@anderzom no your labels will be fine. just dont get a heavy dose of liquid on them. overspray is ok if you have a wide mouthed tumbler/glass you can put it over the label if you like. thanks for replying and get those lps steam cleaned for the quietest noise free vinyl records where only the music is heard not snap crackle and pop.
@anderzom the steamer i use in the video is discontinued. there newer models now available a web search should work. you want to look for one with a nozzle that will have no more than a 1 inch wide spray. most home steamers have a variety of attachments included. again many thanks for your interest i highly recommend steam cleaning for the quietest in vinyl playback. Mike
hi, great video! i have a question, in case i dont have this machine or a vacuum cleaner, what should i do to dry the vinyl inmediately after the steaming process. I was thinking of using a hair dryer perhaps keeping some distance not to overheat the record
1987 its highly recommended to use a vacuum to get the liquid off the vinyl. even though we use the best ultra purified water theres still residue left behind by drying on its own. before i had my vpi i used a small shop vac with a small 4 inch attachment covered with a 100% cotton cloth on a lazy susan to turn the lp that works just fine. i cant comment on using micro fiber or any other type cloth because ive never used that method for drying. i would say no to the hair dryer to. good luck
hello yes no better way to get all of the music than listening to vinyl playback. to my ears nothing else tops vinyl. what i have in the bottles is record cleaning solution i use disk doctors miracle cleaner and the other bottle has lab grade water for my triple rinse. very important to add a small amount of cleaner to your rinse water which works to remove all of the rinse water like a release agent does. thanks for responding get those records steam cleaned and enjoy super quiet playback. Mike
Hi, I have cleaned over 100 records now using your method with steam. It works amazingly good.
Like you said in your video, none of the records I cleaned stayed warped after the cleaning process. After cleaning, the vinyl looks impressively shiny and it sounds great. I have even cleaned records I wanted to throw, because the looked THAT bad, and I was surprised how good they sounded at the end. Dear "analogue guy" ;-) I think you deserve an award for putting this video on the Net !!
JR glad to hear your having positive results Like myself your description mirrors my own It takes effort time and a small investment but in the end i still have not found a better way to achieve superior playback that this steam cleaning method accomplishes I agree with your comment about warping and that still holds true today after cleaning 1000s no harm my vinyl at all Just the best sounding quietest play back To bad steaming doesn't get warps out of our pre cleaned vinyl we cant have it all
@RICKROLLBLENDER hello, not sure what your getting at. i can assure you that if you want to hear your precious vinyl sound better than ever before get a steamer take the time and use this method. then get in your center listening seat and enjoy your collection like never before. you will hear quite vinyl with the music coming from that black background you heard about. enjoy the music Mike
oh and BTW, for people concerned about heat - believe it or not a needle running along a record groove gets so hot it actually melts the vinyl as it passes the undulations that create the sound. The groove wall becomes temporarily flexible and then returns to its original shape. Which is why a vinyl record can withstand so many plays.
filtecuk hello and sorry for the delay in my replying. ive mentioned this in earlier posts as others have commented on how disastrous using steam is for vinyl with knowing how lps are made and the heat process involved. and as you mention normal playback has more heat than the temperature of steam. as ive mentioned that 220 degree heat does not reach the record surface with the steamer tip 4 to 8 inches away from the lps grooves. vinyl lps are tough and can handle the steaming process with ease
Hello Analogue Record Person! I bet that works really well - I am currently working through my LPs (1975 - 1990 mostly) and am getting amazing results just using a manual 2 x wash & 2 x rinse technique with a carbon fibre brush, squezy and a rinse agent. Your LPs must sound great after this. The principle is to dislodge the atmospheric grease and dust that accumulates in the groove over the years, and flush it out. Result - clear bass, clear stereo image, and you get your treble back!
yes its the best method ive used and i listen to lps daily not having the snap crackle and pop and letting the music shine is such a big part of my going back to vinyl playback as the main front end for my listening sessions. yes before steaming i used a manual method with good results then vpi and things got quieter yet. then i tried steaming and have not looked back. thanks for posting and enjoy your vinyl records. the music is the reason for the time effort and work that clean lps deliver
@memorysticky sorry to say this does not work for getting warps out of your lps the vinyl does not get hot enough. On hot sunny days i use marble 12X12 sqs. in a sandwich with an lp in the sun. you have to be careful and keep checking this does work for me getting those bad warps out of my lps for better playback.
i listen to lps just about everyday and having a flat squeaky clean album sure makes my sessions in front of my speakers a good time. thanks for posting and enjoy the music. Mike
@ShadeyBladey just the opposite happens using steam to get grease, grime, dirt, oils, release compounds and everything else that gets in those grooves and causes noise to disrupt our enjoyment of the music. You dont leave the steam in one place or get to close so no harm is done only cleaning for superior sound. Ive been doing this for quiet awhile now and still for my ears the best way to get my lps clean for hours of listening to quite sweet playing vinyl. enjoy the music Mike
@stltrains Wow, you serious, man? You sure this isn't some hoax by a digital CD freak to get us all to melt our 40-year old album collection? When I saw that steam I just freaked. Then the record looks like it's warping and the light through the steam looks like the whole things caught fire. I'm a gibbering wreck but can't afford the Monk.
@ShadeyBladey No not at all Shadey this is a time tested way of listing to your lps music and not the snap crackle and pop that is quiet annoying. I dont even have my cd player hooked up. Its HD radio for back ground music and vinyl for serious front and center music listening. When i tell you a keith monks wont get your lps any cleaner then my method i am serious. indirect steam only cleans the grooves not melt them. good luck with your collection and have a good one Mike
I agree with thefarmersson ,if your LP's are in such poor condition that you feel the need to power steam them I think its time to put them in the bin .I have records i bought in the 80's and they are still mint . I have seen some LP's over the years and wondered how they got in such bad shape ,now I know why ,This guy looks so hap hazard I cant imagine what steam is doing to the lable .
shitehawkish if you are happy with what you are spending your time to listen to i am with you because for no other reason do i try so hard to accomplish the best playback and sound is to enjoy my music listening sessions. yes if you take care of your prized records from day 1 and are happy with what you are hearing great. when you find that 1 and its been $%#@up try a good steam cleaning for hopefully quiet playback. as for your last comment dont put steam on the label just the playing surface.
@LostandFoundTravel@LostandFoundTravel sorry for the delay in responding yea get those funky 45s steam cleaned for superior quiet playback for your listening pleasure. enjoy the music
@LostandFoundTravel thats great and what its all about sitting down and taking in our favorite music on vinyl as noise free as possible. enjoy the music and thanks for posting. Mike
@pappysmp i hope you stooped looking because you decided to proceed with steam cleaning. you are right about poor vinyl and it was before i used my steaming method to restore it to a quiet playing great sounding record. it takes a small investment effort and your time to get those poor sounding noisy lps acceptable for serious playback. that poor lp along with all the others thats been steamed with this method provide quiet enjoyable listening for me and everyone else thats been to my home
I have been playing and collecting records for over 20 years and have never seen a record so dirty that it needed to be steam cleaned !! even when a record has surface marks it can still play perfect ! store your records in a clean dry enviroment !Leave the steam cleaning for your shirts !
ive been playing and collecting vinyl for a long long time even longer than yourself. on my journeys ive seen some funky dirty vinyl. the LP does not have to look dirty to have a ton of noise creating partials in the grooves. ive seen what appears to be clean vinyl click pop and snap like sugar snacks. i like to hear music and not the sound of cereal when i enjoy serious listening secessions. in vinyl playback theres no easy its work and steam cleaning vinyl lps is part of it. enjoy the music
@thefarmersson I agree. At 1:27, stltrains mentions 'a slight warping'. Unless it is an illusion caused by light waves passing through the steam, the warping does become apparent as he says it. Steam is, by definition, HOTTER than boiling water. I would never dream of using boiling water on my records, so why use something hotter than boiling water? stltrains, I think you are using enough cleaning techniques in this video to allow you to dispense with the steam.
Why not just use a propane torch and be done with it. Any source of heat that may warp the record RUINS it. PERIOD. You may not be able to notice right away, but it does. But hey, it's clean, right?
to reply to your 1st quote glad Columbus was smart enough to take a chance. 2nd records are produced under high heat also the tracking of your stylus creates up to 500 degrees of heat so you can forget about the steamer heat its no torch btw. 3rd i play lps everyday possible and have logged thousands of hours of vinyl record play time which means i ve played the same steamed lps a lot of times and you know what there just as quiet and sound just as good today than the 1st time i steamed them.
@stltrains Yes they are produced with high heat, and ruined with lower heat. Every time a record is played the quality degrades from friction. Why speed up the process with steam, with heat high enough to warp it?The torch was a joke by the way. You ever stop to think that your ears are getting older with every playback? So the thousands of hours statement doesn't fly. You have convinced yourself and theres no educating you. For me? No thanks, I know better.
for my ears short time use of a steamer to remove oils dirt smoke and who knows what else from those grooves is well worth it. as far as my ears are concerned theres no loss of fidelity. yes my ears are getting older but its a scientific fact that as we get older the perceived loss of hi frequencies is not sensed by our brains that way so as our brain goes we still think we are hearing like when we were younger. bottom line enjoy the music any way possible that sounds good to you
@WalterMelones you are welcome and thank you for posting. Please get back to us with your results. Enjoy the music and those steam cleaned vinyl records.
Not so sure about these intricate vinyl cleaning methods and use fo steam. That's just me. Also, I would assume this is only for extremely dirty vinyl. Not new albums that might have only been played a couple of times.
So, I guess it all depends on a number of factors.
@bugleboy5 hello and thanks for posting. this method is not at all over done for the playback and care of our beloved vinyl records. A steamer, vinyl cleaner and brushes is all it takes to get new used and everything in between playing with a clean surface and with superior sound. Yes new vinyl needs to be cleaned also to remove the release fluids used in production of the record. Vinyl delivers superior sound and when those records are steam cleaned you get superior sound and clean quiet play.
Ok, I have a couple of issues with your method. You're not steaming the record. Your heating the cleaning fluid with steam. Steaming the record requires the steam to come in direct contact with the vinyl. Also, you have this megabuck destat gun. You should destat the record BEFORE lifting it off the VPI platter. Also, vacuuming it dry causes static. Again, you should make proper use your destat gun. Vacuum it dry, destat the LP before lifting it from the VPI. VOILA! No need to dry. Try It!!
hello yes i am steaming the surface of the LP just not getting real close its not necessary to get any closer to the grooves and when finished the quiet playback proves that. I do mention using the DeStat before during and after the cleaning process for beating back static. As you can see i wet vac even then static is a by product. This works for me and others and has been for a few years now but if you are happy using your method and the playback quiet great and good for you. thanks for posting
@SamTomo75 hey yes aint vinyl long playing records the best in sound or what. And if you get those lps steam clean the playback is quiet and the sound is super. thanks for posting and enjoy that music because its the sound that matters right.
thank for the answer to my previous query, just a follow up- have you tried the disc doctor brushes? I ordered these having read they "push" Disc Doctor the fluid better into the grooves than the VPI brush. I am currently using the VPI brush that came with my 16.5
@analogdoc hey yes i have tried the DD brushes. I do like the 17f brush that comes with 16.5 like you mention and i still use it with very good results. Hows steaming working out for your vinyl. enjoy the music and thanks for the post.
What if I have over 5000 records to clean? Will this way of cleaning take me a long time to do? It seems that there are way too many steps in your cleaning technique. Also if you are a DJ, you will never be able to keep up with cleaning your vinyl in between songs. It definitely does the trick in the final results but the way to get there takes way to long. That is unless you are cleaning first pressings of The Beatles Butcher or a white label promo of The Stones first album.
Paneeks if you want to hear all of whats in your records grooves with out snap crackle and pop try my method i dont care how many records you own. When you are siting front and center doing serious listening to your stereo system you want the best playback from your vinyl. If you are using records for DJing who cares if theres noise from dust dirt oils food and who knows what else, kind of hard to stop objects getting in those grooves in large spaces. At home crud can be stoped enjoy the music.
@stltrains I am not a DJ, I am just a 40 year collector to which I started at the age of 7 with 2 cases of vinyl given to me from my cousin who was a popular DJ on WBCN in Boston. I am going to take your steaming technique and work with it on some of my older/non-mint LP's first. Then if all goes well, I will do the same with others. I must say that your album looked pristine when you were done. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I will try to remember to give U an update! Thanks
We have have something in common the love of vinyl. My method works but you may want to try your own ideas and spin off some. I can assure you i use this method on extremely rare Beatles lps and everything else in between new and old. Those steam cleaned lps not only look pristine if they were not abused with misadjustment of stylus and tone arms by there previous owners the LPs will play pristine quiet and deliver musical satisfaction to you. Get back to us with your results and good luck.
ugarmada it sounds like the record your talking about has inner groove distortion caused by neglect or misadjusted tone arm. Once the harm is done there is no way to repair it. I had a super sounding Eagles lp with the same problem. Sorry but you will have to locate another copy of that lp. Hows the steam cleaning working out with your other records. Enjoy the music and thanks for posting.
@stltrains You were definitely right about using distilled water, I used tap water to clean that album with steam and you can hear the junk in the grooves from the tap water. I replaced the album, I just need to get some proper cleaning liquid.
yes using the purest water available is highly recommended even if you vacuum. Some of the liquid will be left on the surface of the LP and what ever impurities that are in the water used will be left in the grooves. The lest of any foreign objects in those grooves equals quieter and better playback for your musical enjoyment. I recommend and use Disk Doctor vinyl record cleaning fluids. I use a Furutech De Stat there other types of static removal tools available. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Wow,..that's a bit complicated, but yes it would def. pay off in CLEAN sound, not music PLUS the "crackle" of a gravel road of finger oils. cat hairs & cigarette ash!
Personally I "wash" my lps, in distilled water, & an lp detergent.
I was not aware you could steam clean,..but after watching, yes I'd say your method is the best. The steam,..& the vacuum is hard to beat.
You can add!
"Steam cleaned lps wont wear out the stylus point near as fast as the dead dust mites etc in grooves do!
RetroCaptain thanks for posting yes any cleaning you can do helps to reduce those crackles and pops. Your way is how i cleaned my vinyl for a long time. Steaming will bring you a quieter playing record and vacuuming will get most of the residue out of the grooves and that is big also for better sound. And you are so right protecting that expensive cartridge with squeaky clean lps is a must. enjoy those great sounding quiet playing vinyl records and the music. Mike
ugarmada good question get a lazy susan cut a piece of non slip material the stuff you put under rugs round the size of an LP Get a small shop vac put a piece of 100% cotton cloth over the 4" attachment, cleaner, brushes and your steamer And from there follow the video but you turn the LS by hand while preforming the procedure You will achieve the same results a super quiet playing record that will deliver musical satisfaction So get your items together and listen to those records squeaky clean.
ugarmada it may seem like a lot of work but in the end its very easy to do and the results are so worth the time and effort. Thanks for the kind words and enjoy the sound of your favorite music with those super clean vinyl records. Mike
O yea its worth it, its not like back breaking manual labor. Maybe several times a year to get clean records to enjoy my favorite music noise free. As of today theres no other medium that can reproduce music like analog playback vinyl or tape. All of the sound it there just like it was reproduced full and wide open not chopped and transformed from one form to another. When the day comes and better playback is available then i will retire my steamer. Until then on with steam cleaning my vinyl
@stltrains well, i dont think steam cleaning is necessary, if youll just wash it with some dish soap and warm water and a sponge should do it, much quicker than this is. plus you should only have to do it once and then use a n anti-static brush before and after every play. that's what i'm doing and i get very little noise
UnchainTheNight1 hello and thanks for your comment. Any wet cleaning is better than not. What the steaming does along with the cleaner and brushing is get down to the bottom of the grooves and remove any and all of the micro dirt, oils, and general funk that gets down there. Then the use of lab grade water as a rinse will then help to remove the residue thats left from the cleaning cycle. Then put the LP in a antistatic sleeve and you should not have to repeat again unless a accident happens.
Would you recommend doing this before ripping a record in a very high quality format? I like to keep my music on my computer, but CD quality isn't enough.
SMWssaamm i would recommend doing this method for your need and all others due to superior playback from removing all of the dirt, grime, oils, crud, release fluid, and all else in those grooves that takes away from quiet playback of your favorite records. I understand your worry when going to the trouble of transferring records to digital. Nothing IMO can beat the sound of analog playback vinyl or tape. Good luck and enjoy the music. Mike
I have seen so many methods for cleaning including wood glue (yeah I thought it was crazy but watch a video on it..it works).
What does this steaming do to the labels? Do you use this for every record or just really dirty ones? (in other words I use everything you do except the steam..at what point would I go "Time to steam"?) Ever use this on a warped record to see if it would flatten?
@cranie4 no worries with labels they dont even get wet. By the time you reach the dead wax the spray does not reach the label. If you use a large mouthed glass or similar can be used to cover the label. I do steam every lp i play used or new. I take longer steaming on those really dingy flea market lps. No steaming will not get a lp flat i wish it could. As you know playing a clean lp is the only way to hear all of whats encoded and steaming will get deeper into the grooves to remove that grunge
@recordjunkie1968 no i would not use steam on shellac discs. Disc Doctor has special cleaner for those records. I have no experience with 78s at all and believe a good web search would be a thought for you. Thanks for checking out my Steam Cleaning Process and good luck with your shellac 78s. Mike
How often do you replace the cleaning wand on your VPI? Sometimes the plush on the cleaning arm wand comes off after a very short time. Aren't you supposed to close the lid on the VPI when it operates? Man, your neighbors must think you are a super clean-freak all the time, huh? HAHAHAHAHHA My downstairs neighbor did!
Strange technique, which I am reluctant to use, but enjoyed your video!
@Marantzguy many thanks for your kind response to the video. I am still using the original felt, i do feel they need to be replaced. I bought replacements from the Disc Dr. No you dont close the lid when using 16.5 RCM and yes it makes as much noise as any home vacuum cleaner. Hoping you are getting lps clean any method it better than none. Enjoy the music
@DoNotObey1 hey its not BS trust me on that. You've seen dirty lps at flea markets, Salvation Army, and others, most of those LPs are not only dirty there mold lased finger printed and who knows what else in those grooves. This method will rid all of those noise makers and also enable your cartridge to give long life. In fact using this method the suspension of your cartridge will go before the stylus goes. So you may want to look into doing this or any other sure fired way of cleaning your lps.
hi man, respect to you for adding this vid, i have searched and searched for a suitable vinyl cleaner as there are so many different versions of both wet and vac cleaners. im afraid however that your cleaner would be far to costly for me,meaning i couldnt be bothered to make your cleaner id rather just buy it. excellent post anyway all the best ....chelsea.
@chelseamassive thanks for the kind words. What i use is called Disc Doctor and after using it for records that sat in 2 weeks of Katrina water i can vouch for it. You can buy it direct or by googleing. Take care get those lps clean and enjoy the music. Mike
hey man great vid! could you post a video on how you did this manually? I don't have access to the kind of setup you have and I've got about 2-3000 platters to clean.
@chupathingy99 thanks for the kind words. manual lp cleaning works very well and its easy. get a lazy susan cut a piece of rug non slip material round to fit. get some disk doctor vinyl lp cleaner and brushes. follow the instructions and clean side one. use the 4 in. attachment from your vacuum put a cotton cloth over it punch a few small holes and vac up the fluid while turning the LZ. use distilled water and rinse vac again clean side 2 and place the LP on a dish rack and take it from there.
Wow, it is a little too much for me. Why don't rely on SACD or DVD-Audio for ultimate audio reproduction? As a bonus, you don't have to steam an SACD.
@kloug2006 yes it does take your time and effort for enjoyment from pure analog vinyl playback. And that key work analog is the reason. As you know digital playback was invented in the late 70s as a way to make life easy for us. What really happened was the removal of some of the sound that is part of the music/recording. If you have ever heard a first class vinyl playback system you would hear for yourself and take the time to enjoy all of the music. Thanks for posting.
@MistaNoize hello and thanks for posting your thoughts. Yes it takes about 8 minutes to do both sides of an LP. Taking those 8 minutes getting that record in squeaking clean condition enables the listener to fully enjoy all that was pressed into that record pop click and noise free for a real quite listening experience. And being that the LP is squeaky clean all the way down to the bottom of the groove your stylus will retrieve all information and last longer. Take the time its well worth it.
@bobert995 yes its about 8 minutes per record. A lot of time and effort but in the end the triple rinse, scrubbing and steaming brings your vinyl closer to the music. Far less noise and more resolution due to the stylus being able to track the very bottom of the grooves delivering all of the music that the record has to give. If your as passionate as me about how the music sounds this is way to go to get your vinyl in first class playback condition. enjoy the music and thanks for the comment.
@bobert995 no need for this kind of response here. If you are not excited about vinyl and how much better it is than digital playback why post. Believe me i am passionate about vinyl playback cause i know how much better is sounds compared to digital. And the first thing you need is a super clean vinyl record and thats what you get when you steam clean those vinyl records. This vinyl passion is big hands on and being so you will become involved and passionate. Enjoy the music MIke
@bobert995 no offense taken i am just very passionate about this subject and hoping i did not offend you. anyone who is playing vinyl must know i am a friend. enjoy those super sounding vinyl records and thanks for taking the time to post here. mike
@stltrains hi man, respect to you for adding this vid, i have searched and searched for a suitable vinyl cleaner as there are so many different versions of both wet and vac cleaners. im afraid however that your cleaner would be far to costly for me,meaning i couldnt be bothered to make your cleaner id rather just buy it. excellent post anyway all the best ....chelsea. by looking at my channel you will indeed see i love vinyl and always will do.
@fabbola ok you will hopefully enjoy the superior sound that vinyl playback delivers. Yes theirs work to do cleaning your vinyl, checking your TTs setting, and getting up to flip the record. Its worth the time and effort because its the music and how it sounds that pleases our ears. Please dont hesitate to ask any questions on cleaning or TT setup. Mike
@analogdoc hello i use the rack for storing the lps i just cleaned until finished. My 16.5 vacuums the record surface dry. If you don't use a vacuum to get the fluid off then placing your records in a rack such as what i have in the video is a good way to dry your lps. And if you place the rack under a A/C vent all the better for faster drying. Good luck on trying my steaming method and enjoy those super clean quite playing records.
@MasterSmiloid hello and sorry for the delay in my response. Yes you can steam 45s as i have done it on many occasion. If your using a vacuum like the 16.5 i use you will need a different vacuum tube made for 45s to get a good suction. Hope that answers your question and enjoy those steam cleaned vinyl records.
@fabbola just because you need to get your records squeaky clean is no reason to not get into vinyl. Vinyl playback has the ability to tailor the sound you get in a number of ways not possible in digital playback because digital is hands off plop and play. Just by the amount of torque put on the cartridge or your VTA adjustment can shape the sound the way you like it. If you have never heard a first class vinyl playback system you are missing what your favorite music can sound like.
@marantz7 you would not know because you haven't tried it. Ive used 16.5 without steaming and yes it will get you a better playing lp but until you steam that dirt and grime out of the grooves you will not hear all thats in those grooves. Ive steamed 100s of records no harm to any another thing you would not know. marantz you dont destroy the vinyl you allow it to get out of the way and let the music play without the pops, clicks and noise on lps that have not been destroyed by poorly set up TTs
@SlimeTron5000 the contact point from the stylus to groove reaches temps in the 300 to 500 degree area. The steam and cleaner that reaches the grooves is not at boiling point any longer and only hot enough to remove any grime dirt oils and foreign mater thats in those grooves.. If you want the best sounding most quite vinyl records give my method a try your ears will thank you for it. enjoy the music and get those records steam cleaned.
@cinema33 i ve tried to locate your part 2 video with out any luck. of all the lps i ve gone threw only one was warped to the point of my arm not being able to track the lp so warped lps are not a big concern. ive seen some of the videos here on utube on the subject and theres a few that look like winners. enjoy the music and those steamed records that deliver a quite sweet playing vinyl record.
@watchitnz yes nothing digital can compare with the wide open full sound of analog vinyl records. unlike digital vinyl records or hands on and time consuming but thats part of the fun. when your sitting down front and center enjoying your effort its most certainly worth it. those steam cleaned lps deliver the sound with quite playback and a stage thats deep and wide with all of the micro details and sounds that were stamped into the record. enjoy the music long live vinyl records.
Hi there STL and all steam cleaning fans. I was wondering if you had any updates to the cleaning solution that you use? I used to use MoFi Super Deep Cleaner / Record Wash but I am almost out of those and am open to suggestions. Do you still use Disc Doctor stuff? Also, for whatever its worth, I steam about 1 inch from the record surface with my McCulloch. I find the close proximity and blasting action helps remove more debris. No warping when done on a VPI!
Hey and sorry for the delay yes i use Disk Doctors Miracle Cleaner at about 75% DD and 25% Distilled water. I m still using my old Perfection steamer and stay 4 ins away from the LP surface. You may not have steamed a lp that does the warp yet. Its only a few far and between. They are the thinnest of all lps and then its only certain music labels. No worries with the warp cause before you reach the end steaming there already back to straight and flat like before. post back with your results.
@xe3tec you are partially right in your short reply to this video. That poor vinyl record is now super clean and quite. Its now giving me musical satisfaction because of its ability to sound great and deliver that sound quietly. Unlike digital vinyl demands hands on time consuming effort. That starts with a clean vinyl record and so far i never give looking for a better apple cart Vinyl Record Cleaning with Steam is hands down the best and safest way to get a clean quite sounding record.
I know how hot that steammachines can be...thats definitely NOT good for the vinyls, if its said to use no water above 30°C then steam is kinda too hot, BUT if u are satisfied then its fine
@ducktailjiver007 well you dont give any reasons why you made your statement please let us know why because making a statement with out any substance is not a statement at all.
Ive cleaned countless vinyl records using this method. Its safe its effective and it rewards the ears with the quietest best playing vinyl records that deliver all thats encoded in those grooves for your musical enjoyment..
enjoy the music and get those records steamed cleaned so you can hear for your self.
@audiotripdjs yes life is easy when you go the digital route no fuss just plop and play. The problem is when you want to hear all of the music your going to play analog records or tape. Wide and deep sound with dynamics not chopped like digital playback. You have to be hands on starting with a super clean vinyl LP. And a well maintained vinyl playback system. If you have not heard a 1st class analog vinyl playback system you have not really heard what music can sound like.
I respect the time and care you are giving the vinyl to preserve it. However I can't get around the temporary warping from the heat. I cannot think that heat to the point of softening and then cooling would not distort the vinyl and grooves to some small degree. Over time the sound MUST degrade. However with no comparison record there's no real way to know if you lost a slight amount of sound each time until it's drastic.
Yes some vinyl records warp at the beginning of the process. If i clean 20 lps 4 or 5 will warp. By the time the steamer gets to the end of the record its back to its original state. Like i mention quite a bit here i have not harmed a LP yet by steaming. I ve played steamed lps i like quite a bit with no loss of sound at all just sweet playback and enjoyment. Music is my passion/love and vinyl records are the front end i use when i m positioned in that sweet spot between the speakers. Mike
@cranie4 You are 100% correct! The sound WILL degrade over time, there is no way around it. Heat is vinyl's enemy, steam or otherwise. Oh, it will be clean alright but the album WILL BE RUINED over time. A high price to pay for a clean record. There are many methods for cleaning one, but this is not the answer.
stitrains, im not knocking what works for you, i just a little leary, the thought of this cleaning method makes me nervous. maybe you can answer some questions, has it ever affected the paper at all? or the ink? i notice that the vacuume does not reach the paper, why? is there a filter on the vacuume, to see the amount of dirt you are lifting? i will be researching this method. thank you.
@CollectorOfMusic The label does not get wet by steaming you stop when the spray gets to the dead wax so the paper and ink stay dry. The vacuum tube was designed not to contact the paper just the wet surface. The VPI 16.5 RCM collects fluids in a holding tank. If you clean a record that is dirty with dust, finger prints and general grime the finished product will amaze you with a super clean surface and a record that will play with better sound and less noise. Many thanks for your interest.
@CollectorOfMusic Hello Collector i am a collector also but my passion is dropping the needle and listening to the vinyl record. And as of now have not found a better way of doing that. By steam cleaning your vinyl records you will get deeper into the music because the vinyl will be cleaned to the very bottom of the groove for the best sound/playback. Also being as clean as possible you will enjoy a super quiet playing LP.
@dimebagdave77 Hello and like i mentioned some record companies vinyl will warp some what as you start from the outside in. As you move to the center of the record you will see the record go back to its flat state. I have yet after a few years of steaming warp a record after using this method of cleaning vinyl records. Dont get the steamer within 4 inches of the record surface when steaming. Let your ears determine how the cleaning process sounds not your eyes.
@stltrains you are right my man! i tried it on a few older L.P.s and it worked great! clean vinyl is very important to me,almost to a fault.this is one of the best ways to clean that i've tried
@dimebagdave77 Good deal Dave theres no doubt that if you get your vinyl squeaky clean the result will be a quiet great playing/sounding vinyl record that will bring satisfaction and enjoyment. Those who sit in front of there speakers for hours on end listening to the best source for music IMO vinyl records reap the benefits of steam cleaned vinyl by getting deeper in to the music.
Hello i believe water with the least amount of containments is beneficial for getting the best playback from our vinyl records. If you spill water and look at the spot after drying you can still see where it was because of impurities in the water. I believe using the best water available for rinsing is smart. It takes time and effort cleaning lps why not use the best water for your trouble and listening pleasure. Enjoy those steam cleaned lps because theres better sound and musical enjoyment.
@SMERGHEED Yes i have compared the sound before and after using this method. You will hear a better sounding more quite playing vinyl record. What you will notice is a transparent clear sounding record and no the highs are not reduced by steam cleaning. Good luck with your records and enjoy the music Mike
Hello did you know that professional estimates for the stylus surface temperature during playback are 300-500 F. The surface of the record does not get the direct 220 degrees when steaming and not even close to the temperatures mentioned above. Steaming only removes the dirt oils and grime that accumulates on the record surface for a much better sounding and playing record. Along with cleaning fluids and medical grade water for rinsing a system for the best in record cleaning. Enjoy the music.
Hey Mike. I just bought a 16.5. So far I'm disappointed. I have records that are nm with the exception of a strange film. Hard to describe. It almost looks like some liquid once splattered across the vinyl from the inside out. I also have some records that have wavy marks on them from where the poly-sleeve stuck to the record for years and somehow residue from the poly sleeve wore off onto the records.
The 16.5 does nothing. Have you ever seen anything like this? Will steaming even help?
@theinhabitant hello your 16.5 can only help clean and vac the fluid from the lps. cant help with the film you describe. You could give steaming and a good vinyl record cleaner like disk doc to get the grunge out it could also help with the stuck parts of the poly sleeve. steaming first to get the loose grit out then a good scrubbing while steaming then vac and steam again to help with rinsing. then a good sterile water rinse. then give the record a play and hopefully your problems are solved.
@bfodrie01 sorry to say steaming will not fix a warped record. theres several audio web sites you could do a warped record repair search and get some ideas on getting your record flat. good luck.
I just got a VPI 16.5 to pair with my McCulloch steamer -- I just use a regular Hunt EDA dry brush for the initial dust removal phase. It helps preserve the life of the vacuum tube if you're like me and only have one (so far).
Do you not use a label protector? I found it hard to not get the label wet when steaming the inner grooves, and using my usual dessert dish was challenging because it moves around too much while steaming/scrubbing. :)
bogglor initially i did the very same thing with a hunt brush. I ve experimented with various ways of getting the front line dirt and dust off the records surface before scrubbing. I highly recommend making a pass steaming the lp and vacuuming first.
i hardly get any water on my labels. you can get a wide mouthed tumbler to cover the label for protection. you dont need to steam the dead wax.
i bought another vac tube from VPI and use it for my final rinse.
Hello ecandle glad that this helped you get better sound from your vinyl records. Like i mentioned in the intro one of the best improvements to this video is making that pass with the steamer before scrubbing and vacuuming do this as a first step it gets all of the dust and small practicals off the record before you scrub them in. Thanks for the kind words Mike
Hello and thanks for posting the steamer is a Perfection and its not available any longer. If theres a Walgreens or Wal Mart in your area theres similar models that will do the job. I believe the model that Walgreens sells has the same nozzle. Which is the perfect attachment for aiming the steam spray. Good luck and let us know your results. Mike
SirFoggy yes the fine hot steam penetrates to the bottom of the records grooves which helps remove debris. Along with brushing and vacuuming up the residue and adding a good rinse cycle delivers a quiet great sounding vinyl lp. Only some manufactures records warp slightly during the steaming of the outside of the lp before you reach the inner grooves all warping is gone. I ve steam cleaned a lot of records and not one has been harmed. Good luck and enjoy the music. Mike
I have 200 old records that are not worth it with the scraches and damaged covers so i use alcohol and distilled water. I added a dash of dawn but i find it leaves a white film on some records. But even when i think i clean them dust gets back on them. I know why records are obsolete. But i love the vinyl albums and the covers. .I cant get rid of the poch sounds in some albums no matter how many times i clean it. I am still trying to find a better way to clean these.
hey dog and thanks for responding. i dont recommend using other than designed cleaning fluids on vinyl lps. if you give my method a try you might find those old records will play quiet and sound better. vinyl playback is a labor of love and a commitment of time and some good old fashioned work. the payoff is the best in sound. analog vinyl playback beats the pants off of digital playback. good luck and enjoy the music. mike
I think your method is the best but i dont think the cost and benefit add up. I will spend the 5 bucks on the small bottle of fluid and try it for a few records to see though,
I believe your investment for vinyl record cleaning fluid is a good choice. By following the instructions you will get good results if the records or not to bad off grime wise. Good luck and enjoy the music. Mike
Hello btwentwo this method has worked for me and others for quiet some time. You will realize the full potential of your vinyl sound wise. Quite, clean for all of the sound your lps deliver. No steaming will not harm your label because the stream/water does not get to the label. If this is a concern in the beginning for you place a large mouthed tumbler over the label. Enjoy the music and thanks for your interest
No i haven't how if that working for you. I vac just after i pass the steamer. Hows those lps sounding now that you are steam cleaning them. Thanks for sharing your ideas and enjoy the music
I have the following fluids for my cleaning: Enzyme , Super Deep and a Rinse. I have different brushes for each but wondered if you had any tips on steaming with my fluids?
Should I steam before or after applying fluid?
For dirty records I will do the 3 step starting with the enzyme cleaner.
paulix congrats. using enzymes means you need to leave it on the surface of the LP and let the enzymes work into the grooves for a amount of time. you could rinse then steam or steam first maybe both, you may need to experiment to find what works better. the important part is getting all of the cleaning fluids out of the LPs grooves.this is where several rinses come in. enjoy those quite playing records.
many thanks for your comments good luck and keep us informed of your progress.
I have been steaming with old records and found that there is definately an improvement in the openess [if that makes sense] of the sound and clarity of everything is improved, although I have found that there can be a underlying continuous surface noise.
Do you have any ideas why?
I thought perhaps I hadn't rinsed enough although I did rinse twice.
I will go back to these at some point and do more rinses i think, like you said it's important to get the cleaning fluids out of the grooves.
BTW, what is steaming the record supposed to accomplish, exactly? If you can see the records warping, that's probably a good indication that you shouldn't be doing this. I honestly thought this video was a joke at first.
Steaming, vinyl record cleaning solution and lab grade water allow cleaning to the very bottom of a records grooves which is necessary to achieve the best playback of vinyl records. For old records that have been neglected with dirt, oils and grime in the grooves to new records with release solutions my method removes these noise making problems. Vinyl records are made of plastic which will give with heat. Using heat to flatten does no harm nor does steaming. Steam cleaning is no joke.
the liquids dont destroy the labels?
anderzom 1 month ago
@anderzom no your labels will be fine. just dont get a heavy dose of liquid on them. overspray is ok if you have a wide mouthed tumbler/glass you can put it over the label if you like. thanks for replying and get those lps steam cleaned for the quietest noise free vinyl records where only the music is heard not snap crackle and pop.
enjoy the music. mike
stltrains 1 month ago
@stltrains any brand and model of steam? that you recomend me buy?
anderzom 1 month ago
@anderzom the steamer i use in the video is discontinued. there newer models now available a web search should work. you want to look for one with a nozzle that will have no more than a 1 inch wide spray. most home steamers have a variety of attachments included. again many thanks for your interest i highly recommend steam cleaning for the quietest in vinyl playback. Mike
stltrains 1 month ago
hi, great video! i have a question, in case i dont have this machine or a vacuum cleaner, what should i do to dry the vinyl inmediately after the steaming process. I was thinking of using a hair dryer perhaps keeping some distance not to overheat the record
Thanks!
1987hernan 1 month ago
1987 its highly recommended to use a vacuum to get the liquid off the vinyl. even though we use the best ultra purified water theres still residue left behind by drying on its own. before i had my vpi i used a small shop vac with a small 4 inch attachment covered with a 100% cotton cloth on a lazy susan to turn the lp that works just fine. i cant comment on using micro fiber or any other type cloth because ive never used that method for drying. i would say no to the hair dryer to. good luck
stltrains 1 month ago
hello yes no better way to get all of the music than listening to vinyl playback. to my ears nothing else tops vinyl. what i have in the bottles is record cleaning solution i use disk doctors miracle cleaner and the other bottle has lab grade water for my triple rinse. very important to add a small amount of cleaner to your rinse water which works to remove all of the rinse water like a release agent does. thanks for responding get those records steam cleaned and enjoy super quiet playback. Mike
stltrains 1 month ago
hello,I'm a record person too...and I think the way you clean records is pretty cool
what do you have at the bottles?
smolansk 1 month ago
Hi, I have cleaned over 100 records now using your method with steam. It works amazingly good.
Like you said in your video, none of the records I cleaned stayed warped after the cleaning process. After cleaning, the vinyl looks impressively shiny and it sounds great. I have even cleaned records I wanted to throw, because the looked THAT bad, and I was surprised how good they sounded at the end. Dear "analogue guy" ;-) I think you deserve an award for putting this video on the Net !!
Thanks, JR
pulsar98 2 months ago 2
JR glad to hear your having positive results Like myself your description mirrors my own It takes effort time and a small investment but in the end i still have not found a better way to achieve superior playback that this steam cleaning method accomplishes I agree with your comment about warping and that still holds true today after cleaning 1000s no harm my vinyl at all Just the best sounding quietest play back To bad steaming doesn't get warps out of our pre cleaned vinyl we cant have it all
stltrains 2 months ago
no! Not Wish You Were Here!! D:
RICKROLLBLENDER 3 months ago
@RICKROLLBLENDER hello, not sure what your getting at. i can assure you that if you want to hear your precious vinyl sound better than ever before get a steamer take the time and use this method. then get in your center listening seat and enjoy your collection like never before. you will hear quite vinyl with the music coming from that black background you heard about. enjoy the music Mike
stltrains 3 months ago
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recordmaster123 4 months ago
oh and BTW, for people concerned about heat - believe it or not a needle running along a record groove gets so hot it actually melts the vinyl as it passes the undulations that create the sound. The groove wall becomes temporarily flexible and then returns to its original shape. Which is why a vinyl record can withstand so many plays.
filtecuk 8 months ago
filtecuk hello and sorry for the delay in my replying. ive mentioned this in earlier posts as others have commented on how disastrous using steam is for vinyl with knowing how lps are made and the heat process involved. and as you mention normal playback has more heat than the temperature of steam. as ive mentioned that 220 degree heat does not reach the record surface with the steamer tip 4 to 8 inches away from the lps grooves. vinyl lps are tough and can handle the steaming process with ease
stltrains 8 months ago
Hello Analogue Record Person! I bet that works really well - I am currently working through my LPs (1975 - 1990 mostly) and am getting amazing results just using a manual 2 x wash & 2 x rinse technique with a carbon fibre brush, squezy and a rinse agent. Your LPs must sound great after this. The principle is to dislodge the atmospheric grease and dust that accumulates in the groove over the years, and flush it out. Result - clear bass, clear stereo image, and you get your treble back!
filtecuk 8 months ago
yes its the best method ive used and i listen to lps daily not having the snap crackle and pop and letting the music shine is such a big part of my going back to vinyl playback as the main front end for my listening sessions. yes before steaming i used a manual method with good results then vpi and things got quieter yet. then i tried steaming and have not looked back. thanks for posting and enjoy your vinyl records. the music is the reason for the time effort and work that clean lps deliver
stltrains 8 months ago
I wonder if this method can unwarp your records. say you have badly warped vinyl. Maybe this would fix those?
memorysticky 9 months ago 2
@memorysticky sorry to say this does not work for getting warps out of your lps the vinyl does not get hot enough. On hot sunny days i use marble 12X12 sqs. in a sandwich with an lp in the sun. you have to be careful and keep checking this does work for me getting those bad warps out of my lps for better playback.
i listen to lps just about everyday and having a flat squeaky clean album sure makes my sessions in front of my speakers a good time. thanks for posting and enjoy the music. Mike
stltrains 9 months ago
Oh my dear God in heaven above! That has just GOT to do something bad to the grooves! How hot is that steam?
ShadeyBladey 9 months ago
@ShadeyBladey just the opposite happens using steam to get grease, grime, dirt, oils, release compounds and everything else that gets in those grooves and causes noise to disrupt our enjoyment of the music. You dont leave the steam in one place or get to close so no harm is done only cleaning for superior sound. Ive been doing this for quiet awhile now and still for my ears the best way to get my lps clean for hours of listening to quite sweet playing vinyl. enjoy the music Mike
stltrains 9 months ago
@stltrains Wow, you serious, man? You sure this isn't some hoax by a digital CD freak to get us all to melt our 40-year old album collection? When I saw that steam I just freaked. Then the record looks like it's warping and the light through the steam looks like the whole things caught fire. I'm a gibbering wreck but can't afford the Monk.
ShadeyBladey 9 months ago
@ShadeyBladey No not at all Shadey this is a time tested way of listing to your lps music and not the snap crackle and pop that is quiet annoying. I dont even have my cd player hooked up. Its HD radio for back ground music and vinyl for serious front and center music listening. When i tell you a keith monks wont get your lps any cleaner then my method i am serious. indirect steam only cleans the grooves not melt them. good luck with your collection and have a good one Mike
stltrains 9 months ago
I agree with thefarmersson ,if your LP's are in such poor condition that you feel the need to power steam them I think its time to put them in the bin .I have records i bought in the 80's and they are still mint . I have seen some LP's over the years and wondered how they got in such bad shape ,now I know why ,This guy looks so hap hazard I cant imagine what steam is doing to the lable .
shitehawkish 11 months ago
shitehawkish if you are happy with what you are spending your time to listen to i am with you because for no other reason do i try so hard to accomplish the best playback and sound is to enjoy my music listening sessions. yes if you take care of your prized records from day 1 and are happy with what you are hearing great. when you find that 1 and its been $%#@up try a good steam cleaning for hopefully quiet playback. as for your last comment dont put steam on the label just the playing surface.
stltrains 11 months ago
@shitehawkish * '80s
ajuk1 9 months ago
Love it. I've got some funky 45s I want to get too...
LostandFoundTravel 1 year ago
@LostandFoundTravel @LostandFoundTravel sorry for the delay in responding yea get those funky 45s steam cleaned for superior quiet playback for your listening pleasure. enjoy the music
stltrains 11 months ago
@stltrains The 'ol Vic has been slinging some sweet tunes lately.
LostandFoundTravel 11 months ago
@LostandFoundTravel thats great and what its all about sitting down and taking in our favorite music on vinyl as noise free as possible. enjoy the music and thanks for posting. Mike
stltrains 11 months ago
I was reading the comment section when suddenly BROOMMMM&@*^%@#
... i stopped the video.........Poor vinil record!!
pappysmp 1 year ago
@pappysmp i hope you stooped looking because you decided to proceed with steam cleaning. you are right about poor vinyl and it was before i used my steaming method to restore it to a quiet playing great sounding record. it takes a small investment effort and your time to get those poor sounding noisy lps acceptable for serious playback. that poor lp along with all the others thats been steamed with this method provide quiet enjoyable listening for me and everyone else thats been to my home
stltrains 1 year ago
I have been playing and collecting records for over 20 years and have never seen a record so dirty that it needed to be steam cleaned !! even when a record has surface marks it can still play perfect ! store your records in a clean dry enviroment !Leave the steam cleaning for your shirts !
thefarmersson 1 year ago 2
ive been playing and collecting vinyl for a long long time even longer than yourself. on my journeys ive seen some funky dirty vinyl. the LP does not have to look dirty to have a ton of noise creating partials in the grooves. ive seen what appears to be clean vinyl click pop and snap like sugar snacks. i like to hear music and not the sound of cereal when i enjoy serious listening secessions. in vinyl playback theres no easy its work and steam cleaning vinyl lps is part of it. enjoy the music
stltrains 1 year ago
@thefarmersson I agree. At 1:27, stltrains mentions 'a slight warping'. Unless it is an illusion caused by light waves passing through the steam, the warping does become apparent as he says it. Steam is, by definition, HOTTER than boiling water. I would never dream of using boiling water on my records, so why use something hotter than boiling water? stltrains, I think you are using enough cleaning techniques in this video to allow you to dispense with the steam.
outofthegreenmist 11 months ago
Why not just use a propane torch and be done with it. Any source of heat that may warp the record RUINS it. PERIOD. You may not be able to notice right away, but it does. But hey, it's clean, right?
lukedoc12345 1 year ago
to reply to your 1st quote glad Columbus was smart enough to take a chance. 2nd records are produced under high heat also the tracking of your stylus creates up to 500 degrees of heat so you can forget about the steamer heat its no torch btw. 3rd i play lps everyday possible and have logged thousands of hours of vinyl record play time which means i ve played the same steamed lps a lot of times and you know what there just as quiet and sound just as good today than the 1st time i steamed them.
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains Yes they are produced with high heat, and ruined with lower heat. Every time a record is played the quality degrades from friction. Why speed up the process with steam, with heat high enough to warp it?The torch was a joke by the way. You ever stop to think that your ears are getting older with every playback? So the thousands of hours statement doesn't fly. You have convinced yourself and theres no educating you. For me? No thanks, I know better.
lukedoc12345 1 year ago
for my ears short time use of a steamer to remove oils dirt smoke and who knows what else from those grooves is well worth it. as far as my ears are concerned theres no loss of fidelity. yes my ears are getting older but its a scientific fact that as we get older the perceived loss of hi frequencies is not sensed by our brains that way so as our brain goes we still think we are hearing like when we were younger. bottom line enjoy the music any way possible that sounds good to you
thanks mike.
stltrains 1 year ago
many thanks mate!
WalterMelones 1 year ago
@WalterMelones you are welcome and thank you for posting. Please get back to us with your results. Enjoy the music and those steam cleaned vinyl records.
stltrains 1 year ago
Not so sure about these intricate vinyl cleaning methods and use fo steam. That's just me. Also, I would assume this is only for extremely dirty vinyl. Not new albums that might have only been played a couple of times.
So, I guess it all depends on a number of factors.
bugleboy5 1 year ago
@bugleboy5 hello and thanks for posting. this method is not at all over done for the playback and care of our beloved vinyl records. A steamer, vinyl cleaner and brushes is all it takes to get new used and everything in between playing with a clean surface and with superior sound. Yes new vinyl needs to be cleaned also to remove the release fluids used in production of the record. Vinyl delivers superior sound and when those records are steam cleaned you get superior sound and clean quiet play.
stltrains 1 year ago
Ok, I have a couple of issues with your method. You're not steaming the record. Your heating the cleaning fluid with steam. Steaming the record requires the steam to come in direct contact with the vinyl. Also, you have this megabuck destat gun. You should destat the record BEFORE lifting it off the VPI platter. Also, vacuuming it dry causes static. Again, you should make proper use your destat gun. Vacuum it dry, destat the LP before lifting it from the VPI. VOILA! No need to dry. Try It!!
riggernewt 1 year ago
hello yes i am steaming the surface of the LP just not getting real close its not necessary to get any closer to the grooves and when finished the quiet playback proves that. I do mention using the DeStat before during and after the cleaning process for beating back static. As you can see i wet vac even then static is a by product. This works for me and others and has been for a few years now but if you are happy using your method and the playback quiet great and good for you. thanks for posting
stltrains 1 year ago
becausesoundmatters [dot ] com
Vinyl!!
SamTomo75 1 year ago
@SamTomo75 hey yes aint vinyl long playing records the best in sound or what. And if you get those lps steam clean the playback is quiet and the sound is super. thanks for posting and enjoy that music because its the sound that matters right.
stltrains 1 year ago
thank for the answer to my previous query, just a follow up- have you tried the disc doctor brushes? I ordered these having read they "push" Disc Doctor the fluid better into the grooves than the VPI brush. I am currently using the VPI brush that came with my 16.5
analogdoc 1 year ago
@analogdoc hey yes i have tried the DD brushes. I do like the 17f brush that comes with 16.5 like you mention and i still use it with very good results. Hows steaming working out for your vinyl. enjoy the music and thanks for the post.
stltrains 1 year ago
What if I have over 5000 records to clean? Will this way of cleaning take me a long time to do? It seems that there are way too many steps in your cleaning technique. Also if you are a DJ, you will never be able to keep up with cleaning your vinyl in between songs. It definitely does the trick in the final results but the way to get there takes way to long. That is unless you are cleaning first pressings of The Beatles Butcher or a white label promo of The Stones first album.
Paneeks1960 1 year ago
Paneeks if you want to hear all of whats in your records grooves with out snap crackle and pop try my method i dont care how many records you own. When you are siting front and center doing serious listening to your stereo system you want the best playback from your vinyl. If you are using records for DJing who cares if theres noise from dust dirt oils food and who knows what else, kind of hard to stop objects getting in those grooves in large spaces. At home crud can be stoped enjoy the music.
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains I am not a DJ, I am just a 40 year collector to which I started at the age of 7 with 2 cases of vinyl given to me from my cousin who was a popular DJ on WBCN in Boston. I am going to take your steaming technique and work with it on some of my older/non-mint LP's first. Then if all goes well, I will do the same with others. I must say that your album looked pristine when you were done. Thanks again for taking the time to respond. I will try to remember to give U an update! Thanks
Paneeks1960 1 year ago
We have have something in common the love of vinyl. My method works but you may want to try your own ideas and spin off some. I can assure you i use this method on extremely rare Beatles lps and everything else in between new and old. Those steam cleaned lps not only look pristine if they were not abused with misadjustment of stylus and tone arms by there previous owners the LPs will play pristine quiet and deliver musical satisfaction to you. Get back to us with your results and good luck.
stltrains 1 year ago
I have this one record that sounds like it has dirt in the grooves even though I have cleaned it, is there a fix for this?
ugarmada 1 year ago
ugarmada it sounds like the record your talking about has inner groove distortion caused by neglect or misadjusted tone arm. Once the harm is done there is no way to repair it. I had a super sounding Eagles lp with the same problem. Sorry but you will have to locate another copy of that lp. Hows the steam cleaning working out with your other records. Enjoy the music and thanks for posting.
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains You were definitely right about using distilled water, I used tap water to clean that album with steam and you can hear the junk in the grooves from the tap water. I replaced the album, I just need to get some proper cleaning liquid.
I need one of those static things too.
ugarmada 1 year ago
yes using the purest water available is highly recommended even if you vacuum. Some of the liquid will be left on the surface of the LP and what ever impurities that are in the water used will be left in the grooves. The lest of any foreign objects in those grooves equals quieter and better playback for your musical enjoyment. I recommend and use Disk Doctor vinyl record cleaning fluids. I use a Furutech De Stat there other types of static removal tools available. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
stltrains 1 year ago
Good Day,
Wow,..that's a bit complicated, but yes it would def. pay off in CLEAN sound, not music PLUS the "crackle" of a gravel road of finger oils. cat hairs & cigarette ash!
Personally I "wash" my lps, in distilled water, & an lp detergent.
I was not aware you could steam clean,..but after watching, yes I'd say your method is the best. The steam,..& the vacuum is hard to beat.
You can add!
"Steam cleaned lps wont wear out the stylus point near as fast as the dead dust mites etc in grooves do!
RetroCaptain 1 year ago
RetroCaptain thanks for posting yes any cleaning you can do helps to reduce those crackles and pops. Your way is how i cleaned my vinyl for a long time. Steaming will bring you a quieter playing record and vacuuming will get most of the residue out of the grooves and that is big also for better sound. And you are so right protecting that expensive cartridge with squeaky clean lps is a must. enjoy those great sounding quiet playing vinyl records and the music. Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
How did you do this manually, what steps did you take before you purchased the record cleaning machine?
ugarmada 1 year ago 3
ugarmada good question get a lazy susan cut a piece of non slip material the stuff you put under rugs round the size of an LP Get a small shop vac put a piece of 100% cotton cloth over the 4" attachment, cleaner, brushes and your steamer And from there follow the video but you turn the LS by hand while preforming the procedure You will achieve the same results a super quiet playing record that will deliver musical satisfaction So get your items together and listen to those records squeaky clean.
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains Awesome! I'll try it, thanks man!
ugarmada 1 year ago
ugarmada it may seem like a lot of work but in the end its very easy to do and the results are so worth the time and effort. Thanks for the kind words and enjoy the sound of your favorite music with those super clean vinyl records. Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
way overkill. when you do all that its not even worth pulling the records out anymore
my solution is simple cleaning with the intent to replace things because there is no avoiding it
UnchainTheNight1 1 year ago
O yea its worth it, its not like back breaking manual labor. Maybe several times a year to get clean records to enjoy my favorite music noise free. As of today theres no other medium that can reproduce music like analog playback vinyl or tape. All of the sound it there just like it was reproduced full and wide open not chopped and transformed from one form to another. When the day comes and better playback is available then i will retire my steamer. Until then on with steam cleaning my vinyl
stltrains 1 year ago 2
@stltrains well, i dont think steam cleaning is necessary, if youll just wash it with some dish soap and warm water and a sponge should do it, much quicker than this is. plus you should only have to do it once and then use a n anti-static brush before and after every play. that's what i'm doing and i get very little noise
UnchainTheNight1 1 year ago
UnchainTheNight1 hello and thanks for your comment. Any wet cleaning is better than not. What the steaming does along with the cleaner and brushing is get down to the bottom of the grooves and remove any and all of the micro dirt, oils, and general funk that gets down there. Then the use of lab grade water as a rinse will then help to remove the residue thats left from the cleaning cycle. Then put the LP in a antistatic sleeve and you should not have to repeat again unless a accident happens.
stltrains 1 year ago
Would you recommend doing this before ripping a record in a very high quality format? I like to keep my music on my computer, but CD quality isn't enough.
SMWssaamm 1 year ago 2
SMWssaamm i would recommend doing this method for your need and all others due to superior playback from removing all of the dirt, grime, oils, crud, release fluid, and all else in those grooves that takes away from quiet playback of your favorite records. I understand your worry when going to the trouble of transferring records to digital. Nothing IMO can beat the sound of analog playback vinyl or tape. Good luck and enjoy the music. Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
I have seen so many methods for cleaning including wood glue (yeah I thought it was crazy but watch a video on it..it works).
What does this steaming do to the labels? Do you use this for every record or just really dirty ones? (in other words I use everything you do except the steam..at what point would I go "Time to steam"?) Ever use this on a warped record to see if it would flatten?
cranie4 1 year ago 2
@cranie4 no worries with labels they dont even get wet. By the time you reach the dead wax the spray does not reach the label. If you use a large mouthed glass or similar can be used to cover the label. I do steam every lp i play used or new. I take longer steaming on those really dingy flea market lps. No steaming will not get a lp flat i wish it could. As you know playing a clean lp is the only way to hear all of whats encoded and steaming will get deeper into the grooves to remove that grunge
stltrains 1 year ago
Hey Mike, mine name is Mike too. Where'd you get the fancy vinyl dryer at the end of your video?
masterultima 1 year ago
@recordjunkie1968 no i would not use steam on shellac discs. Disc Doctor has special cleaner for those records. I have no experience with 78s at all and believe a good web search would be a thought for you. Thanks for checking out my Steam Cleaning Process and good luck with your shellac 78s. Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
How often do you replace the cleaning wand on your VPI? Sometimes the plush on the cleaning arm wand comes off after a very short time. Aren't you supposed to close the lid on the VPI when it operates? Man, your neighbors must think you are a super clean-freak all the time, huh? HAHAHAHAHHA My downstairs neighbor did!
Strange technique, which I am reluctant to use, but enjoyed your video!
Marantzguy 1 year ago
@Marantzguy many thanks for your kind response to the video. I am still using the original felt, i do feel they need to be replaced. I bought replacements from the Disc Dr. No you dont close the lid when using 16.5 RCM and yes it makes as much noise as any home vacuum cleaner. Hoping you are getting lps clean any method it better than none. Enjoy the music
stltrains 1 year ago
I would NEVER steam records. A really bad idea. You have all you need with Disc Doctor and Ionised water. THUMB definitley down.
eulipious 1 year ago
@DoNotObey1 hey its not BS trust me on that. You've seen dirty lps at flea markets, Salvation Army, and others, most of those LPs are not only dirty there mold lased finger printed and who knows what else in those grooves. This method will rid all of those noise makers and also enable your cartridge to give long life. In fact using this method the suspension of your cartridge will go before the stylus goes. So you may want to look into doing this or any other sure fired way of cleaning your lps.
stltrains 1 year ago
hi man, respect to you for adding this vid, i have searched and searched for a suitable vinyl cleaner as there are so many different versions of both wet and vac cleaners. im afraid however that your cleaner would be far to costly for me,meaning i couldnt be bothered to make your cleaner id rather just buy it. excellent post anyway all the best ....chelsea.
chelseamassive 1 year ago
@chelseamassive thanks for the kind words. What i use is called Disc Doctor and after using it for records that sat in 2 weeks of Katrina water i can vouch for it. You can buy it direct or by googleing. Take care get those lps clean and enjoy the music. Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
hey man great vid! could you post a video on how you did this manually? I don't have access to the kind of setup you have and I've got about 2-3000 platters to clean.
chupathingy99 1 year ago
@chupathingy99 thanks for the kind words. manual lp cleaning works very well and its easy. get a lazy susan cut a piece of rug non slip material round to fit. get some disk doctor vinyl lp cleaner and brushes. follow the instructions and clean side one. use the 4 in. attachment from your vacuum put a cotton cloth over it punch a few small holes and vac up the fluid while turning the LZ. use distilled water and rinse vac again clean side 2 and place the LP on a dish rack and take it from there.
stltrains 1 year ago
Wow, it is a little too much for me. Why don't rely on SACD or DVD-Audio for ultimate audio reproduction? As a bonus, you don't have to steam an SACD.
kloug2006 1 year ago
@kloug2006 yes it does take your time and effort for enjoyment from pure analog vinyl playback. And that key work analog is the reason. As you know digital playback was invented in the late 70s as a way to make life easy for us. What really happened was the removal of some of the sound that is part of the music/recording. If you have ever heard a first class vinyl playback system you would hear for yourself and take the time to enjoy all of the music. Thanks for posting.
stltrains 1 year ago
takes way to long
MistaNoize 1 year ago 2
@MistaNoize hello and thanks for posting your thoughts. Yes it takes about 8 minutes to do both sides of an LP. Taking those 8 minutes getting that record in squeaking clean condition enables the listener to fully enjoy all that was pressed into that record pop click and noise free for a real quite listening experience. And being that the LP is squeaky clean all the way down to the bottom of the groove your stylus will retrieve all information and last longer. Take the time its well worth it.
stltrains 1 year ago
that just seems like overkill..im sorry.
bobert995 1 year ago
@bobert995 yes its about 8 minutes per record. A lot of time and effort but in the end the triple rinse, scrubbing and steaming brings your vinyl closer to the music. Far less noise and more resolution due to the stylus being able to track the very bottom of the grooves delivering all of the music that the record has to give. If your as passionate as me about how the music sounds this is way to go to get your vinyl in first class playback condition. enjoy the music and thanks for the comment.
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains geez...calm down.ok.
bobert995 1 year ago
@bobert995 no need for this kind of response here. If you are not excited about vinyl and how much better it is than digital playback why post. Believe me i am passionate about vinyl playback cause i know how much better is sounds compared to digital. And the first thing you need is a super clean vinyl record and thats what you get when you steam clean those vinyl records. This vinyl passion is big hands on and being so you will become involved and passionate. Enjoy the music MIke
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains i didnt do anything. I like vinyl too.I apoligize if I offended you or something.
bobert995 1 year ago
@bobert995 no offense taken i am just very passionate about this subject and hoping i did not offend you. anyone who is playing vinyl must know i am a friend. enjoy those super sounding vinyl records and thanks for taking the time to post here. mike
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains hi man, respect to you for adding this vid, i have searched and searched for a suitable vinyl cleaner as there are so many different versions of both wet and vac cleaners. im afraid however that your cleaner would be far to costly for me,meaning i couldnt be bothered to make your cleaner id rather just buy it. excellent post anyway all the best ....chelsea. by looking at my channel you will indeed see i love vinyl and always will do.
chelseamassive 1 year ago
@stltrains ACTUALLY...I recently went out and purchased a turntable and some vinyl.
fabbola 1 year ago
@fabbola ok you will hopefully enjoy the superior sound that vinyl playback delivers. Yes theirs work to do cleaning your vinyl, checking your TTs setting, and getting up to flip the record. Its worth the time and effort because its the music and how it sounds that pleases our ears. Please dont hesitate to ask any questions on cleaning or TT setup. Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
Great video. How long do you generally need to leave the record drying in the rack for before placing it in an inner sleeve? Cheers!
analogdoc 1 year ago 3
@analogdoc hello i use the rack for storing the lps i just cleaned until finished. My 16.5 vacuums the record surface dry. If you don't use a vacuum to get the fluid off then placing your records in a rack such as what i have in the video is a good way to dry your lps. And if you place the rack under a A/C vent all the better for faster drying. Good luck on trying my steaming method and enjoy those super clean quite playing records.
stltrains 1 year ago
Can 45rpm records be safely steamed?
MasterSmiloid 1 year ago
@MasterSmiloid hello and sorry for the delay in my response. Yes you can steam 45s as i have done it on many occasion. If your using a vacuum like the 16.5 i use you will need a different vacuum tube made for 45s to get a good suction. Hope that answers your question and enjoy those steam cleaned vinyl records.
stltrains 1 year ago
Comment removed
MasterSmiloid 1 year ago
I have just made up my mind not to get into vinyl.
fabbola 1 year ago 2
@fabbola just because you need to get your records squeaky clean is no reason to not get into vinyl. Vinyl playback has the ability to tailor the sound you get in a number of ways not possible in digital playback because digital is hands off plop and play. Just by the amount of torque put on the cartridge or your VTA adjustment can shape the sound the way you like it. If you have never heard a first class vinyl playback system you are missing what your favorite music can sound like.
stltrains 1 year ago
No reason to steam records.. bad bad idea. this VPI does the job no need for this
you will destroy the vinyl
marantz7 1 year ago
@marantz7 you would not know because you haven't tried it. Ive used 16.5 without steaming and yes it will get you a better playing lp but until you steam that dirt and grime out of the grooves you will not hear all thats in those grooves. Ive steamed 100s of records no harm to any another thing you would not know. marantz you dont destroy the vinyl you allow it to get out of the way and let the music play without the pops, clicks and noise on lps that have not been destroyed by poorly set up TTs
stltrains 1 year ago
@SlimeTron5000 the contact point from the stylus to groove reaches temps in the 300 to 500 degree area. The steam and cleaner that reaches the grooves is not at boiling point any longer and only hot enough to remove any grime dirt oils and foreign mater thats in those grooves.. If you want the best sounding most quite vinyl records give my method a try your ears will thank you for it. enjoy the music and get those records steam cleaned.
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains The only source I can find on the Internet is Hydrogenaudio wiki.
SlimeTron5000 1 year ago
@cinema33 i ve tried to locate your part 2 video with out any luck. of all the lps i ve gone threw only one was warped to the point of my arm not being able to track the lp so warped lps are not a big concern. ive seen some of the videos here on utube on the subject and theres a few that look like winners. enjoy the music and those steamed records that deliver a quite sweet playing vinyl record.
stltrains 1 year ago
Vinyl ROCKS! Forget CDs.
watchitnz 1 year ago
@watchitnz yes nothing digital can compare with the wide open full sound of analog vinyl records. unlike digital vinyl records or hands on and time consuming but thats part of the fun. when your sitting down front and center enjoying your effort its most certainly worth it. those steam cleaned lps deliver the sound with quite playback and a stage thats deep and wide with all of the micro details and sounds that were stamped into the record. enjoy the music long live vinyl records.
stltrains 1 year ago
Hi there STL and all steam cleaning fans. I was wondering if you had any updates to the cleaning solution that you use? I used to use MoFi Super Deep Cleaner / Record Wash but I am almost out of those and am open to suggestions. Do you still use Disc Doctor stuff? Also, for whatever its worth, I steam about 1 inch from the record surface with my McCulloch. I find the close proximity and blasting action helps remove more debris. No warping when done on a VPI!
bogglor 1 year ago
Hey and sorry for the delay yes i use Disk Doctors Miracle Cleaner at about 75% DD and 25% Distilled water. I m still using my old Perfection steamer and stay 4 ins away from the LP surface. You may not have steamed a lp that does the warp yet. Its only a few far and between. They are the thinnest of all lps and then its only certain music labels. No worries with the warp cause before you reach the end steaming there already back to straight and flat like before. post back with your results.
stltrains 1 year ago
@xe3tec you are partially right in your short reply to this video. That poor vinyl record is now super clean and quite. Its now giving me musical satisfaction because of its ability to sound great and deliver that sound quietly. Unlike digital vinyl demands hands on time consuming effort. That starts with a clean vinyl record and so far i never give looking for a better apple cart Vinyl Record Cleaning with Steam is hands down the best and safest way to get a clean quite sounding record.
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains
I know how hot that steammachines can be...thats definitely NOT good for the vinyls, if its said to use no water above 30°C then steam is kinda too hot, BUT if u are satisfied then its fine
xe3tec 1 year ago
Do NOT clean your records like this!!!
ducktailjiver007 1 year ago
@ducktailjiver007 well you dont give any reasons why you made your statement please let us know why because making a statement with out any substance is not a statement at all.
Ive cleaned countless vinyl records using this method. Its safe its effective and it rewards the ears with the quietest best playing vinyl records that deliver all thats encoded in those grooves for your musical enjoyment..
enjoy the music and get those records steamed cleaned so you can hear for your self.
stltrains 1 year ago
MY solution.
buy cds/wav/mp3
audiotripdjs 1 year ago
@audiotripdjs yes life is easy when you go the digital route no fuss just plop and play. The problem is when you want to hear all of the music your going to play analog records or tape. Wide and deep sound with dynamics not chopped like digital playback. You have to be hands on starting with a super clean vinyl LP. And a well maintained vinyl playback system. If you have not heard a 1st class analog vinyl playback system you have not really heard what music can sound like.
thanks for posting
stltrains 1 year ago
I respect the time and care you are giving the vinyl to preserve it. However I can't get around the temporary warping from the heat. I cannot think that heat to the point of softening and then cooling would not distort the vinyl and grooves to some small degree. Over time the sound MUST degrade. However with no comparison record there's no real way to know if you lost a slight amount of sound each time until it's drastic.
cranie4 1 year ago 2
Yes some vinyl records warp at the beginning of the process. If i clean 20 lps 4 or 5 will warp. By the time the steamer gets to the end of the record its back to its original state. Like i mention quite a bit here i have not harmed a LP yet by steaming. I ve played steamed lps i like quite a bit with no loss of sound at all just sweet playback and enjoyment. Music is my passion/love and vinyl records are the front end i use when i m positioned in that sweet spot between the speakers. Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
@cranie4 You are 100% correct! The sound WILL degrade over time, there is no way around it. Heat is vinyl's enemy, steam or otherwise. Oh, it will be clean alright but the album WILL BE RUINED over time. A high price to pay for a clean record. There are many methods for cleaning one, but this is not the answer.
Thank you for posting.
lukedoc12345 1 year ago
stitrains, im not knocking what works for you, i just a little leary, the thought of this cleaning method makes me nervous. maybe you can answer some questions, has it ever affected the paper at all? or the ink? i notice that the vacuume does not reach the paper, why? is there a filter on the vacuume, to see the amount of dirt you are lifting? i will be researching this method. thank you.
CollectorOfMusic 1 year ago 2
@CollectorOfMusic The label does not get wet by steaming you stop when the spray gets to the dead wax so the paper and ink stay dry. The vacuum tube was designed not to contact the paper just the wet surface. The VPI 16.5 RCM collects fluids in a holding tank. If you clean a record that is dirty with dust, finger prints and general grime the finished product will amaze you with a super clean surface and a record that will play with better sound and less noise. Many thanks for your interest.
stltrains 1 year ago
Comment removed
CollectorOfMusic 1 year ago
@CollectorOfMusic Hello Collector i am a collector also but my passion is dropping the needle and listening to the vinyl record. And as of now have not found a better way of doing that. By steam cleaning your vinyl records you will get deeper into the music because the vinyl will be cleaned to the very bottom of the groove for the best sound/playback. Also being as clean as possible you will enjoy a super quiet playing LP.
Enjoy the Music and that collection of records
Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
it really freaks me out when it starts warping! fuck that
dimebagdave77 1 year ago
@dimebagdave77 Hello and like i mentioned some record companies vinyl will warp some what as you start from the outside in. As you move to the center of the record you will see the record go back to its flat state. I have yet after a few years of steaming warp a record after using this method of cleaning vinyl records. Dont get the steamer within 4 inches of the record surface when steaming. Let your ears determine how the cleaning process sounds not your eyes.
stltrains 1 year ago
@stltrains you are right my man! i tried it on a few older L.P.s and it worked great! clean vinyl is very important to me,almost to a fault.this is one of the best ways to clean that i've tried
dimebagdave77 1 year ago
@dimebagdave77 Good deal Dave theres no doubt that if you get your vinyl squeaky clean the result will be a quiet great playing/sounding vinyl record that will bring satisfaction and enjoyment. Those who sit in front of there speakers for hours on end listening to the best source for music IMO vinyl records reap the benefits of steam cleaned vinyl by getting deeper in to the music.
enjoy the music
Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
Thank you for sharing. Do you think that the special water in the final step is really necessary? Will ordinary distilled not do?
TSWisla1 1 year ago 2
Hello i believe water with the least amount of containments is beneficial for getting the best playback from our vinyl records. If you spill water and look at the spot after drying you can still see where it was because of impurities in the water. I believe using the best water available for rinsing is smart. It takes time and effort cleaning lps why not use the best water for your trouble and listening pleasure. Enjoy those steam cleaned lps because theres better sound and musical enjoyment.
stltrains 1 year ago
have you compared records before and after for sound quality???? does this cleaning method take the highs off the music????
SMERGHEED 1 year ago
@SMERGHEED Yes i have compared the sound before and after using this method. You will hear a better sounding more quite playing vinyl record. What you will notice is a transparent clear sounding record and no the highs are not reduced by steam cleaning. Good luck with your records and enjoy the music Mike
stltrains 1 year ago
Hello did you know that professional estimates for the stylus surface temperature during playback are 300-500 F. The surface of the record does not get the direct 220 degrees when steaming and not even close to the temperatures mentioned above. Steaming only removes the dirt oils and grime that accumulates on the record surface for a much better sounding and playing record. Along with cleaning fluids and medical grade water for rinsing a system for the best in record cleaning. Enjoy the music.
stltrains 2 years ago
Hi,
thanks for sharing this original method of yours.
Looks pretty cool.
May I ask what appliance you are using for for removing the static at the end of the clening cycle ?
Regards,
david
groovivi 2 years ago
Hello David the machine is a Furutech de Stat. I use it before and after steam cleaning. It works very well in removing static. Mike
stltrains 2 years ago
Hey Mike. I just bought a 16.5. So far I'm disappointed. I have records that are nm with the exception of a strange film. Hard to describe. It almost looks like some liquid once splattered across the vinyl from the inside out. I also have some records that have wavy marks on them from where the poly-sleeve stuck to the record for years and somehow residue from the poly sleeve wore off onto the records.
The 16.5 does nothing. Have you ever seen anything like this? Will steaming even help?
theinhabitant 2 years ago
@theinhabitant hello your 16.5 can only help clean and vac the fluid from the lps. cant help with the film you describe. You could give steaming and a good vinyl record cleaner like disk doc to get the grunge out it could also help with the stuck parts of the poly sleeve. steaming first to get the loose grit out then a good scrubbing while steaming then vac and steam again to help with rinsing. then a good sterile water rinse. then give the record a play and hopefully your problems are solved.
stltrains 2 years ago
how could u fix a warped l.p.?is it possible?i got a copy of kiss:first kiss last licks that just breaks my heart........
bfodrie01 2 years ago
@bfodrie01 sorry to say steaming will not fix a warped record. theres several audio web sites you could do a warped record repair search and get some ideas on getting your record flat. good luck.
stltrains 2 years ago
so could you use this method
to also fix a warped record
rlara92 2 years ago 2
@rlara92 hey no you cant fix a warped lp by steaming it sorry to say.
stltrains 2 years ago
I just got a VPI 16.5 to pair with my McCulloch steamer -- I just use a regular Hunt EDA dry brush for the initial dust removal phase. It helps preserve the life of the vacuum tube if you're like me and only have one (so far).
Do you not use a label protector? I found it hard to not get the label wet when steaming the inner grooves, and using my usual dessert dish was challenging because it moves around too much while steaming/scrubbing. :)
bogglor 2 years ago
bogglor initially i did the very same thing with a hunt brush. I ve experimented with various ways of getting the front line dirt and dust off the records surface before scrubbing. I highly recommend making a pass steaming the lp and vacuuming first.
i hardly get any water on my labels. you can get a wide mouthed tumbler to cover the label for protection. you dont need to steam the dead wax.
i bought another vac tube from VPI and use it for my final rinse.
good luck and thanks for posting.
stltrains 2 years ago
Great ! thanks
ecandle 2 years ago
Hello ecandle glad that this helped you get better sound from your vinyl records. Like i mentioned in the intro one of the best improvements to this video is making that pass with the steamer before scrubbing and vacuuming do this as a first step it gets all of the dust and small practicals off the record before you scrub them in. Thanks for the kind words Mike
stltrains 2 years ago
I just added a few things that has improved the process read the opening intro above. Mike
stltrains 2 years ago
@stltrains
Hi Mike, can you tell me what brand that steamer you used in the video? Do most hand held steamer have that angle nozzle? Thanks Mike!
937234JLOT 2 years ago
Hello and thanks for posting the steamer is a Perfection and its not available any longer. If theres a Walgreens or Wal Mart in your area theres similar models that will do the job. I believe the model that Walgreens sells has the same nozzle. Which is the perfect attachment for aiming the steam spray. Good luck and let us know your results. Mike
stltrains 2 years ago
Does this work because the steam acts like a super ultra fine mist?
Steam is hot but I figure you know what you're doing and aren't heating the vinyl to the point warping:)
SirFoggy2Doped 2 years ago
SirFoggy yes the fine hot steam penetrates to the bottom of the records grooves which helps remove debris. Along with brushing and vacuuming up the residue and adding a good rinse cycle delivers a quiet great sounding vinyl lp. Only some manufactures records warp slightly during the steaming of the outside of the lp before you reach the inner grooves all warping is gone. I ve steam cleaned a lot of records and not one has been harmed. Good luck and enjoy the music. Mike
stltrains 2 years ago
I have 200 old records that are not worth it with the scraches and damaged covers so i use alcohol and distilled water. I added a dash of dawn but i find it leaves a white film on some records. But even when i think i clean them dust gets back on them. I know why records are obsolete. But i love the vinyl albums and the covers. .I cant get rid of the poch sounds in some albums no matter how many times i clean it. I am still trying to find a better way to clean these.
woofwoofbone 2 years ago
hey dog and thanks for responding. i dont recommend using other than designed cleaning fluids on vinyl lps. if you give my method a try you might find those old records will play quiet and sound better. vinyl playback is a labor of love and a commitment of time and some good old fashioned work. the payoff is the best in sound. analog vinyl playback beats the pants off of digital playback. good luck and enjoy the music. mike
stltrains 2 years ago
I think your method is the best but i dont think the cost and benefit add up. I will spend the 5 bucks on the small bottle of fluid and try it for a few records to see though,
woofwoofbone 2 years ago
I believe your investment for vinyl record cleaning fluid is a good choice. By following the instructions you will get good results if the records or not to bad off grime wise. Good luck and enjoy the music. Mike
stltrains 2 years ago
This looks really promising! Do you find that the steaming does any damage to the label?
btwentwo 2 years ago 2
Hello btwentwo this method has worked for me and others for quiet some time. You will realize the full potential of your vinyl sound wise. Quite, clean for all of the sound your lps deliver. No steaming will not harm your label because the stream/water does not get to the label. If this is a concern in the beginning for you place a large mouthed tumbler over the label. Enjoy the music and thanks for your interest
Mike
stltrains 2 years ago
Have you tried steaming and vacuuming at the same time?
punktexas 2 years ago
No i haven't how if that working for you. I vac just after i pass the steamer. Hows those lps sounding now that you are steam cleaning them. Thanks for sharing your ideas and enjoy the music
Mike
stltrains 2 years ago
I have just received my steam cleaner and RCM.
I have the following fluids for my cleaning: Enzyme , Super Deep and a Rinse. I have different brushes for each but wondered if you had any tips on steaming with my fluids?
Should I steam before or after applying fluid?
For dirty records I will do the 3 step starting with the enzyme cleaner.
Your video still amazes me!
Many thanks Mr Steamer!
paulix1 2 years ago
paulix congrats. using enzymes means you need to leave it on the surface of the LP and let the enzymes work into the grooves for a amount of time. you could rinse then steam or steam first maybe both, you may need to experiment to find what works better. the important part is getting all of the cleaning fluids out of the LPs grooves.this is where several rinses come in. enjoy those quite playing records.
many thanks for your comments good luck and keep us informed of your progress.
Mike
stltrains 2 years ago
I have been steaming with old records and found that there is definately an improvement in the openess [if that makes sense] of the sound and clarity of everything is improved, although I have found that there can be a underlying continuous surface noise.
Do you have any ideas why?
I thought perhaps I hadn't rinsed enough although I did rinse twice.
I will go back to these at some point and do more rinses i think, like you said it's important to get the cleaning fluids out of the grooves.
Paulix
Schmerz78 2 years ago
BTW, what is steaming the record supposed to accomplish, exactly? If you can see the records warping, that's probably a good indication that you shouldn't be doing this. I honestly thought this video was a joke at first.
wolzek 2 years ago 2
Steaming, vinyl record cleaning solution and lab grade water allow cleaning to the very bottom of a records grooves which is necessary to achieve the best playback of vinyl records. For old records that have been neglected with dirt, oils and grime in the grooves to new records with release solutions my method removes these noise making problems. Vinyl records are made of plastic which will give with heat. Using heat to flatten does no harm nor does steaming. Steam cleaning is no joke.
stltrains 2 years ago