Record cleaning swith steam?

SuperVehicle · Feb 13, 2013

Record cleaning with steam?

I found some YouTube videos about some people pre-cleaning their records with steam before running them through a Nitty Gritty. Isn't steam like, hot and won't it damage a record?

illini · Feb 13, 2013

Yes, steam is too hot.

rolltide · Feb 13, 2013

Rubbing a poisonous rattlesnake over records before cleaning them might have some benefit too, but it seems existing methods are pretty effective IMO.

Moon_Man · Feb 13, 2013

I like to use a high pressure power washer with a needle-point stream. Dirt doesn't stand a chance.

chewie · Feb 13, 2013

It depends on how close you hold the steamer. I use Davey W's method and it works:

http://daveyw.edsstuff.org/vinyl/S&VVC/

Hasn't wrecked any of my records.

kach22i · Feb 13, 2013

illini said:
Yes, steam is too hot.

Just don't get carried away with it.

It works great, but I only resort to it as a last measure for the most stubborn of records.

Saints27 · Feb 13, 2013

what kind of steamer is being used in those videos?

Can't find any info. Thx.

John James · Feb 13, 2013

See here...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvinyl_chloride

You have to reach 140C (284F) before any damage could possibly occur as long as you don't let them warp. Water turns to steam at 100C (212F). Steam cleaning is a valid method for cleaning your records.

withmusic · Feb 13, 2013

In my opinion all steam cleaning does on the records is move the surface dirt around at best. If the dirt is in the grooves and stuck, you might get a little of it up, but that's about it. I'd be careful with this method if you try it though and use a low grade steamer. I have a Shark Steamer that I would not dare put near a record what comes out of it is more than 212 degrees..way more.
Personally, I wouldn't try this method as in my opinion for what it is I feel it will damage the record (depending on heat and how it's used and as I mentioned, I don't feel it's very effective, but that's me and your mileage will vary. Most methods including steaming have some validity to them. It just depends on how effective you find them.

kach22i · Feb 13, 2013

I use a low powered drapery steamer designed for delicate fabrics.

I mostly use it on those old thick hard records, they take the steam well.

The lighter cheaper records can get bendy, so be very careful on those doing both sides at nearly the same time to avoid bending and cupping.

I've used both my vacuum type record cleaner and the Orbitrac to good affect afterwords.

Avoid getting steam on your labels.

rnorton · Feb 13, 2013

chewie said:
It depends on how close you hold the steamer. I use Davey W's method and it works:

http://daveyw.edsstuff.org/vinyl/S&VVC/

Hasn't wrecked any of my records.

I depends on what you call steam. Too many people who fell asleep during science classes in high school think that water vapor is steam or that steam is visible.

Hajidub · Feb 13, 2013

rolltide said:
Rubbing a poisonous rattlesnake over records before cleaning them might have some benefit too, but it seems existing methods are pretty effective IMO.

If the snake is aligned properly the high's come in real nice! I don't see the advantage of using steam prior to cleaning the record.

robgmn · Feb 13, 2013

My hot water comes out at 135 degrees.
I made the mistake of pressure washing at full hot and the record started to warp (buckle?) in my hands.
I backed off and it flattened out; I'd be concerned that steam could cause a real problem...

Moon_Man · Feb 13, 2013

Seriously, I could see steam (actually, mostly hot water vapor) if there was a film of something on the vinyl that you were trying to liquidate and remove. Otherwise I'd be concerned about the rapid unequal heating of the record and the uneven expansion that would result.

kirk57 · Feb 13, 2013

I've steam cleaned hundreds of records, and warped exactly one (the first one) by having the steamer too close to the LP. About a foot away is fine. I'm using the Perfection steamer. Works great.

thomo57 · Feb 13, 2013

If there is temperature involved it could actually bake stuff onto the vinyl.
Making it more difficult if not impossible to remove.

Heat can harden/cook "stuff" super hard.
And you never know whats on the record to start with.

Not for me I'm afraid :no:

Panotaker · Feb 13, 2013

I usually make a lot of people mad around here when I post this, but I use the steam method all the time with a high powered Shark steam cleaner and I get excellent results. I put the nozzle an inch away from the vinyl too while it is spinning on my VPI 16.5 RCM with the vacuum running. Sometimes the thin records warp, but they flatten right out. I never have had any problems. I also do another no-no and make my own record cleaning fluid. The third rule I break is that I use a paint pad to scrub the records. The steam comes in handy for cleaning the paint pad and brushes too. They come out brand new and my records are clean as a whistle. YMMV.

wind2013 · Feb 13, 2013

thomo57 said:
If there is temperature involved it could actually bake stuff onto the vinyl.
Making it more difficult if not impossible to remove.

Heat can harden/cook "stuff" super hard.
And you never know whats on the record to start with.

Good point!

Dmitry · Feb 13, 2013

Great. One more method how not clean records that I will mention during the Frankenfest lp grading clinic next week.

withmusic · Feb 13, 2013

Panotaker said:
I usually make a lot of people mad around here when I post this, but I use the steam method all the time with a high powered Shark steam cleaner and I get excellent results. I put the nozzle an inch away from the vinyl too while it is spinning on my VPI 16.5 RCM with the vacuum running. Sometimes the thin records warp, but they flatten right out. I never have had any problems. I also do another no-no and make my own record cleaning fluid. The third rule I break is that I use a paint pad to scrub the records. The steam comes in handy for cleaning the paint pad and brushes too. They come out brand new and my records are clean as a whistle. YMMV.

I guess the laws of physics and science don't apply in your house. That shark steam cleaner puts out enough heat to do serious damage. (I know, I own one). Not only are you warping the record on the whole, but your also doing groove damage. On top of that most dirt on a record is protein based, so your also cooking some of the dirt onto the record. Sorry, I'm not trying to pick an argument or knock you down, but I just don't see how your claims can hold especially with that particular steam cleaner. I'm also concerned about the damage you may be doing to other things like using it on an expensive RCM made of MDF is probably not a wise idea either as you could be effecting the joints on the side your closest to because your still throwing a ton of heat at the seam on that side and it could start to separate on you or worse. The vinyl veneer could also start to come off.
Now cleaning the paint pads with it, that's not a bad idea.:yes:
Regarding making a home brew and using paint pads to apply and aggitate with being against the rules around here? Hardly! Many folks here, including me have home brews and/or use paint pads on their records. The thing I learned with home brews though is you really do have to use the right ingredients and ratios.

Record cleaning swith steam?

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