NOTE: I attempted to post this yesterday and was informed that I am restricted to a 750 word limit. I then posted a truncated version (three words) which apparently failed to amuse the moderator. So here, once more, is the full version. If it cuts of mid-sentence, so be it.
Here are my first impressions of steam cleaning with the steamer currently sold by Walgeens. Remember that I have nothing to compare the steamer's performance to except the videos I've seen and testimonials I've read.
First, the steamer: Walgreens Living Solutions, item #W14A8006
The steamer holds 220ml of water, which doesn't go very far (at least using it the way I did). Using the angled attachment and starting with the grooves nearest the label, I held the steamer about 3-4 inches above the record and moved in an expanding circular pattern. I could make about 2 laps around the LP before the steam velocity decreased noticeably and the Not Ready light came on. As I moved farther out, with the diameter becoming progressively larger, I found that I could not make one complete lap before having to wait for the steamer to catch up.
Evaluation
I am disappointed with the performance of this unit and suspect that it is sub-par when compared with steamers used by others.
Cleaning Results
I started on albums that I owned in high school (graduated in '72) which had be previously played to death on one of those ubiquitous BSR turntables with the tonearm that held that little "needle" that you flipped over to play 78s. On these specimens, no miracles were observed. Once I was sure I could do this operation without melting the vinyl, I moved on to records with a better history of care and found that surface noise was in fact reduced, sometimes dramatically. I should point out that my process consisted of
1. using 1 dedicated micro fiber cloth for pre-cleaning
2. steaming
3. using 2 more micro fibers to blot up the water and wipe dry.*
Conclusion
I think that steaming holds promise, provided the right equipment and techniques are used (thanks to the pioneering efforts of many others, I don't have to re-invent the wheel). With the addition of a cleaning solution to pre clean (paired with a VIP or DD brush), a better steamer and perhaps a vacuuming of the surface with a homemade attachment to finish up, I should get more consistent results and a sparkling clean record collection.
*the micro fiber cloths I used, something made in China and purchased from Lowe's, proved to be a poor choice judging from the tumbleweeds that were wrapped around my stylus after playing about 4 album sides.
