Pinch Roller Cleaning etc ?

[Cas]

If anybody here cleans their pinch rollers what do you use. and if a bit shiny what would be the approach ?

[struth]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lasermedia-Open-Reel-Tape-Head-Roller-Cleaning-Kit-NEW-TEAC-Technics-Otari-/201041735401

[Cas]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lasermedia-Open-Reel-Tape-Head-Roller-Cleaning-Kit-NEW-TEAC-Technics-Otari-/201041735401

Thanks but does not post to the UK.

[spendorman]

I used to use liquid lighter fuel to clean tape heads, seemed to work well. I also used it sparingly on the pinch rollers, did not seem to damage them. However, I make no guarantee.

[Lodgesound]

Use a lint free cloth moistened with a very mild soapy water / detergent solution.

Do NOT use isopopyl alchohol or lighter fluid on Revox rollers as they tend to grossly soften, distort and go sticky if you do.

[topoxforddoc]

Use a lint free cloth moistened with a very mild soapy water / detergent solution.

Do NOT use isopopyl alchohol or lighter fluid on Revox rollers as they tend to grossly soften, distort and go sticky if you do.

Do what Stewart says - looking after tape machines is his day job!

http://www.bfi.org.uk/people/stewart-emmings

[337alant]

Denatured alcohol ( mentholated Spirit) is what is recommended over on Tapheads.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Methylated-Spirits-Meths-Denatured-Alcohol-5-Litre-5L-/291750581040?hash=item43edb09330:g:qOUAAOSwnHZYXPO C

Alan

[spendorman]

Denatured alcohol ( mentholated Spirit) is what is recommended over on Tapheads.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Methylated-Spirits-Meths-Denatured-Alcohol-5-Litre-5L-/291750581040?hash=item43edb09330:g:qOUAAOSwnHZYXPO C

Alan

Methylated spirits was what I used years ago for tape heads, but I remember reading that the dye leaves a residue and lighter fuel was better. Strangely, after using lighter fuel the heads on all my machines seemed to keep cleaner.

[Cas]

Thanks for the tip, should have maybe said it is the TEAC A-3300SX roller I was looking to clean.

[337alant]

Thanks for the tip, should have maybe said it is the TEAC A-3300SX roller I was looking to clean.
Cas my recommendation is for cleaning pinch rollers - use Meths
For tape heads I use 99.9% isopropanol then I polish the head with nufinish car polish

Alan

[topoxforddoc]

If you use alcohol or solvents on rubber pinch rollers, they can either soft and soggy or hard and glazed. Neither is good. The rubber rollers usually need minimal cleaning.

Isopropyl alcohol on heads (sweeping along the tape path), tape lifters and tape guides (these often need more cleaning than the heads) - YES

Alcohol or solvents on rubber bits - NO!!!

[Lodgesound]

Top advice there Charlie!!

Seriously this rubber is getting old now - put alchohol on it at your own peril and as for lighter fluid...do NOT EVEN THINK about it!!

I had to replace the pinch roller on my A 820 a while back...the new roller was the best part of £500!

The pinch roller is an extremely critical part in any tape transport as it to a very large extent defines much of the flutter and wow performance of the machine.

[Cas]

Cas my recommendation is for cleaning pinch rollers - use Meths
For tape heads I use 99.9% isopropanol then I polish the head with nufinish car polish

Alan

Thanks, hope you have a good christmas :cool:

[topoxforddoc]

Studer and Revox don't mention which cleaning fluid to use on pinch rollers in their manuals; I think that they assumed that people would know. However, Sony do for their Pro Studio machines, given their fastidious and comprehensive documentation. Here is a screenshot of the tape cleaning path section in the Sony APR5003 manual (a fantastic punched and bound file containing operating instructions, service manual, circuit diagrams etc). It does NOT suggest that you use alcohol (methyl or isopropyl alcohol).

http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj516/topoxforddoc/Screen%20Shot%202016-12-23%20at%2022.02.16.png (http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/topoxforddoc/media/Screen%20Shot%202016-12-23%20at%2022.02.16.png.html)

[337alant]

Note that I never use isopropanol on rollers.

As recommend in all Teac and Tascam manuals the TEAC RC-1 is the recommended rubber cleaner and that is basically Naphtha.

I don’t have any left now and cant find it for sale anywhere but it was very good.
From the rollers I have cleaned I have never had one go soft or hard but I did buy a machine once that had a soft roller so had to change it?.
I also just use soap and water on the new rollers that I have as they need very little cleaning, but water doesn’t get the older rollers that are crusted with tape oxide clean in my experience.

I have had 4 tape belts turn to liquid which have never had anything on them, its a strange phenomena that certain types of old rubber does seem to break down and reverse itself into a gooey mess :scratch:.


Alan

[struth]

This stuff is very good....http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=2651

They ship worldwide