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Deep Cleaning Records With Steam?

It has happened again. Major tweak and record provider has available a steam cleaner made especially for records. Anybody try steam for cleaning lp’s? What were your results? Since a unit can be had for about $20 at Target, 15% of what the tweak provider is charging, is it worth a try?.
tiger
volleyguy
789 posts
 
One word of caution the Prince lp is a '80's LP and looks to have distorted the Apollo is much heavier vinyl and seems to have no problem.
crem1
672 posts
 
Volleyguy, I am under the impression that you haven't read every post prior to you use of Steam Cleaning. As the person that "invented" the process, please use record cleaning fluids and should you own a RCM use it. Of course, some can get away without a complete understanding of the process, but problems can appear that would not be so complicated with a tad more reading.
volleyguy
789 posts
 
Crem1 I did read quite a lot but not all. The one prince record which is '80's and the vinyl is thin did distort on the grooves. It still seems to sound very good though. I am interested in this process for those records that have a light mold on them that my RCM does not clean. I bought a steamer to clean our vinyl windows and got thinking then stumbled onto the tread. Any suggestions?
volleyguy
789 posts
 
Crem1 that is why I bought the other 2 price lp's mine has a slight mold but the 2 I bought are clean. They were cheap to experiement with and I can compare to a pristine copy. I know they get cleaner without a doubt! but wondered what happened to the grooves? Do you know what temp mold breaks down? This can only work if mold breaks down before vinyl distorts? I my case the records I am interested in this are mint (looking) but I feel sound 80%. The Apollo 11 record is garbage so all upside. (and work it does!) But what I did not want was to turn my mint vinyl with slight haze (mold) into 40% sounding vinyl? Cleaner yes but distorted?
oilmanmojo
472 posts
 
One trick for mold (fungus) is to use a mild bleach solution prior to steam cleaning. It works well to oxidize the mold. Rinse thoroughly then follow your normal cleaning regiment. Also, if you are distorting the vinyl, then you are heating it too much. The key with the steam is a slight heatup to aid in the cleaning process by making your cleaning solution more effective. think of trying to clean greasy pots with cold water vs hot water. The soap just works better warm
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