Was at Ace hardware today and bought one of those small portable steam cleaners for clothes and curtains. This one was missing some attachments and I bought it for 7 bucks.
Took it home and tried it on one record that I have which is a duplicate, and really doesn't sound that good. First I cleaned it with steam, and then vacuumed it on a VPI 16.5 Listened to it, but it was still noisy. Next try, I steamed it more aggressively, and then brushed it on the VPI, vacuumed it, and then wet cleaned it with the VPI solution. It got quieter, but I damaged it. There was a slow dragging sound on each revolution. Failure.
Didn't have another duplicate, but I did have a copy of ZZ Top Fandago that I was not pleased with when it went through the VPI. Listened to it before cleaning, and while its better on the new table/arm, it wasn't pristine. What the heck, lets throw the dice.
This time I steamed it a lot more cautiously. I stood the cleaner up, and held the record perpendicular to the nozzle. Slowly rotated it, and kept a decent amount of distance between the record and the steamer. Went around twice, then took it to the VPI. Did a quick wet brush, and then threw on the VPI cleaner. A quick scrub and vacuum, then its off to the TT.
Ok this time no record damage. Listening to it now, and its clean and very quiet. I can hear a small amount of what sounds like groove noise on the lead in track, but I really gotta listen for it. Heck that might have even been there before. But the record is very quiet, better than I had gotten on the VPI with just the liquid cleaner. So the second attempt is a success I think.
Need to do the other side, and work out the proper technique for doing this. But I see a lot of promise, and I am very happy with the results on this side of the test disc.
For what its worth, I think steam cleaning can be done cheaper. Use a tea kettle, and attach a hose to the end with a good c clamp. You might even be able to come up with a nozzle that directs the steam in a better pattern than this steam cleaner.
Cleaning the second side. Steamed it a touch lighter this time. But even so, I see what looks like the vinyl warping ever so slightly. But I stick it on the VPI and its flat. Same cleaning procedure as the first side. Once I play it I am impressed with the reduction of noise on the lead in groove. This side was really bad for it, and now its 95%+ gone. No swooshing sound either, so no damage. Clicks and pops are almost non existent. There are no big ones, and an occasional rice crispy. Happy with the results, but I am going to work my way through a few more test victims before I venture on to a good album.
Regards
Mister Pig
