how to clean the tape heads on a cassette deck

danger boy
danger boy Posts: 15,722
edited November 2008 in Electronics
I am new to the world of cassette tapes.. well at least I haven't been around them in about 20 yrs. I just got a Sony TC-K555-ES deck for all of $10. I want to clean the heads and rollers myself.

What method and solution is used to do this?
PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
Post edited by danger boy on
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  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited November 2008
    I used to use denatured alchohol and a que tip. Not sure if that's the recommended procedure for a true audiophile :rolleyes:
    DKG999
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  • ShinAce
    ShinAce Posts: 1,194
    edited November 2008
    Isopropyl alcohol and swabs.
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  • nadams
    nadams Posts: 5,877
    edited November 2008
    I agree with the above. They used to sell a cassette tape that was some type of textured thing that you could put liquid drops into (had one for my VCR, too), but q tips and alcohol works great :)
    Ludicrous gibs!
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited November 2008
    Q-tip and alcohol. On the tape head, you should see those brown oxidation on the q-tip, when clean it. On the roller, hold it against the capstan and the roller, as you spin it (without any cassette).
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited November 2008
    Another vote for Q-tips and alcohol.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2008
    ok cool.. easy and cheap.. unless I splurge for some extra alcohol for myself :eek: (the kind you drink) :p
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited November 2008
    NO on rubbing alcohol and tips. Vintage gear especially.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited November 2008
    Rubbing alcohol has moitorizers in it that can gum up the heads.
    Try pure alcohol (98%) with a foam swab instead. Ratshack used to sell a kit.
    If they don't have it anymore, try Parts Express.
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited November 2008
    Everclear at any liquor store will do.
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,413
    edited November 2008
    I usually demagnatize the heads first then use the alcohol on a Q-tip. it is OK to do the pinch roller once in a while but the alcohol tends to attack the rubber.
    Stan
    Stan

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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited November 2008
    http://cgi.ebay.com/70000-New-Allsop-Pro-Audio-Head-Cleaner-Cassette_W0QQitemZ310095134228QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item310095134228&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

    No afill.
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

    The SRT SEISMIC System:
    Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited November 2008
    Keiko wrote: »
    I'd recommend one of these also Al. They come up on ebay every now and then. Maybe set ya back 10.00 bucks or so. I've maintained my vintage Akai deck with one of these for almost 30 years.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaytilston/3005543428/

    That's very cool looking. I have never seen one of those or even knew they existed.

    I won't be using rubbing alcohol. I hear denatured is the way to go.
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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