I concur with the others who have had positive results from steam cleaning records.
Crem1 has been very helpful in his postings here, and additionally via email, such that now I have adopted steaming as a routine approach to vinyl enjoyment.
The following procedure is a summary of how Crem1's method looks for me using the WalMart steamer. I offer it here if it helps to clarify things for other new adopters.
Method:
1.Place the LP on the VPI RCM and steam the recording while rotating so as to douse the grooves deeply with steam about 3-4” from the disc surface for approximately 10-15 seconds using an angled nozzle approach.
2.Stop the VPI motor and apply the record cleaning solution of choice [mine is a home brew based on isopropyl alcohol].
3.Carefully scrub with a VPI record cleaning brush while the disc is rotating. I allow about 4-5 rotations for this step.
4.Next give blasts of steam to dislodge crud for several revolutions, and then position the vacuum tube over the LP and turn-on the vacuum to suck off the alcohol and steam residue mixture.
5.Gently dry the arm tube with a micro-fiber cloth and then do a 10 second final steam "rinse" while the disc is rotating.
6.Vacuum off this remaining fluid for about 6 rotations and check for dryness of the disc surface and label.
7.Go over the cleaned LP with a pristine and dry micro-fiber cloth to remove any residual moisture and continue with the other side.
8.Use a new liner sleeve and make notations of treatment date for historical purposes.
9.This technique should last for a long time so just before playing, I merely use a dry high quality microfiber cloth to go over the LP surface to remove any new dust once the record is on the turntable platter. I suspect repeated steaming will not be needed on already treated records.
I hope this is useful and welcome any feedback that might enhance the approach. Thanks to all steamers for the advice, encouragement and assistance, especially Charlie.
Crem1 has been very helpful in his postings here, and additionally via email, such that now I have adopted steaming as a routine approach to vinyl enjoyment.
The following procedure is a summary of how Crem1's method looks for me using the WalMart steamer. I offer it here if it helps to clarify things for other new adopters.
Method:
1.Place the LP on the VPI RCM and steam the recording while rotating so as to douse the grooves deeply with steam about 3-4” from the disc surface for approximately 10-15 seconds using an angled nozzle approach.
2.Stop the VPI motor and apply the record cleaning solution of choice [mine is a home brew based on isopropyl alcohol].
3.Carefully scrub with a VPI record cleaning brush while the disc is rotating. I allow about 4-5 rotations for this step.
4.Next give blasts of steam to dislodge crud for several revolutions, and then position the vacuum tube over the LP and turn-on the vacuum to suck off the alcohol and steam residue mixture.
5.Gently dry the arm tube with a micro-fiber cloth and then do a 10 second final steam "rinse" while the disc is rotating.
6.Vacuum off this remaining fluid for about 6 rotations and check for dryness of the disc surface and label.
7.Go over the cleaned LP with a pristine and dry micro-fiber cloth to remove any residual moisture and continue with the other side.
8.Use a new liner sleeve and make notations of treatment date for historical purposes.
9.This technique should last for a long time so just before playing, I merely use a dry high quality microfiber cloth to go over the LP surface to remove any new dust once the record is on the turntable platter. I suspect repeated steaming will not be needed on already treated records.
I hope this is useful and welcome any feedback that might enhance the approach. Thanks to all steamers for the advice, encouragement and assistance, especially Charlie.