Deep Cleaning Records With Steam?

Larryi, What steam units do is wisk/steam-off the manufacturing compounds/grit that traps organic and inorganic gunk in the grove; that gunk comes a host for bacteria and/or mold.

Steam harmlessly washes away all those compounds leaving just a reasonably clean grove to reproduce sound. An added plus may be some hydration of the uppermost ridges of the grove that takes some of the reported brittleness in sound away from that LP in playback.

It is for the above reasons I allow my cleaned recordings to rest before I play them. The cleaner you water source the more improvement you may hear.

According to scientific studies discussed in "Positive Feedback" years ago relating to record cleaning , momentary uses of strong chemical cleaners do not leach LPs unless submerged on the groves for very long periods of time.

That is not the case with steam that is comprised only of water and is used in seconds at a time. Steam cleaning (with the addition of using RCM's and fluids) enhanses the cleaning process because it deep cleans the grove and vacumms off spent fluid before a final light steam to remove everything left in the grove.

I have cleaned my records several times (3-4) with AIVS 3 step with a steam after each process and my records are very clean and sound great. However i still get a white powdery buildup on the stylus after playing one side of some records.Looking at the record under a microscope i can see what looks like a crystal like substance in a few of the grooves .
Does anyone know what this is or how to remove it? Steaming doesn't seem to remove this buildup.
Todd

Todd, The most probable cause : The water used for steaming.

The reason appears related to the heating tank coming in contact with poorly distilled water or tap water ;the water boils, minerals deposit on the inside walls of the heating tank that re-deposit onto whatever one steams in the form of a white power. Some manuals for hand held steam cleaners recommend a 50-50 blend of warm white vinegar and distilled water poured into the unpluged unit to help remove the deposits overnight. However, that hasn't worked for me.

Whenever a steamer deposits stuff or begins "spitting", its easier (for me) to buy a new one. It does seem the older the unit the greater the probabilty ,unless, one has always used super pure or greater water products. The maxium , the cleaner the water product the less likely the steamer will shower your work with unacceptable mineral deposits.

From emails I've received the issue is not wide-spread and for unexplaned reasons can occur (very rare) right out of the box. I know of two instances that were replaced by the seller without problems.

The good news is that a good brush /or de-static brush will remove the white powery stuff , as will a soft, mildly damp micro cloth.

My last suggestion is that heavly molded LPs from years in basements can have shreds of mold left behind, but from your description I think H2O is the culprit.

Thanks CREM1 but this deposit is present before the very first cleaning. I have checked it under a microscope before it is cleaned and i can see it in the groove.I have been told it is mold release products from the record pressing or paper deposits from the record sleeve or deposits from the steaming. Could be mold release but not build up from the record sleeves cause i just checked and i have plastic lined record sleeves.After 6 cleanings and steamings the deposit has decreased by about 50% , i was hoping i could find a faster and cheaper way to remove this buildup.I am using up a lot of my cleaning solution.
Also i have been using distilled water in my steamer and rinse it out after every second steam and i have cleaned it with a descaler product i use in my water distiller, i think if it is safe enough for drinking water it should be safe enough for cleaning my records.

Todd, My appology for misunderstanding your query.

I have discussed exactly what you have observed with a few audio fluid designers in the past few years. The consensus of opinion was that some mold release products attract bacteria that actually feed on the mold release product; coupled with inorganics from the manufacturing process , it produces a white "concrete" that "glues" itself to the grove wall. Some fluid companies have done extensive research on removing the stuff relying on enzyimes to break down the compound and alcohol-type liquids to neturalize the bacteria .

Since my conversations were confidential in nature I am hesitant to relay information that may not be complete or breaks trust. But I will say that Audio Intelligent Design Fluids and L. Walker products make a strong case in print they can remove that particular problem.

I have also been attempting to tackel the same issue using a slightly different approach, live patient protected bacteria designed to eat all organic materals. My interest came about after having a LP that seemed to resist every attempt at cleaning. Live bacteria do require certian conditions to thrive and they take at least an hour per side. But, in my case they worked beyond what I felt possible. Right now I am awaiting a shipment of bacteria and I would be happy to send you a sample but I have no way of knowing when company "X" will send me a shipment. Should you feel ok with the wait send me a email or purchase a enzyime based cleaner, use the product and later steam off. Charlie