Deep Cleaning Records With Steam?

O : Without a microscope its hard to make a good guess. My suspicions are some sort of "Last or Sound Guard-type" product or a pressing issue. If either is correct, the problem maybe beyond the limits of cleaning .

I have never done this but for a last resort,dishwasher liquids (which exact ones are the best I do not know) are said to be chocked full of man-made enzymes. Again,I do not know the ratio but a very small amount of dishwashing liquid to warm H2O,shake until disolved,then paint the liquid on the LP,let sit for 2 or 3 minutes,scrub,steam-rinse and a water-bath rinse. Dry w/ microcloth, air dry or RCM. Oilmanmojo, I haven't tried it but it "sounds" as if it may work on some grime but what you encountered I don't know for certian. I think the pressing may be at fault.

I have read this thread but still have some questions for Crem1. Do you begin your current steam regimen by placing the LP on your RCM with the jar remover covering the LP label? I believe it would be easier to control the actual steaming as the spinning LP on the RCM would allow you to position the steamer over the LP starting at the inner grooves and moving slowly toward the LP rim in a straight line like a straight line tracking tonearm. Also I think you said you hold the nozzle close enough to the LP such that the steam pattern is about the size of a dime. Correct? Does that imply that the nozzle is pointing straight down at the record as opposed to holding it at an agle? I am concerned about the amount of moisture that would be deposited on my VPI 17F. Is that an issue on the RCM? I will probably have more questions, but first I need to get a steamer. I will probably try the Walgreen's unit first. TIA for your answers/advice. John

Just saw this steamer. Appears close to the Mapleshade and other units mentioned regularly. Only $20.00 plus shipping.

Not having the funds for an RCM, I grab a bath towel, put it on the kitchen counter, place the record on the towel, spray on then paint the cleaning solution over the entire record, wait a minute or so and then steam/wipe, steam/wipe and then one more steam/wipe cycle using several different microfibre cloths.

It takes about 8-10 minutes per side. I write the date of the cleaning on the inner sleeve.

Garage Sale records might take another few cycles but the results are worth it.

All I can say is that it works for me (Thanks Crem1 again!), although steaming fogs up my eyeglasses (grin).

Regards,

Jan

Allvinyl i use a 16.5 and yes it will get wet but i have had absolutely no problems at all with it. I have no problems ether with the label and i dont cover it. I work the steam from the outside in with my cleaning method.