Deep Cleaning Records With Steam?

Stltrains, good question.. A friend who bought the steamers yesterday asked me the same question an hour ago. Since my cleaning methods are manual, I will try my best with one of my cleaned and most noise free records. Will report lately.

That same friend is going to visit another good friend tonight with the Perfection Stemaer and they will clean a few records to compare them with our friends Loricraft + Audio Intelligence cleaned records he have. I have seen the Loricraft in action and it's amazing what it can do for a dirty record. Problem is, it cost over $1,500.00 and that's a lot of chunk for me... :O(

They will contact me with their results and will see how including the steaming worked for his method.

Jahaira

Stltrains: If you have any records that were cleaned with any method/cleaning solutions that did not use ultrapure water as the final rinse/step, I think you will find very clearly that going over those records using the Nerl water as a rinse and steaming with the Nerl water when it arrives will result in better sound quality and quieter records.

Hdm i kind of evolved my lp cleaning method in the past 2 years. I was strictly manual with using Disc Dr.s wash with locally bought distilled water along with MFSL brushes on a large lazy susan. I also used a small shop vac with the little attachment and a cotton cloth covering the opening. Then i went with Walkers Prelude system still using my manual method. I broke down and bought a 16.5 and really glad i did, along with Walkers cleaners. When i switched to Walker i marked the outer cover with a W so i know which i cleaned and rinsed with Walkers water. And at that time i could hear a difference for the better rinsing with Walkers. I bought some Audio Intelligence cleaner and water not long ago. And it was that water i used in my first steam cleaning. Like i said above steaming takes a lps sound farther for better sound IMO. I will most likely steam rinse my lp collection, though i will be getting 5 gallons of Nerl water on my next order for that job and hopefully more lps out there i may get in time.

Jahaira please get back to us on your findings.

Many thanks for the input guys.

I tried steam cleaning LPs that had been previously cleaned with a DIY loricraft-type RCM. Nerl reagent grade water is used in the steamer. The steamer is used after cleaning solution has been applied to the LP. DD brush to work the solution/steam and then vac. I also use Nerl as a final rinse and vac to finish.

I have recleaned & steamed either favorite or troublesome LPs. The LP is quieter and sounds better after being steam cleaned and is easily worth the additional step, it isn't any more time added to steam a LP side. Some used vinyl still needs enzyme cleaner. Steam & Deep Cleanse doesn't remove every biologic gunk of fingerprints, mold and food (?) smudges.

Overall, steam works for me. I don't have any problem maintaining steam pressure as it only takes about 20 seconds to cover a side. The only down side is the increased consumption of Nerl water to fill the 220ml tank.

I use a Precision (brand name) steamer from Waldgreens.com Its about 20 dollars and I use it with really dirty garage sale albums. I also have a nitty gritty which does a good but not so thorough, but easier to use job. I also clean my stylus with a small block of Majic Eraser. Cleanliness is next to....