Steam Powered Record Cleaning

audiobliss

jm1 wrote: »

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

LOL!!!

madmax

It didn't sound like a good idea to me to steam records at first, thats all. I imagined the grooves changing shape and all sorts of noises cropping up from inconsistant heat being applied, not to mention loss of high frequency.
madmax

treitz3

So far I haven't noticed any discernible difference between cleaning and immediately playing and letting the LP sit overnight. Thanks again to all who have been involved in this thread and a big shout out goes to jm1 for starting it in the first place!

madmax

I cleaned another 10 or so today with no problem. Makes me feel like I'm at the carwash.
madmax

strider

madmax wrote: »

I cleaned another 10 or so today with no problem. Makes me feel like I'm at the carwash.
madmax

Are you still using the Shark without the nozzle attached? I tried it last night, and found the machine couldn't produce steam quick enough to keep up with the demand. Plus, my basement started to look like I had started a fog machine; I could barely see the damn record!

treitz3

I'm using the 45 degree attachment. I had to wrap the connection of the attachment with a towel to keep it from leaking drops of water. Strider, just look at the side of the Shark and it will tell you when it is ready for steam. I'm at between 3-4" above the album, direct stream.

madmax

I have been using the nozzle. Seems to work good with it. I tried once without but ran out of steam. I didn't know for sure if I left it on long enough.

What is the "45 degree attachment" anyway? Is that the thingy with the rubber wiper attached?

I'm thinking the larger model might have been a good choice. It gives a good amount of steaming time although not excessive.

Oh, BTW, in the scheme of things I think this is the best $40 I've spent on vinyl. The improvement is significant. I'm almost wondering if the steaming and vacuuming alone would be the best cleaning method. I'm feeling like I might be adding more dirt by applying the cleaner with the brush. Does anyone think steaming as the last step would cause drying out or hardening of the vinyl or anything bad?

madmax

treitz3

The 45 degree attachment is just a tip that points the steam down toward the LP. Yeah, I'm kinda wishing I had gotten the Ultra. Of course it may not produce steam any faster.

madmax

Once it gets going it keeps up. I wish it had some sort of "ready" light, a power switch and a fluid level indicator.

This looks just like the ultra shark at a reasonable cost. I ordered one as a backup. http://cgi.ebay.com/Sunshine-steamer-w-7PC-floor-kit_W0QQitemZ140193754385QQihZ004QQcategoryZ11702QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

hearingimpared

Man you guys are making me crazy. . . I can't wait for the UPS guy!!!

madmax

I just sent this to HI in a pm and got to thinking I should have posted it here for all because it is relatively interesting, silly as it sounds. So here it is:

"I did an interesting clean last night with a clear red lp. I was sitting there looking through it at the tv screen. I was noticing that there was no dirty looking garbage on it, very nice looking. While looking through the ending groove where there were no grooves I could see the tv picture clearly (red of course). Through the grooves it was a pretty distorted looking picture but I could pretty easily make it out. I cleaned it in my normal fashion and it still looked about the same. Then I steam cleaned it. I could clearly see the picture now through the grooves. Don't ask why I sit around and do stuff like this, I just do. Now I'm wishing I had tried to take some pictures through it before and after."

hearingimpared

Wow!

madmax

Did you get it yet?

I'm thinking if I get time tonight I might pull out some of the LP's which had no problems, just didn't sound too great and give them a steam spin to see what happens.

I also have a bunch which although they look perfect they have a lot of noise. These came from a fellow who cleans them with his own home made solution which just doesn't seem to work properly. They actually got sudsy when I cleaned them normally the first time. Bad recipe I think.
madmax

hearingimpared

No I haven't! I keep looking out the door for the UPS guy.

Should distilled water alone be used in the steamer?

madmax

One of them, the "sunshine cleaner" says distilled water is not necessary but I remember from way back people saying to use distilled water when steaming clothes because tap water may leave stains. I went ahead and picked up a gallon of distilled to use.
madmax

hearingimpared

Thanks!

madmax

Don't worry about the mess all that steam will make of your cleaner, it looks worse than it is. Actually very little liquid left anywhere once you are done.

I've been cleaning with the normal cleaner first, then steam in both directions, then normal cleaner again. I think I may change the last cleaning to the MFSL pad (the velvet-like one) and see what that does. With the VPI applicator I'm feeling like I may be adding more dirt than removing in this last step.

Also, I've been hitting really long, hard and close with the steam at 45 degrees with no problems but of course do so at your own risk.

madmax

hearingimpared

madmax wrote: »

Don't worry about the mess all that steam will make of your cleaner, it looks worse than it is. Actually very little liquid left anywhere once you are done.

I've been cleaning with the normal cleaner first, then steam in both directions, then normal cleaner again. I think I may change the last cleaning to the MFSL pad (the velvet-like one) and see what that does. With the VPI applicator I'm feeling like I may be adding more dirt than removing in this last step.

Also, I've been hitting really long, hard and close with the steam at 45 degrees with no problems but of course do so at your own risk.

madmax

1. For already cleaned records, I was planning on doing the MFSL Super Record wash with the VPI brush, steam it both directions, then use VPI record cleaning fluid with the MFSL brush to finish it off.

2. For used records, I was planning on spraying Vinyl-Zyme Gold and applying with a 4" foam paint brush, then applying MFSL Super Deep Cleaner with the VPI brush. Next MFSL Super Record Wash with the MFSL brush, then steam then finish as stated above.

3. For new sealed records I was planning on doing the same as step two but omitting the Vinyl-Zyme Gold stage.

EDIT: I change the 16.5 vacuum tubes before using the MFSL brush stage.

What do yo think?

madmax

Sounds reasonable. Good catch on the vacuum tube, I wasn't thinking about it. I do however have a second tube with no cloth on it which I modified to install upside down. I often vacuum the cloth on the used tube (and the brushes) with it. I should pick up another tube to make life easier.

hearingimpared

madmax wrote: »

Sounds reasonable. Good catch on the vacuum tube, I wasn't thinking about it. I do however have a second tube with no cloth on it which I modified to install upside down. I often vacuum the cloth on the used tube (and the brushes) with it. I should pick up another tube to make life easier.

If you buy MFSL brush replacements you can replace the used up or just plain beat velvet on the tube. It is long enough and I believe it is the same material VPI uses on their tubes.

madmax

Good idea! I've looked around for a sticky backed fabric and hadn't found any.

hearingimpared

madmax wrote: »

Good idea! I've looked around for a sticky backed fabric and hadn't found any.

Elusive Disc has the replacement pads. It comes with two replacement pads which if you are using for just the tubes would give you more replacements then you can possibly use in a lifetime.

However, each replacement fits perfectly on the brush.

madmax

I tried using the steamer for cleaning plastic mini blinds today. Pretty crappy performance overall. I think I will stick to vinyl in the future.
madmax

treitz3

It cleans the toilet like no other. Does a great job on caulk that has turned in color. The caulk that lines the linoleum in my bathroom looks as if were installed yesterday. Whooo-Hoo!

Did I mention it does a damn fine job on LP's?

madmax

Always good to knock out a few floaters before hitting the grooves.

hearingimpared

Will it work in lieu of toilet paper?

schwarcw

I can understand why the steamer may work better than room temperature water. Basically hot water cleans better as it may "soften" oil or grease based dirt. It will also increase the solubility of dirt. My question is has anyone tried using plain hot water from a pump sprayer? I haven't tried a steamer but I'm wondering if hot water will work just as well.

SCompRacer

Carl, I think it all depends on the gunk. I have used 158 degree water to try and loosen cheetos and pizza roll sauce out of old LP grooves. Some gunk just doesn't soften fast enough. Steam works faster to dislodge it.

There are some old threads starting in 2001 at Vinyl Asylum about steaming records. The first time I tried it was with a goodwill LP and a tea pot. LOL Big mistake. You should have seen how fast that LP warped. If flattened as it cooled down, and proves that control and moderation of the steam is important.

schwarcw

SCompRacer wrote: »

I have used 158 degree water to try and loosen cheetos and pizza roll sauce out of old LP grooves.

WOW! Must have been a wild party;). Your right about that Rich. But for run of the mill dust, dirt and a little grime maybe hot water or hot cleaning fluid from a spritzer might be just as effective for most uses. I know the machine probably works, it just seems so cumbersome compared to hot water. Just heat a little in the microwave and spray. No worries about being too hot or another piece of equipment to lug out. Of course if the audio enthusiast has a vinyl laundry room with lots of space for towels, machines, fluids, brushes, etc. Then maybe the steam machine is just right.:D

Carl

SCompRacer

Carl, correct me if I am wrong but didn't I mention some of the strange things I was doing to clean used vinyl during a landline a couple of momths back? We were discussing goodwill/garage sale finds and the sad condition they can sometimes be found in. I know I said the cheeto/pizza roll thing to you before.

As for myself, I don't wear white gloves when handling vinyl but rest assured the fingers are clean of cheetos and pizza roll sauce. I wipe them on my pants first:D