Deep Cleaning Records With Steam?

The steam cleaning works very well for me, but I'll comment on the really dirty records mentioned above. I have found a diluted vinegar solution to be quite effective on those really cruddy records. There are still a couple of records I can't quite get clean but they are certainly closer to being clean than they were and with repeated steam cleaning and vinegar I reckon I can get just about anything off.

The post above which states you can't get rid of scratches is, of course, correct. But you would be amazed at what does come out. I have a record I thought was scratched with a huge click right across side 2. The click is now a quiet muffled noise since steam cleaning. It must have been dirt and not a scratch. You would be amazed at how many scratches are really just dirt.

Lastly, there is a thread on AudioKarma where someone has got some old records and tried a few treatments. The upshot of it has been that some pretty powerful cleaners have done no damage to his records. I think we all need to realise that vinyl is pretty tough stuff. Yes, the grooves are microscopic and we need to take care, but, remember, vinyl is not some fragile material, it is actually quite strong and durable.

DS

Yep, DS, I agree with your findings. Many of those scratches become catch basins for the dirt and crap that cause ticks or pops when the come 'round to meet the stylus. Blast that gunk out with steam and it is surprising how much extraneous noise is gone.

As far as using tougher cleaners, I've not found a need to go beyond an alcohol-based cleaner which I use right after a steaming, while the moisture is still on the LP. I vacuum this up after some light scrubbing and then follow with a good rinse with high purity water. I'm finding that any clicks or pops beyond this are most likely damage.

davidsss I think the tick is sometimes maybe mold. I often wonder if the heat is enough to release the mold? I think dirt as well and one guy menttioned not needing a RCM. I still do not regret buying mine. It just works even better now.

Volleyguy i cant agree more with you on using a RCM. I used a lazy Susan and a shop vac for years. I have acquired most of my favorites and realized that the ease of a RCM is priceless if you are going to be cleaning a lot of LPs. I usually wait till if have 20 or so and then do my steam cleaning method. But i sure can understand others being happy cleaning LPs there way.

Bottom line if you are going to use vinyl playback as your main source the first step is ultra clean LPs.

A RCM in conjunction with steaming is my choice for sure. I would not be able to scrub and steam at the same time the first step in cleaning for me.

Steamers: Keep in mind that using attachments may increase the chance of sputtering. I recommend not using any attachments. A re-read of the thread provides lots of free advice.