Deep Cleaning Records With Steam?

Man am I steamed! Based on Crem1 suggestions, I got my wife to buy me a Perfection steamer for Christmas. I went to Pep Boys and got the deionized water, even bought myself a 3" Purdy brush. I already have a VPI record vac that is 26 years old and still going strong (so obviously I believe in cleaning records). I have been using the Walker Audio Prelude with great success. So, I followed Crem1 recommendations and have been astonished at the results. I am truly hearing sounds in records I have played for 26 years that never heard before. And it most cases way less surface noise. Thanks Crem1! I now consider a steamer and a record vac a must.

Jbaussie : You made my New Year's Eve with such a positive email, thank you .

J: Steam Cleaning is based on science not hype. In terms of Lp cleaning, that means anyone who chooses to follow the process (and respects Steam Cleaning from a safety point of view) can expect the same positive results that I have enjoyed for years for a fraction of the cost associated with record cleaning.

We must always remember, the industry has "educated" we Lp'ers to expect Instant Karma by cleaning from a liquid in a bottle , a machine or brush costing BIG bucks. But thats only a small part of the story. Cleaners and machines all have a place in the arsenal of record cleaning aids; the real story is " what do your ears tell you " and that is priceless .

Be assured I'm science-type person with room for inspiration and innovation. I love those black discs and I have been experimenting with remarkable ideas that compliment steaming bringing more musical enjoyment to folks like you and I.

Recently, I have had several break-thru's that I must re-test to make certian they are ready for "Prime Time". Till then, keep the revolution going.

Based on the email threads on the subject of steam cleaning I purchased the Perfection Hand Steamer and Peak water today and tried it out. Some initial questions/comments as I try to get a process down:

1. Just to confirm, you do NOT use any of the attachments that come with the cleaner. If so, then if I chose to steam a record on my RCM (seems easier than hand held which I tried tonight) then I would need to use the extension & nozzle attachments to avoid tilting the steamer at > 45 angle (whcih the user guide does not recommend). Does that sound reasonable?

2. I steamed one (old) lp for practice, then cleaned with Disc Doctor. The lp must have expanded as it was much more difficult to put it back on the turntable (the center hole had become constricted). How do I avoid this from happening?

Any guidance is much appreiacted.

Thanks.

Stelkor : Thanks you for the remarks and Q's.

1. As time goes on and I receive more emails from Steamers
and I am learning from their experiences.

Several Steamers report excellent results cleaning Lps on the RCM's. I too have lately experimented with their suggestions; I agree that in most cases one can steam clean effectively on the RCM turntable.The RCM turntable and surroundings can get very wet may need a careful wiping off.

It is my observation the physical action of steam hitting the groves is the catalysist that releases contaminates .That release is accelerated by a record cleaning solution following the initial steam. Remember, to always steam-off the record cleaning solution following a good scrub and vac on a RCM , or you will defeat the purpose of getting the vinyl as free of sonic fingerprints(residue) as possible. Some steamers forgo the vac in favor of micro-cloths reporting similar results. Personally, I use both and would never give my RCM.

The exception to cleaning on a RCM rather than initially by hand, appears more directed to recordings that visually exhibit greasey-type smuges/fingerprints or organic-type grunge. Stuff one may find on second-hand LPs; the steam control issues may become more important regarding a "45 degree angle" for removing gunk for the dirter-than-thou LPs than the mint-. Again , to clean on a RCM is a choice not than absolute rule. My preference is to use all options depending on my naked-eye observation and wipe-up the slightly wetter RCM at clean-up time.

I feel , the shorter the distance from the steam cleaning unit to the LP the better. With the Perfection I do use the 6" cone attachment sometimes but no other. My experience had been the steam tends to cool down in the hose attachments sometimes causing a water build up in the hose that streams out when you initially pull the trigger to the Steamer. That is not what I want and that happens far less using the shortest distance between the heating tank and the vinyl surface.

2. The hole issue one is new on me. My practice is to avoid getting the label wet by applying a cover -- I use a give away circular vinyl jar opener to cover the label.

Stelkor, what you have aluded to has been discussed personally with me; that some LPs seem "expand" after cleaning then return to normal size.

I know of one scientist who has related that he believes some vinyl compounds retain heat longer than other vinyl compounds . However, following extensive listening , he deserned no playback problems. Personally, I have read a couple of articles that suggest recently cleaned Lps (cleaned on RCMs) "rest" for a period of 30 minutes or more, and claims the LPs sound "better" when rested for a day . I can only relate that of all the LPs I have cleaned one or two 1950's Verves really did sound improved with a rest.

But Stelkor let me make this clear,in all the years of steaming have I never damaged a record by steaming. Bad turntable management Yes , Steaming ? No.

Cheers , Charlie

Stelkor & Crem1 -
As a precaution can a piece of metal (nail?) of the appropriate diameter be inserted into the LP spindle hole prior to cleaning? Might help conserve original dimensions.

Just did my first steam cleaning. Treated Steely Dan's "The Royal Scam"...a very noisy LP since bought many years ago. Steaming has improved things beyond what straight cleaning fluid/RCM cleaning did. I'm inclined to give it another treatment and see if the last residual "pops" can be eliminated. No issues with spindle hole dimension changes.