PURPOSE: To remove foreign matter sticking firmly to the surface of a magnetic recording medium, e.g. fine particle-shaped foreign matter generated in a process for forming the magnetic layer of a ferromagnetic metallic thin film type magnetic recording medium without damaging the surface of the medium and to produce a high quality magnetic recording medium.

CONSTITUTION: A plastic film 6 having a lower plastic deformation point than a magnetic recording medium 4 is allowed to run while in press contact with the surface of the medium 4 to remove foreign matter sticking tightly to the surface of the medium 4, especially splashes sticking tightly to the surface of the magnetic layer by embedding it into the film 6. The foreign matter sticking firmly to the surface of the magnetic recording medium can be removed without damaging the surface of the medium and drop-out can be reduced without affecting the preservation characteristics.