touched up throughout the growing period to remove dead or dying growth.[6]
- Knockout roses can often go as long as 2-3 years between major prunings, depending on how rapidly they grow and how big or small you like to keep your plant.
- Prune your roses as soon as the buds break dormancy. Look for small buds to begin forming along the stems of the plant. If the existing buds have swelled up but no new growth has appeared, it means the roses are ready to prune.[7]
- The main pruning period for knockout roses is in late winter or early spring, just as the plant prepares for another season of growth.[8]
- You can still prune your roses even if new growth has already begun. Buds might start forming early if the winter was especially mild. In this case, snip the growth back to the first dormant bud.
- Start by cutting away overlapping canes. Clip one or both canes as needed to get the plant's interior structure growing straight and vertical. Creating some separation between the canes prevents them from rubbing against one other, making the plant look neater and promoting stronger, more lasting growth.[9]
- By reducing the density of your rose bushes early in the season, you can make sure they continue putting out neat, attractive growth all year long.
- Thinning out overlapping canes and stems also promotes better air circulation through your rose bushes, making them less vulnerable to fungal diseases.[10]
- Remove one-third to one-half of the plant's overall size. You can cut healthy shoots back considerably without worrying about harming the plant. Doing so will prevent your roses from putting too much energy into maintaining an overabundance of foliage. As a result, it will produce more flowers.[11]
- Keep in mind that your knockout roses will grow vigorously after being pruned. As a general rule, you'll want to cut them shorter than you would ultimately like them to end up.[12]
- Be careful not to get too overzealous with your pruning. Trimming more than half of the healthy, mature canes could cause the plant to struggle to regrow lost foliage, stunting its growth.
- Trim your bushes to the desired height and width. Maintain the appearance of your knockout roses by giving them a gently rounded, dome-like shape. Be sure to snip any stems or offshoots that extend far enough beyond the foliage on the outer edges of the bush to stand out.[13]
- To improve air circulation and control the spread of diseases in warmer weather, try trimming your bushes into a rough 'V' shape, leaving them open in the middle.[14]
EditMaintaining Your Roses During Late Spring and Summer - Do some corrective pruning throughout the peak growing season. Shaping up your rose bushes sporadically as they fill out will encourage them to put more of their resources toward producing beautiful new buds. With a little attention here and there, you'll begin to see more dramatic flower production by the time the days start getting shorter.
- Avoid heavy prunings during the heat of the summer. Your roses will already be somewhat stressed due to the heat, so losing too much healthy growth only weakens them further.
- Remove damaged and diseased wood. Any sections of the plant showing signs of disease should be dealt with immediately to prevent the condition from spreading. Similarly, old, brittle wood invites harmful pests, fungi, and bacteria to attack the plant, and should also be cut back as soon as possible.[15]
- Throughout the growing season, the primary purpose of pruning is to keep your roses healthy and active. This can be achieved by removing any unhealthy-looking parts of the plant that could become an issue if left alone.
- Deadhead dead and dying blooms to extend the bloom season. Deadheading is the practice of snipping off spent or failing flowers in order to make room for new ones. Snip the stem down to first group of five leaflets below the flower cluster. In a few short weeks, another round of blooms will appear in their place.[16]
- In most cases, you'll be making your cuts approximately below the flowers themselves.
- During extreme heat, only cut back to the first set of leaves rather than going further down the stem.
- Deadheading is essential for improving both the health and aesthetic quality of your knockout roses.
- Aim for a uniform appearance. If a few fast-growing shoots exceed the length of the surrounding shoots, trim the longer sections to restore the plant to an even length. Repeat this process on all visible sides of the bush. Otherwise, it can quickly overtake its surroundings and begin looking unruly.[17]
- In addition to vertical growth, new growth will also expand outward and below the plant in the spring and summer. This "leggy" undergrowth should also be kept short.
EditTrimming Your Roses Before Winter - Prune 1 final time if desired before the first frost of the year. Ideally, you should aim to have your pruning done by the end of summer or the first couple weeks of fall, when the weather is still warm. Once it gets cold, new growth will begin to taper off as the plant prepares to enter dormancy.[18]
- Stop pruning your knockout roses in early fall at the latest. Any new growth they put out after this time may not harden off in time for winter.[19]
- Your roses will benefit from getting a little rest before the next growing season.
- Clear away dead wood. Just like you did in the summer, inspect your knockout roses carefully once more to identify and cull weak, sick, or dying canes. Otherwise, disease could spread throughout the bush unchecked, kill it off completely by the time winter sets in.[20]
- At this point, it's advisable to remove as little of the plant's overall size as necessary.
- Avoid disturbing younger canes. You don't want to accidentally stimulate new growth that will just die off and weaken the plant.[21]
- Reduce the overall height of your rose bushes. Just before your roses retire for the season, you can trim up to one-third off their total height. Focus on excess growth that doesn't contribute to the general shape of the bush. If there are any long, non-flowering stems sticking out from the top or sides, be sure to see to these as well.[22]
- If your roses just barely managed to reach their ideal height during the peak growing season, a little light corrective pruning will be best.
- Fall pruning is not a major ordeal, and many gardeners even choose to skip it altogether.
- Knockout roses can triple in size during their peak growing season. Keep this in mind when deciding on a preferred height and shape for your bushes.
- Rather than simply discarding clipped canes that boast attractive flowers, stick them in a vase and put them on display in your home.
- Have a wheelbarrow on standby to haul off your clippings when you're done.
EditThings You'll Need - Bypass pruners
- Hedge clippers, trimmers, or loppers (optional)
- Elbow-length gardening gloves
- Cleaning solution (for disinfecting pruners)
EditSources and Citations
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