Drubin : Contamination appears to begin with the quatity of the water. The "cleaner" the water the less contamination to the heating tank. I have received emails from "steamers" that remark they clean out the tanks with every useage. I try to use the cleanest water available and worry about the heating tank later. So far I have found never use tap water and be carefull to determine if the quality of water meets established standards. Short of all that I use a water product "Peak Battery Water" purchased @ Pep Boys Auto, Peak Battery Water that $ for $ seems to be a best buy. I am certian other cleaner sources exist but the cost far exceeds $3.@ Gal.
Deep Cleaning Records With Steam?
It has happened again. Major tweak and record provider has available a steam cleaner made especially for records. Anybody try steam for cleaning lp’s? What were your results? Since a unit can be had for about $20 at Target, 15% of what the tweak provider is charging, is it worth a try?.
436 responses Add your response
You can drive yourself crazy with this stuff if you want to. I use ultrapure water myself. Bulk of it is in a 1 gallon glass lab container. I transfer it into an old RRL SVW plastic bottle that's more manageable when it comes to actually cleaning records. Load up the steamer with it and what doesn't get used sits in the steamer til next time when I usually just top it up. Works for me. The results are excellent. As Crem says, it makes sense to start with the cleanest possible water and I know I have that, so I don't sweat the small stuff. |
I have found that a full tank will clean about 8-10 records for me. This will vary with each individual timing method. Just check your record avarage and use the neccesary water to adapt at your convinience. For example, if I want to clean just 4-5 records, I use half the water ( 4 oz). This way, your steamer tank will use every drop of water and you don't need to left any water that can be contaminated into your steamer tank. |
Something to Consider: According to emails from "Analog Fanatics" , as they upgraded analog playback front ends into the maga-buck world , not only did they hear more from the LPs , but a new character (we shall label dust/grit) created a sonic signature to compete with the music. They said conventional RCMs did little to change the situation until ever so reluctantly a few started to steam clean LPs. Now, some of those AF'ers swear that without the gunk tamer (steam) the upgrades could have been a waste of $. Go figure. |
had an interesting experience last nite with a record i was steam cleaning. I will try again tonite to see if i can improve it but I just brought a used copy of jefferson airplane "bark". After my usual regime, i put the record on and it sounded like a record that was not clean. After one track i looked at the stylus to see if there was buildup but nothing. the sound is not the typical surface ticks and pops but sounds like a dirty record. it is an original pressing on the grunt label. I played the entire album and when the music was playing the "noise was not noticeable but between tracks and both sides have this noise. I will use a extended cleaning, soaking steaming regime to see if it is really dirty but usually those do show some buildup on the stylus. also the record looks almost new with very few surface scratches and smudges. Anyone else seen this with a LP? |
O : Without a microscope its hard to make a good guess. My suspicions are some sort of "Last or Sound Guard-type" product or a pressing issue. If either is correct, the problem maybe beyond the limits of cleaning . I have never done this but for a last resort,dishwasher liquids (which exact ones are the best I do not know) are said to be chocked full of man-made enzymes. Again,I do not know the ratio but a very small amount of dishwashing liquid to warm H2O,shake until disolved,then paint the liquid on the LP,let sit for 2 or 3 minutes,scrub,steam-rinse and a water-bath rinse. Dry w/ microcloth, air dry or RCM. Oilmanmojo, I haven't tried it but it "sounds" as if it may work on some grime but what you encountered I don't know for certian. I think the pressing may be at fault. |
I have read this thread but still have some questions for Crem1. Do you begin your current steam regimen by placing the LP on your RCM with the jar remover covering the LP label? I believe it would be easier to control the actual steaming as the spinning LP on the RCM would allow you to position the steamer over the LP starting at the inner grooves and moving slowly toward the LP rim in a straight line like a straight line tracking tonearm. Also I think you said you hold the nozzle close enough to the LP such that the steam pattern is about the size of a dime. Correct? Does that imply that the nozzle is pointing straight down at the record as opposed to holding it at an agle? I am concerned about the amount of moisture that would be deposited on my VPI 17F. Is that an issue on the RCM? I will probably have more questions, but first I need to get a steamer. I will probably try the Walgreen's unit first. TIA for your answers/advice. John |
Not having the funds for an RCM, I grab a bath towel, put it on the kitchen counter, place the record on the towel, spray on then paint the cleaning solution over the entire record, wait a minute or so and then steam/wipe, steam/wipe and then one more steam/wipe cycle using several different microfibre cloths. It takes about 8-10 minutes per side. I write the date of the cleaning on the inner sleeve. Garage Sale records might take another few cycles but the results are worth it. All I can say is that it works for me (Thanks Crem1 again!), although steaming fogs up my eyeglasses (grin). Regards, Jan |
Allvinyl Jahaira has answered your questions like i would. The only difference is i hold the nozzle 1 to 2" away for all cleaning. You will notice on some Record company labels that a wavieness of the vinyl will happen when steaming. Dont worry the lp will return to its original shape. Experiment on a lp or two thats in real bad shape that you dont play for that reason, hear what results you achieve. If that works then go for one of your favorites and listen to the difference for the better. Happy Steaming. |
FYI: Today I received a flyer from Walgreens indicating they are offering a $10 rebate for the Perfection hand held steam cleaner; thats $ 19.00 not bad. On TV I did notice a hand steamer "The Monster 1200" that currently sells for $67.00 and claims to have a separate chamber for liquids that can be spritzed into the steam chamber moments before release with a head of steam. I don't know a thang other than the info commerical; the web site is only a replay of the commerical sans any details or specs. Should anybody know more please relate. |
Hi all, I have been happily steaming away for for a couple of months now, and I have found other uses for steaming. You know how the Onzow Zerodust gets full of dust after awhile, and needs to be cleaned? I remove the gel bubble from the box, place it on the upside down box, and steam it clean. It comes out looking like new, and seems to return it to the very sticky condition as when new. Highly recommended! Also, works well on record cleaning brushes. Enjoy, Dan |
Crem1: Checked out the Monster 1200 on the web site. Intriguing, but I think you could be more judicious with the cleaning fluids by applying them directly to the LP as you have always described. I am still going to try the Perfection first, hoping someone takes the plunge for the Monster and can report their results. I am out of work right now so discretionary $$ is at a premium. Anyone need a Storage/UNIX admin in the Twin Cities area? ;-) For cleaning fluids, I will be trying the RRL Super Cleaner, L'Art du Son, and DD. I am also intrigued by the enzyme cleaners from AVIS and Walker but don't have any on hand. I have been using the RRL SC and LAdS fluid with good results but expect the noted improvements by adding steam. I'm also going to try without any fluid at all as one contributor says he feels the steam obviates the need for any cleaning fluids. I'll report back when I have been able to get the steamer and have cleaned some LPs. I have several good test cases that I can use as my free time has allowed me to do a lot of record cleaning lately so I can listen to these already cleaned records, steam, and re-listen. Can't wait! |
Allvinyl: Thanks for the post. My interest in the 1200 is informational ; I know its 1200 watts, manufactured in Italy and uses a unique second tank. Not much to consider . Deep in the backbone of the thread I mentioned some experimention with a rinse that I painted on. My interest is more focused on design and durability. All the Best. |
In the video clip they said it requires one minute to start steaming for 30 minutes. The additional tank is at the bottom of the unit and it will mix with the vapor at the last second, so it's not an apply and steam system, but a combination inside the water tank. It has more power than the Perfection and will not leak water into the record. I will suggest to take a look at the video and see it working. |
Do you think it is possible to have to much pressure? Yes, I think so. Not with the Perfection, although you see the record warping from the heat if exposed for long periods at short distance. If used as recommended here, no problem! Perhaps with the Monster 1200? After that demostration, yes! The vapor stream with this unit looks very strong and can be hazardous for the record and the person holding it. I don't think we need that kind of vapor strengh to remove duts and grunge from our records. Once up to heat and pressure, how much steam time do you get with the Perfection? Not sure about timing but it does gave me enough time to clean between 8-10 records until the water is gone. The manual said it can give you around 30 minutes. |
Perhaps this is addressed somewhere else but I haven't been able to locate it. I am preparing to steam all of my new and used records ( only about 30 or so ) and I don't want to put them back in the old dirty paper sleeves. As I know there are various types available, what would you guys recommend and where can I obtain them ? Thanks in advance, Keith |
What am I doing wrong here? I bought the Perfection Steam Cleaner at Walgreens and tried it out on a few old records that had quite a few ticks and pops. I used a microfibre cloth with some R/O water from the auto supply store and a few drops of dish soap to scrub the record. I then blasted it with the steam cleaner, rinsed with water, steamed it again, and dryed with another microfibre cloth. When I played the record, the sound was substantially better. There were virtually no pops or clicks and the sound seemed much more dynamic overall. However, when the record reached a quiet passage, there was a very noticable new noise that the record did not have before. A kind of "woosh, woosh" that seemed to be in time with the revolutions of the record. I tried my steaming technique again on another record and the same noise appeared. Luckily I was experimenting with some old garage sale records so nothing valuable was harmed, but I wonder if anyone else has had this result? Is there anything wrong with my steaming technique? I am hesitant to try this on one of my good LPs if the result will be the same. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks. |
D: It seems Steam Cleaning removed the most objectionable pops and ticks. You mentioned ,these LPs are "Garage" finds nothing wrong with that, but underlying previous owner abuse or pressing noises can be revealed by a good cleaning. Sometimes we luck out and other times we don't with trash-bin finds. I do it all the time. Also, you mentioned "soap" and I don't recommend "soap" due to the fact it can cling to the grove sides like cement. Generic Record Fluids, to home-brew, to any of the Hi-Fi Cleaning Fluids great , but I never had any sucess with "soap". This thread has revealed some record fluids such as "Last and Sound Guard" ,to mention a few, do appear to have ageing problems that contribute to objectionable noise. When we buy second-hand you never know what to expect. Personally, I have not heard a "wisk" sound but on some finds I have heard a "cutting-head" or "scraping noise" . For me I just return them to Goodwill in the form of a donation for that other person who may be satisified. |
what you might be hearing is a bearing or platter noise versus the record. Do you hear the noise on any of your new or quiet vinyl? if so, see if it has a pattern with the revolution. on my gyrodec, when the oil level got a little low, i would hear a faint rub. Just an idea. I have used the steamer process and not heard the sound you discuss though i do have one album that resists all attempts so far to clean |
Viper-z: I recently purchased a Gallon of Peak Battery Water only to find the water was fouled. I did not contacted the company; I suspect the contamination was caused by age of the product--too long on the shelf. In my case I strained the gook off (Too much effort) and used the Peak Water for a household steamer. I only hope our problems are not what we can expect in the future. |
Drubin, You're kidding me! I'm located right at the heart of TEXAS - Houston - and guess what, I can't find "Rain Fresh" in any of the Wholefood market stores that I just visited today!!!!! (I went to three stores!) The purest water I can find is from Walmart, it's their standard "distilled water" $0.99 per gal. The label says the water has been treated by distillation, carbon filter, microfilter, reverse osmosis, UV treatment, ozonation. That pretty much sounds like the "Rain Fresh" that I was supposed to find. VZ |
Readers: Throughout this thread the question of water sources has come up and gone bye. The water or its relative purity has been discussed here and on other threads. On several occasions I have discussed the relative value of water products with manufactures of audio and other products that depend on excellent water sources. What I have learned is really quite simple, use the "cleanest" source until a better one can be found , and be prepaired to spend 20 times + the price of Peak Water should you decide upon Lab or Rx water sources. Many posts detail the value of hi-purity water and that should not be de-valued in any discussion. But, use what you have , avoid "tap water" due to fouling properities present(minerals, etc.). In the next several days I intend to speak to a Peak rep and will post a re-cap of that conversation. |
I'm in AU and got one from Godfreys (no affiliation). I'm convinced, the records are a lot cleaner. No, it won't get everything off, I still have some gunk on records which won't move, but it reduces surface noise enormously. I recently bought an old copy of the Stones High Tide and Green Grass and it sounds fabulous after a steam clean. DS |
Crem1 Great thread. I was skeptical initially as to whether it could be better than the Loricraft. Then I thought, why not try both, so I had the LP on the machine and sprayed it, then cleaned. That wasn't a very good idea as it left the surround area pretty wet...the trials of a newbie. Next I stick a chopstick through the LP and into the basin and cleaned the LP with the steamer. A little afraid I might damage it, I didn't use too much steam. It just occurred to me then that the vinyl won't melt, the steam will just remove the stubborn dirt. My steamer shoots out more like a spray of steam and very hot water, so it like blasts off the dirt. :) Then I go through the Loricraft in a 2 step process of detergent and pure water. The only hassle is that I can only do 1 side at a time, but the effort is immediately audible. Thanks for the tip! |
Cmk: Thanks for the positive feedback. A review of the Thread will reveal several methods of steam cleaning . I have held the Lp with a gloved hand , as well as steamed on the RCM. The results are always the same , a cleaner finished product. How far one goes with various steamers, record cleaning fluids and pure water all have an affect on the outcome but the outcome always leads to a more playable recording. All the Best |
Mapleshade Steamer for $45 Ebay Steamer I put this over at the VinylAsylum but figured I'd put it here too. You can get the exact steamer Mapleshade sells for $150 on E-Bay for $45. I've ordered one and look forward to trying it out. No affiliation with the e-bay seller, btw. |
Mapleshade does not just sell a steamer for $150. They sell a kit for $150 which includes a steamer unit with additional propietary cleaning fluids, mat and cloths. PHONOPHILE DEEP-CLEANING SYSTEM 1) The highest capacity hand steamer with the best spray pattern we’ve tested; 2) Mapleshade’s proprietary Deep Rinse Additive for the steamer, enough for 500 LPs; 3) super-effective Scuzzbuster Pre-Cleaner, developed by Mapleshade and more powerful than any other record cleaner in safely removing age-hardened residues, oily films and silicone mold compounds from 50 year old records and from new ones (treats 250 records); 4) the deepest-reach, softest microfiber cleaning block and drying cloths on the market (1 block, 2 cloths per kit) to gently lift the steam-loosened scuzz and grit out of the bottom of the groove; 5) a soft, absorbent, 17"x 27" terry cloth as a protective pad under the LP. |
