stereo for the joy of it - can records be cleaned?

Dave,
 Driver knows routs. Passenger sits back and relaxes.
Speed of 500rpm is dialed gradually so there will be no spindle hole damage and records are clamped pretty tight as well between plastic "pancakes".
I have much more records, but usually stack about 2...3000 for sale in record store. Any new arrivals to be priced $5 or more should be cleaned if dusty or filthy. 
Cleaning records with steamer seems to be similar to placing them to dishwasher when you have nothing to loose. I've placed some of them clamped with same pancakes I use for ultrasonic machine to protect labels right into the dishwasher to get rid of PAINT, but apparently, Zippo lighting fluid worked almost same or better with no hassle. With steam or dishwasher cleaning it's win or loose situation. Would not recommend it on very light records, because they will get warped even after the short period of time 5...10min enough. Not sure if Michael Fremer explained magnitude of risk using steamer.

 

RecordgenieUSA....my steamer is branded "Perfection". It comes with a variety of tips to clean mold from your bathroon, to take the wrinkles from your clothes, and is a lovely shade of red. I got it from Home Depot on sale for 14.95. Use distilled water, put the record on a towel, steam the vinyl record (stay away from the label), wipe with a microfiber towel...maybe use a static neutralizer ......everything is gone except for the scratches. Have a good time. Used this method many time with never an untoward result.  I would never recommend it if I had doubts.

stringreen,

Thanks for the info, although unfortunately it looks like the Perfection brand of steam cleaners are no longer made, although I checked and see it’s probably a 1000 watt steamer you have, the bright red one!

There are steamers on Amazon for around $30 if I want to buy new, but I think I will keep an eye out for one at yard sales etc just to play with, and I will be sure to experiment on scrap records to start!

Thanks,
Dave

..and a lovely shade of red it is... too bad they're out of business.

Stringreen: In case I missed it, Did you ever report what type of "audiophile approved" record cleaner you use? I assumed, by your posts, it was something other that the steamer?

FWIW: I have always steamed my lps before my normal cleaning regimine.
I use to use the original Mapleshade steamer that was highly recommended in these forums years ago. Since then, I purchased a db tech steamer off of Amazon a couple of years ago that really works well. It has 95% of the steam power, 95% of the steam outflow/pattern area of that machine and in addition, has similar water reservoir capacity, and much better ergonomics.
I find all of these things very important as I do with any tool I use. The end result is only as good as the well designed tool that is used, IMO. I'm willing to pay more for such things. If I remember correctly, it cost under $40.00 when I purchased mine.

FWIW: I would not put a lp into an ultrasonic cleaner that has anything stuck to it's surface such as inner sleeve/paper. I have an Audio Desk and a 16.5. My first goal in cleaning is to remove all contaminates from the lp surface before the lp sees the last two machines.

BTW: When I steam my lps, after I scrub them with enzymatic cleaning fluid, I then hold them over a sink while steaming off any crud. Then and only then do I proceed to the next two machines.

The ultimate goal is, for me, when I introduce the lp to the AD cleaner, to have the very least possible contaminants on the lp surface so that cleaner can perform it's job with as much "clean water" as possible for as long as possible of time. Reducing money spent on associated fluids etc...