Steam cleaning records 2

Great thread, as was the first one. I noticed the first thread early on and gave it a try soon after. This was because I already had a hand-held steamer at my disposal. My wife several years ago bought a Eureka Hot Shot, and after a couple of days of use, put it away in a cupboard where it sat for several years. It was waiting there for me when I needed it. Steaming records is now part of my record cleaning process, because it works. Not all of my records come out silent, but they all do show improvement with the steaming. I also use the "Quickie" back brush that was recommended in the first thread.

After a while, I bought a Perfection steamer since there was some indication here that it might be superior. After having used both, I'd have to say that's true, but they both work. The Hot Shot does have a tendency to "spit". I have noticed with both that they cycle heat to the boiler which would account for the steam coming out stronger at times than others. My guess is that was designed in for either safety reasons, or to extend the life of the heating element, or both. I find that if I'm getting a weak blast of steam, if I wait a short time, it will be stronger the next time I need it. I haven't run into the problems described by Madfloyd. I can only guess that his local Walgreens maybe got a bad batch of Perfection steamers. Who knows?

Anyway, thanks crem for bringing this method of cleaning record to our attention. I never would have thought of it on my own.

The notion that changes in weather conditions might reguire some tweaking of one's playback system is not farfetched. The Magnepan Unitrac instruction book/setup guide mentions this possibility with regard to their tonearm.

It puzzles me that everyone here gets widely varying results from steaming. I have found it pretty effective in removing dirt, crud, or whatever you want to call it. It doesn't perform miracles and heal damaged vinyl. Also, I have never (thus far) had a problem with labels coming off because of steaming. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is time consuming.

I have to agree with Stltrains. I don't know Crem1 personally either, nor have I corresponded with him by email. I'm not even that invested in this thread, having posted here only twice before. Never-the-less, Crem1's ideas about steaming have been useful to me. My records now play better and quieter than before. Had it not been for this thread and the previous one, I would not have found out about this method. Crem1 has not contacted me for any financial renumeration for the use of his ideas. I doubt that he ever will. I'm glad he contributed here freely. There is no need for the personal attacks regardless of whether one agrees with the validity of steaming or not.

Those of you who think steaming is worthless, well, just don't steam. Use your VPI, N-G, Loricraft, or whatever and be happy.