Deep Cleaning Records With Steam?

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.

Do the steam cleaners make as much noise as the vacuum pumps on the typical record cleaners (like the nitty gritty, vpi, etc)?

Is there a model that is effective and quiet?
Jeff