record cleaning findings/puzzle


Hello Gentlemen,

I have been experimenting today with steam cleaning my records. I am looking for support of my findings.

I used 2 identical records ( as well as others ) one I cleaned with the vpi 16.5 and my homebrew 25% isopropyl(99%), 75% distilled water (pharmacy)

Steps

1.Mo-fi brush one 2-3 cycle with cleaner, vacuum 2 cycle
2.audioquest brush, distilled water rinse 2 cycle, vacuum
3.Play

(The brushes were just ones I had around, I did not pick these for any particular reason)

The other record was cleaned with the same brushes, same method, but I also used the hand held steamer during steps 1 and 2. I kept the steam on the record 2-4 inches away, for duration of scrubbing.

I assume there is a sonic print to my solution, is achohol typically bright/harsh sounding?

Between the 2, at first I found the steamed ones to sound more organic, maybe slightly rolled off in the highs, but just warmer and more detailed everywhere else except the highs.

When I play the Alcohol only, cleaned record the highs are more present/forward, and noticeable, but upon further listening I notice a lack of depth because of it. trick details.

Here's the good part:

I then switched the cleaning methods for both records ( and others as well) and the sonic footprints followed each method onto each record. I did this back and forth 3 times with this pair and four times on another single record.

I am assuming I am hearing my solution, but could the steam somehow be reacting with my brushes and maybe melting them, or leaving something I am hearing on the surface which is damping the highs. At first I thought I wrecked the records, then I started to notice the inner details in the rest of the spectrum other then the highs, and when I added my solution again, the highs came back, now sounding to strong and glaring.

Which is the real sound of this record?
Has anyone else found this too?

Thanks,
Mike
hanaleimike
Hi there Hanaleimike
I had the same problem last week burnt 3 albums
what I changed was stay at 4 inchs away and dont heat up
the soap.
My method is
1/ steam 4 inch away
2/ while steam is still visable apply soap and scrub with cut to 1 inch paint brush
3/ vac away
4/ apply walkers enzine(Does wonders)for 1 minute scrub with vpi brush
5/ vac away
6/ apply alcohol 99% with distilled water 1/4 mix with vpi brush enough just to cover 10 seconds is fine
7/ vac away
8/ distilled water 10 seconds
9/ vac away
I know this looks like alot but this is just for used records (garage sale)makes them almost new .
For new I start from 4 the enzime and work to 9
Out of 1000 records 3 burnt albums is not that not bad.
Ive been steaming for quite a while but still have a lot of lps in my collection that were cleaned by other methods. To my ears steaming adds to a better playing record because its been cleaned to the bottom of the groove causing better contact with the stylus which is the reason for hearing a quite better sounding record, compared to the other non steamed records in my collection. Steaming is more work and time but for me its worth it.
Like mentioned the rinse cycle is IMO most important to get all of the solvent out of the grooves.
To each his own because its the music and how it sounds to our ears that counts.
That is a good perspective on steam cleaning. I could see how the records do actually have a more thorough cleaning with that method and therefore will have an improved sound when being played.
If you want the cleanest solvents, perhaps 'Semi Grade', those used in the semiconductor industry where any metalic /ionic (mobil ion) or heavy metal contam will destroy the devices.
You can write chemical companies for the MSDS and analysis sheets which should list the analysis of the chemical in question.
DO NOT use the steamer while the cleaning fluid is still on the record. Use it as a first step and as a rinse.
I've been steaming my LPs for 2 years and the results are truly excellent.