Shark Super steamer distance while steaming record

I have been doing 3"-4" with great effect.Sometimes the record will warp while steaming ,but pops right back..I also do a clean spray rinse(dem. water with simple spray bottle ) right after steaming..Works wonders....

i will take it down to less than an inch. as already said, they can warp but heat up the inner part of the record, starting at the run-out grooves and out, and the lp will lay down beautifully.

Be careful about over-heating if you are using an RCM like VPI 16.5 to vacuum up. I ruined several records all down the radius line where the felt vacuum wand clamps down.

I use mine about 1" from the record while it is spinning on a VPI RCM. To alliviate your fears about warping the grooves on your records, steam across your open palm at different distances. You will be surprised to find it is not that hot.

for me it all depends on how cruddy the record is. i use a perfection and depending on condition from 4 to no closer than 2 inches. i haven't harmed a vinyl record using steam. i would not clean my records any other way.

Thanks for your replies,
I'm not sure if they are getting cleaner because I am moving the nozzle closer each time, or if it is because they are getting another steam clean each time? I find I sleep better at night when I am about 2" away, but I am still experimenting.

On a side note, I brought my steamer over to a friends house. He has a vpi 17 cleaner and uses vpi fluid. He brought out a record he said he cleaned 6 times front and back and left on the machine for 10 mins and was never able to get ride of some very audible pops. We listened once, then cleaned with the steamer and the same fluid, the pops were gone, he was amazed and went to Kmart for a steamer.

Hello,
I have the Europro, its more of a professional steam cleaner. It rolls around like a Cannister vacuum cleaner. It costed about $300.00 to $400.00 but is supposed to be for heavy duty use, it does not run out of steam. It has a Large Sytainless Steel Tank, under pressure, holds over 2 liters of water, and has adjustable Steam pressure, and adjustable force of steam pressure. I was thinking of using this for records, but never have. Its basically the same as the handhelds, but does not run out of steam, due to large water tank inside. It is big and heavy, well built. But the temperatures should be the same, just that this model will produce that temperature on a consistant basis, due to large tank, and its intent is for continuous professional use. The temperature of these are supposed to be hot enough to kill any bacteria, I forget exactly what that is, since I have read th booklet, but I think its somewhere in the are of 200 degrees farenheight. Do these work as well as VPI record cleaning machines? What method do you use to clean? Do you towell dry, or air dry? Or must you also have a VPI machine in conjunction with it? Thanks, I appreciate any input. Ray

Hi Ray, I would advise you to read over the steam cleaning thread for more info,
but here is my process:

Firstly I use a vpi 16.5 vacuum cleaner, and my own solution of 25%isopropyl 75% distilled water, 1/4 teaspoon purple power cleaner. ( or Dawn dish soap for a while)

1. I clean with vpi brush and solution, no steam, vacuum
2. steam 10 secs, 4-6" away moving from outside grooves to inner grooves, add solution clean with vpi brush, vacuum
3. steam 10 secs, same as above, vacuum
4. Distilled water wash, mo-fi brush, lots of water, vacuum
5. dish rack to air dry for 15-30 mins.

It is fun.

Google "record cleaning" under videos and you'll find a good video by "Stltrains"
( Thanks for that!)

I would stay away from an industrial steamer, as I used a garment steamer and damaged some records, and I really damages/melted a record with the garment steamer before I had the vpi, trying to clean on the countertop.

good luck

Thanks Hanaleimike....I appreciate your input. I have had no experience with steam and records. I also own an Oreck Handheld Steamer, maybe that would be better to use than my big one. Although technically they are supposed to do the same thing, just the big one has a large tank capacity, so less need to start and stop steaming, frrom running out of hot steam. Plus my Big one has adjustments for force of steam, and level of steam. At 4-6 inches I can put my hand in front of the steamer for some time. Ray