On Jan 12, 12:28 am, Jeff Liebermann
wrote:
I've been volunteered to resurrect a Gerard A75 turntable and a Sony
250 reel to reel tape deck.
Both the turntable and tape recorder have rubber idler wheels that
have turned hard as a rock. Is it possible to soften the rubber with
some chemical?
In the 1960's I would just replace the rubber parts, so this was not
an issue. Now, I have to work with what's in front of me. Worse, I
have one shot to get it right and can't really risk a failed
experiment.
I've applied No-Slip goop to the outside of the idlers, which works
for a few hours and then starts to slip. That's not going to work.
I also have a bottle of foul smelling Methyl Prapasol Acetate, which I
use to clean and soften rubber parts in laser printers. It works well
for printers. However, my experience with the stuff on really old
rubber parts (over about 10-15 years) is that the rubber just
crumbles. I don't want to risk it.
Duz anyone have a better potion, elixer, process, or incantation for
softening rubber idler wheels?
--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831-336-2558
#http://802.11junk.com
#http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
Are they "slippery" hard or "brittle" hard? Can you see any cracks
on the drive surfaces? If they are brittle hard w/ major cracking
(i.e. cracks that run into the rubber below the drive surfaces) I
would
be surprised if you could find any chemical that will help.
If they're not that bad, I've had good luck with GC Electronics
Rubber Rejuvenator.
For really, really hardened rubber I've had success with
Teac Rubber Cleaner (Part No. RC-2). This a potent,
oily liquid that smells like liquid moth balls. I found a
discussion thread that indicates it is no longer made,
but it looks like Rawn makes a close replacement:
"...
I've used the old TEAC rubber conditioner since about 1979 and I still
have about 1/2 oz left of an old 2 oz glass bottle. That's how far it
goes when used in moderation. That was my favorite for pinch rollers.
The bad news is TEAC doesn't sell it anymore. The good news is it was
made for TEAC by Rawn and they still sell the latest incarnation as
"Re-Grip" They changed the formula a couple times because someone in
California found some chemical in it to be carcinogenic. But none of
my tape decks have gotten cancer, so I guess the joke's on
California.
http://www.aedwis.com/rawn.html
...."
I still have a mostly-full 7 oz can of the Teac cleaner from 20 yrs.
ago. Guess I'll keep the cap on it...