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Steam Cleaning & Drying Vinyl; Which Steamer & Which Shop Vac?

R

Rhetor

Active Member
Got a big thrift store score of vinyl. I am up to try some steam cleaning on the moldier ones as the initial step. (Of course will be doing more steps after the initial steam clean.)

Looking for a steam cleaner to buy that will do the job. Would like to purchase from Amazon, but the reviews are all over the map.

For those who actually use steam cleaning in their regimen, which steam cleaner do you recommend purchasing with which you have success.

BTW, going to get a small shop vac and adapt for drying. I will take recommendations on shop vac too . . . Not sure which size is best.

(I will be making my own RCM with it later; already have a motor and an old broken cheap turntable to cannibalize.)

So, steam cleaner model recommendations?

Shop vac model recommendations?
 
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Mapleshade audio carried a steam cleaner for vinyl a few years back. I got one myself. Don't know the brand. I believe that they still do the steam cleaning thing but don't actually offer the steam cleaning machine anymore. If you call them they will probably steer you to one that they would recommend. As far as drying, just use some micro cloths. This is what comes with Mapleshades package. Seems to work well for me. Steam cleaning is a bit more labor intensive than a regular RMC such as a VPI, but its alot cheaper.
 
I scrub with paint pad + Dawn, rinse, then after drying, I glue with Titebond II.

Works light years better than ANY combination of rcm and steam, and I've tried and built my own rcm (which I could never get to stop scratching my albums) and the steamer I got would occasionally warp a record.
 
I'd first experiment with some expendable thrift store records with the steam cleaner before you move on to records you treasure. Consider the cost of records against possible damage from a steam cleaner and which is cheaper in the long run.
 
I use the steam cleaner method with records that will not surrender to my Nitty Gritty RCM. I've found that there are some records (the particularly rice crispy sounding type) that will respond well to a steam cleaning. I use a Perfection Steam Cleaner that I bought at Walgreen for about 17 bucks or so. Lay the record flat on a clean towel and use the steamer at about 2 inches from the record. Dry with a micro towel and the run thru my RCM. I've done about a 100 or so and have never had one warp so far...
 
majick47 said:
I'd first experiment with some expendable thrift store records with the steam cleaner before you move on to records you treasure. Consider the cost of records against possible damage from a steam cleaner and which is cheaper in the long run.
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Definitely . . . That is my plan for the thrift store moldy ones which have no real value except for me.

Not interested in the glue . . . And not willin to lay out cash for an expensive RCM since my collection has very few LPs of significant value, but just a few.

I have a large shop vac, but it is just too valuable.

Walgreen's no longer sells the perfection.

So, looking for recommendations of not what to do, but of a steam cleaner and a vac AKers have in use that is working well for them. Seems like otherwise aI am just guessing on the vac size or the steam cleaner. I am looking for suggestions that are working in the real world for steaming and vacuuming.

Thanks.
 
Rhetor said:
Definitely . . . That is my plan for the thrift store moldy ones which have no real value except for me.

Not interested in the glue . . . And not willin to lay out cash for an expensive RCM since my collection has very few LPs of significant value, but just a few.

I have a large shop vac, but it is just too valuable.

Walgreen's no longer sells the perfection.

So, looking for recommendations of not what to do, but of a steam cleaner and a vac AKers have in use that is working well for them. Seems like otherwise aI am just guessing on the vac size or the steam cleaner. I am looking for suggestions that are working in the real world for steaming and vacuuming.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

I just did a quick search in e*pray and found three perfection steam cleaners listed. I don't know that there is anything really special about this cleaner. It has worked well for me for several years but I'm sure there are others that would work as well but if you must go with perfection here you go http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...w=perfection+steam+cleaner&_sacat=0&_from=R40
 
I don't understand why you aren't interested in the glue treatment, because with a playing card, Titebond II, and an unused platter spun by hand, you can have one side applied in 3 minutes or less. Allow to dry, remove, and you have perfection.

Don't be daunted. The results are truly nonpareil.
 
I use a Shark steam cleaner. It looks pretty much like the Perfection steam cleaner. I think they all work about the same. The glue method works good, but my steamer has gotten records sounding a lot quieter after a couple of applications of wood glue. Plus it is a lot faster. I have never damaged a record either. I steam them right on my RCM.
 
Panotaker said:
I use a Shark steam cleaner. It looks pretty much like the Perfection steam cleaner. I think they all work about the same. The glue method works good, but my steamer has gotten records sounding a lot quieter after a couple of applications of wood glue. Plus it is a lot faster. I have never damaged a record either. I steam them right on my RCM.
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I'm glad you have had success with that. I have that Shark steam cleaner you speak of and a VPI 16.5. Personally, I would not get that particular steam cleaner anywhere near my RCM or my records.:no: That thing will strip chrome off a bumper!
 
ejman said:
I just did a quick search in e*pray and found three perfection steam cleaners listed. I don't know that there is anything really special about this cleaner. It has worked well for me for several years but I'm sure there are others that would work as well but if you must go with perfection here you go http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...w=perfection+steam+cleaner&_sacat=0&_from=R40
Click to expand...

Thanks for the finds . . . But I was not looking for used . . . Was looking for a new one I could get off of Amazon(I like the 2 day free shipping on a new item). Just wanting to get a new one, but that gets hot enough to work right . . . Tried and tested in the real world.

While I sincerely appreciate your suggestion, I am not interested in glue method. Maybe at a much later date. Seems more labor intensive, and in my reading have read numerous reviews that even after glue, pops and sparkles are quieted, but often further cleaning (like steam or an RCM treatment needed to reduce static further.

In any case, have chosen steam cleaning as an option, and shop vac, small enough to do the job right...enough suction power without sucking the record up inside the mega shop vac. And I want to use the same shop vac when aI build my own RacM which aI already have a motor for.

I understand there are many viable options that work well for some. But I have already made my decision after a lot of reading and what method I am choosing to employ . . . Steam for ugly stuff, DIY solution, rinse with distilled,water,,then vac.

So . . . Suggestions for available as new steamers and shop vacs working in the real world for AKers who have chosen steam cleaning and vacuuming in their DIY repertoire?
 
You are not going to get a lot of support around here about steam cleaning records. The few times I have brought it up, I get mostly negative comments, even though steam cleaning works perfectly fine for me and I have never had any problems. The haters are going to hate, so I don't even bring it up any more. From what I have seen, all those hand held steam cleaners work the same, so it doesn't really matter which one you get. You put your distiller water in, it makes steam, and when you squeeze the trigger, the steam comes out at 90 mph. So pick one and order one, or go by your local Wally World and pick one up. Any shop vac will work too, just put a micro fiber cloth over the nozzle and suck up the water. That will hold you until you decide to get an RCM. I personally use a VPI 16.5. I sealed all the seams on mine so the steam doesn't warp the wood. I have been using this method for a few years now with no problems.
 
Quick update from my side

I've now cleaned at least 500 LP's with the DIY Steam and Vac method outlined HERE with videos HERE

This is the Amazon bought (UK) steamer that continues to provide sterling service (bigger pics in the above link)

L.JPG


THIS looks very similar available via Amazon US

I've never had an issue with permanently warped records, despite a triple steam per side per clean.
Thinner vinyl does deform/warp under steam application but reverts back to flat on cool down.

Re. vac's I just used a std. 1200W machine as pictured in the link.
I removed all of the filters and the bag and make sure the vinyl doesn't get significantly soaked during the steaming phases.

A light wetting and the vac just pulls the moisture through, evaporating it in the process. If the vinyl is well wetted then I do get water caught in the chamber where the bag would have been, but try to avoid this.

I can understand why many are reserved about the use of steam, but I've never looked back.
After much experimenting (with different techniques, brushes and cleaning agents etc.) this Steam and Vac process remains my preferred method of cleaning.

Cheers
Dave
 
Okay, do what you like Rhetor.

Seems you have your mind made up. I wish you the best, and happy cleaning.
 
DaveyW said:
Quick update from my side

I've now cleaned at least 500 LP's with the DIY Steam and Vac method outlined HERE with videos HERE

This is the Amazon bought (UK) steamer that continues to provide sterling service (bigger pics in the above link)

L.JPG


THIS looks very similar available via Amazon US

I've never had an issue with permanently warped records, despite a triple steam per side per clean.
Thinner vinyl does deform/warp under steam application but reverts back to flat on cool down.

Re. vac's I just used a std. 1200W machine as pictured in the link.
I removed all of the filters and the bag and make sure the vinyl doesn't get significantly soaked during the steaming phases.

A light wetting and the vac just pulls the moisture through, evaporating it in the process. If the vinyl is well wetted then I do get water caught in the chamber where the bag would have been, but try to avoid this.

I can understand why many are reserved about the use of steam, but I've never looked back.
After much experimenting (with different techniques, brushes and cleaning agents etc.) this Steam and Vac process remains my preferred method of cleaning.

Cheers
Dave
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing your experiences!
 
Once I saw how DaveyW did it, I knew that I didn't need and expensive RCM.


I've been doing it this way for about a year or so.
 
Thanks to the OP for asking the question as I think I am going to find me a little steam cleaner and see what happens.
 
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