Crem why go through all of that trouble when a simple steamer is all thats needed? You got me here with steamings ease and profound use as a vinyl record cleaner. I'm a very happy vinyl camper with my steamer and not looking back any time soon. |
Good call Thmmas i think this thread should continue. I firmly believe that steaming is the best in record cleaning.
I just finished steam cleaning 22 lps and getting ready to have a tropical Sunday night of Rock and Roll in the Big Easy. |
I'm in full agreement that Crem gets his due, thanks again Crem and hoping all is OK.
On the bottom of my box there is a statement
"Warning this product contains chemicals including lead known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm wash hands after use"
It does not say which part on the steamer. I'm going to call customer service tomorrow when they are open and get there thoughts.
I cleaned several lps yesterday that were cleaned by other than steaming. Hands down improvement to those lps. Quite and better sound.
Ericjcabrera i had many methods of cleaning my vinyl and resisted steaming. With the time it takes to clean your lps do your self a favor get a steamer and hear the difference. At this point i will be steaming lps in my collection that has not been steamed. The fact is steaming hands down is the best way to clean your vinyl records. |
All Perfection users heres the answer to the lead question. A response from the lab using the phone number on the box stated that lead is in the power cord as Tvad mentioned but not on the outside, as long as you dont chew or cut and rub the inside of the cord on you no problems.
Cohnaudio i also use Disc Doctor Miracle cleaner. Along with Nerl lab water for the double rinse i use in my cleaning method. I use VPIs nylon brushes the one they include in there 17 machine. I believe using this brush in my rinses i'm getting the water to the bottom of the LP grooves. I can see a wake in front of the brush as the LP turns on my 16.5. By the sound i am now getting i would say that a double rinse is a must for the best in sound from a cleaned LP. I guess you have done the longevity test with Perfection glad you remembered to unplug when you did. |
Many thanks Sonofjim for your kind offer i cant thank you enough.
I guess in the end as long as you get those lps steam cleaned with a steamer that can deliver a good spray to the lp surface you should get the results needed for super clean quite playing lps.
Thanks Ho72 for the fine review. |
All at times we all get the feeling we are being offended. Its a way of life but in the end we are the ones who let what others say upset us and make us mad. Its hard to just let it go in todays arena of political correct society. You can let it go because its your choice.
Zenblaster you have hit it on the head
"The music is so much more important to me than the process" This is why to me steaming is so important it opens up your vinyl records and brings a superior sound. Its easy to do and the results are fantastic. We can use this thread to improve on the subject.
Lets enjoy the music and the hell with the rest. |
All a slight warping is almost normal when steam cleaning. In my experience some record companies vinyl warps more than others when steaming. As you pass the steamer to the inside of the LP the warping will stop and the LP will return to its original state. I have yet to leave a warp in a vinyl LP that i have steamed. And if you notice i have my Perfection Steamer apex 2 or 3 inches from the surface of the LP. Speaking of David Bowie i've had a MFSL pressing and its sound was fine. Now that i know all of my LPs must be steam cleaned i recently played the LP and put it in my steaming bin. All the difference in better sound from playing before and after is so audible its not funny. Steam cleaning is the best way i know to prepare a vinyl LP for a quite and super sounding playing session.
Crem i only hope that the people who live up the Atlantic seaboard don't experience the full furry of a cat 3 or better Hurricane. A lot of those areas are under sea level like us and it would be a sobering ordeal to live through. We are packing now to return to the big easy after escaping Gustav, from what i am seeing now from Ike it does not look good for the gulf coast. I'm Hopping all stay out of harms way. |
Sonofjim you are so right in your post above it was a little difficult doing the filming. Sorry for the delay in replying we just returned home yesterday and had a lot of cleaning up to do.
In the end your vinyl will not be harmed by the time you steam. On some lps that are in real bad shape with grunge and dirt take the extra time to get that lp clean. On others like new sealed lps you might not need that much time passing the steamer. |
Sonofjim i did a search earlier today for Perfection steamers. Walgreens.com has them listed not available at this time. I like using Perfection as i am not familiar with Shark. I have logged many hours on my Perfection with out any problems but i think i will be sending you a check for 29.00 for a backup. Send me a PM with your address will add cash for shipping many thanks. Mike |
Rada i had a very respected audiophile tell me if you dont get off your butt and try something you will never know what could have been good or bad. At around 8 minutes a lp time can be a factor in the end though because what you experienced in sound like most others i have been going through my collection and steaming all of my vinyl.
Yesterday i cleaned 20 lps and half were from my collection. The difference for better sound is beyond what i ever thought possible. Spirit 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus sounds like a veil was lifted from my speakers. The Radiators Law of the Fish a very fine recorded and produced lp puts the band in the room with you. Same goes for Eagles One of these Nights. All cleaned by other than steaming. I will say this using lab grade water as a double rinse also IMO contributes to increased resolution.
Thanks for the kind words. |
Guys im not working for Nerl Diagnostics so i have no financial interest. I just made my second order last week the first lasted almost a year. 2 cases of Nerl ultra pure reagent grade water in 1 pint bottles 6 per case for less than 40 bucks delivered. I use a double rinse to boot. To me when you go to all of that trouble to get the best sound from your lps bust your butt and spend your time 40 dollars is a easy buy for me. And for my ears not only does steaming contribute to superior vinyl sound that ultra pure water rinse is a very important part of the process also. |
Tvad you are a very funny guy. Maybe you should think about a comic carer. Ha Ha laugh laugh.
I was posting the way i rinse lps as you have so read with a more than wise cracking response.
BTW FYI i use distilled water in my steamer and for the first rinse. But you probably all ready knew that.
Im quite sure the way you clean lps is by far the best and only way others should go about it right. In case i missed it just how do you clean your lps? |
Tvad no triple rinse with Nerl. Just a double Nerl and a single steaming with distilled for me is enough. After that i have a good buzz for sure. I have a little comedian in me to.
Hey no harm no foul just the best sound we can get. Who knows the way things are shaping we better enjoy the music now while we can. |
Crem like components and must other items related to audio the choices are abound. I dont have to tell you how much of a job it is to get all needed out and ready to clean your new/used lps, thats why i wait till i have 20 or more. Yes NERL is more cash but for my time and ears worth the money.
Have a good one
Mike |
Hello Jeff ss glad that you are getting those good results from steaming your lps. Here is the number to Nerl
800 556 7575.
Have a good one and enjoy your music while you can. |
Good deal Jeff and no problem i think NERL likes our business and that lady is a real sweetie. Exposure from the video may sell more of there fine ultra pure water. I'm amazed over 10000 hits now on the video who would have thought.
I am surly a believer in NERL reagent grade water wouldn't go through the trouble of lp cleaning with out it. |
I've got it a good read I talked to Jim about his book several months ago. Same here Charlie its flowers in full bloom and pollen deluxe down here is south Louisiana now. Spring is slowly creeping north. Have a good one
Mike |
George and all using a 16.5 i've started putting folded paper towels on the back of the unit between the glass top and back wall, to collect over spray and fluids that spill on the top of 16.5. This will help keep from getting fluid inside of the unit. I have discovered this happening when draining the reservoir by tilting and seeing small amounts of water coming from the bottom of the unit. When done the paper towels can be used for a good wipe down of your 16.5 and accessories.
Also using Perfection and i would think any of the constant flow steamers just the smallest push of the trigger is needed to get positive results. |
Thats an alternative method Crem but i dont think you can get the best effort or result by holding a lp in your hand steaming. A lazy susan would be a better idea. That way you would get a even spray while spinning with the other hand.
Now that i've been using paper towels to absorb the spray off and spilled water/cleaner no more drips from the bottom of my 16.5. |
You guys are kidding right i mean April fools day was the 1st. I'm getting into my late 50s and can hear the difference that using the best water available for a double rinse of my lps. For now its Near lab grade water its some what expensive but for the time and effort i put into cleaning my vinyl its worth every dime.
Just kidding i now use Tiger water man it sends my vinyl like a 340 yard drive. This is a lie dont use this on your vinyl it may cause your eyes to get blood shot mon. |
I've steamed cleaned my lps for well over a year now,
In that time at least 300+ records. Not only new to my
collection also lps I had. My results are better sound
and super quite playback from lps I cleaned with other
methods that I had on hand. I've played these now steamed lps on more
than one occasion with out any noticeable difference in
playback.
Also in this time I have not heard or read any negative
feedback results from this topic.
Though I do and will take all feedback on the subject with a grain
of salt.
Mike |
Oilmanmojo Amen and how true cause in the
End only your ears mater and we all know what
the rest is.
|
Chashas1 i have to ask who said steaming will melt your records and do you really believe that? Also are you against doing a little work if it will bring you a positive return?
And if it does not offend you could offer your age?
I dont have any negative thoughts with my questions to you just wondering.
Mike |
Kipdent using my 16.5 for the time i've been steaming there has been no visual or mechanical errors noted to the unit. I do line the inside that takes the steam blast with paper towels.
When i started steaming i was using padded brushes. The difference in playback when i switched to VPIs 17f brushes was much quieter vinyl. I picked up some older blues lps not long ago and used my steaming method on them these lps were moldy, dirty and just in bad shape. Now playback of these lps is nothing short of amazing.
I'm not sure but maybe you might be missing some of the grooves or possibly not having the steam spray close enough while scrubbing with your brush to get all of the grunge out. In any case if steaming is not for you good luck in your new methods.
Best of luck with your vinyl and enjoy the music.
Mike |
We've already had a previous thread on steaming removed because of negativity and personal attacks. For now steaming lps works better than all else i've tried cleaning my lps. If something better comes along i will check it out. You cant get better if you sit on your butt and believe you have the holy grail.
There is a difference in like and dislike and thats normal. Whats a good thing for one is not so good for another. As Kipdent and Tvad replayed above steaming is not for them. Thats the reason i love this Country and our way of life. We are not stuck with one way of doing something, brands, or politics because we have the freedom to do as we please.
I believe an apology it owed to this thread.
Mike |
Axelwahl i should not have made that statement. What you mention above as a reason is not where i was going with what i said. It was meant for Crem and his harsh reply to Kipdent. And in truth its not my business and my apologies to you Crem.
I dont have a problem with my method of cleaning lps. My vinyl cleaned this way compared to all other methods i've used in this new age of vinyl playback is what drives me to proclaim the advantages of steaming vinyl records.
Of all of the posts here there have been some who would rather use other methods to get the best playback and i say great. We would not improve if descent and negative response were not included in a topic of doing something, like steam cleaning vinyl.
Like i said if steaming is not for you great i'm happy if you are.
dont sweat the small stuff and enjoy your music
Mike |
This attack on a fellow Audiogoner is a sham and is plain embarrassing. I have not met crem or any of the other posters here on this thread in person so i surly would not write or say anything to attack them. What a shame that some have to keep pouncing on a person because he may be out spoken and get possibly creative in writing at times so what. From all of crems posts nothing was said thats going to cause any harm to your vinyl that i read. Which the theme of this thread is about STEAM CLEANING VINYL, not lets gang up on someone. Comments like i think we finally got him are in bad taste and dont belong here. I guess your closets are clean and all of you are choir boys. Its to bad for sure and if your all happy now good for you mission accomplished.
I could give a rats who came up with steaming or who has gold stars on the wall. I would like this thread to continue because i believe STEAM CLEANING is the best answer to getting your vinyl records to play with the best sound and least amount of noise. Can we move on now to finding better ways of vinyl playback by steaming or other ideas out there of getting our lps as clean and noise free as possible.
Mike |
Johnbrown i dont believe we need a single person here to lead the discussions. We are all in this together for better playback of our records. As you found out for yourself steaming lps can improve the sound and reduce the surface noise for a quitter lp. Thats why i believe this thread should stop being hijacked by posters whos only goal is not interest in steaming or better play back but stirring the pot instead.
Tvad if you are so interested in the differences in the 3 waters you keep mentioning why dont you try using them in your method of cleaning vinyl and report back to us on your findings. More than one persons experience with those waters could be beneficial to the group. What do you think.
Mike |
Chashas the old perfection steamer I use has pressure behind the steam
It has force to help get deep inside the grooves. For my rinse cycles
I think this has a positive effect on playback.
Mike |
Chashas why don't you join in and try some of the items you listed
Above and report back to us and contribute instead of asking
Why not start trying. Not only in audio but in most things if you
Don't try or I should say experiment you will never know for
Your self what is possible.
Good luck
Mike |
Madfloyd I used walkers cleaning system. For me steaming is better for a
Quite playing record with better sound though before I discovered
This thread that's what I used.
When I steam clean my lps I use a vpi 16,5 to spin the lp while steaming
Starting at the outside of the lp and work my way to the inside when
I reach the dead wax I stop and the label stays dry. You also
Could use a drinking glass with a large mouth to cover the label
Mike |
Alan I've been using disk doctor cleaning fluids. Vpi 17f brushes
With my 16,5 record cleaning machine. The rcm is not necessary as a
Lazy susan works well for spinning your records. And as doak
Mentioned steamers are available. Good luck and let us know
Your progress.
Mike |
This is something i started doing recently and it has helped with LPs that have a lot of grunge and dust on it. Before you do anything pass the steamer across the LP and vacuum up before you put a brush to the record. This will get a majority of the dirt and funk off the record surface before it gets scrubbed into the grooves. This has almost eliminated the fuzz ball phenomenon on most records and also helps for a even quieter playing record.. |
