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Electronics Repair (sci.electronics.repair) Discussion of repairing electronic equipment. Topics include requests for assistance, where to obtain servicing information and parts, techniques for diagnosis and repair, and annecdotes about success, failures and problems. |
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#1
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barely made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head, causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the other direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have run the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to no avail.
Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audio cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove the tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I just need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller. Many thanks. |
#2
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
"Farmer Bill" wrote in message ... I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barely made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head, causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the other direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have run the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to no avail. Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audio cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove the tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I just need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller. Many thanks. Farmer Bill When the heads are that badly contaminated, it's virtually impossible to get them clean without a small degree of scratching occuring. I usually use a plastic scraper to get the bulk off. The bit of a ball-point pen cap that clips over your pocket is usually good for it. Sometimes, with stubborn cases, some wadding-type metal polish will shift the oxide, but I'm afraid that occasionally, the oxide / corrosion is so firmly attached, that you just have to go for it and use a metal scraper, such as a blunt scalpel blade. It does leave some light scratching to the head surface if it's a standard metal type, but the chances are that this will be insignificant compared to the performance degradation it will already have at that age, from basic head wear. I'm not sure that rubbing alcohol is really pure enough for electronics use. It should really be 99.7% ( electronics grade ) isopropyl alcohol. Arfa |
#3
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
Farmer Bill wrote:
I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barely made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head, causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the other direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have run the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to no avail. Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audio cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove the tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I just need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller. Many thanks. Firstly, rubbing alcohol contains carnuba wax, which leaves a residue. I use isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) and for really crusted on grime, I use the little plastic bread bag closure tags as scrapers. Regards Lee |
#4
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
"Farmer Bill" wrote in message ... I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barely made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head, causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the other direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have run the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to no avail. Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audio cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove the tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I just need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller. Many thanks. -- Farmer Bill The common practice in Aviation repair shops to freshen up flight recorder heads that are scratched is to use Micromesh, a extremely fine abrasive. I'd assume it would be just fine on any magnetic tape head. Start with a 2400 grit, knock the worst off and then go up to 3600 and finish up. Also adjust the Azimuth, there should be screws on either side of the tape head to ajust the tilt of the head, if the Azimuth is off the sound will be noably lacking in treble and have a muffled sound. One source for Micromesh- http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/mmr_sheets.htm Jammy |
#5
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
Lee writes:
Farmer Bill wrote: I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barely made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head, causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the other direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have run the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to no avail. Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audio cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove the tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I just need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller. Many thanks. Firstly, rubbing alcohol contains carnuba wax, which leaves a residue. I use isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) and for really crusted on grime, I use the little plastic bread bag closure tags as scrapers. Not all rubbing alcohols are created equal. Some are just isopropyl alcohol and water. --- sam | Sci.Electronics.Repair FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/ Repair | Main Table of Contents: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/ +Lasers | Sam's Laser FAQ: http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/lasersam.htm | Mirror Sites: http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_mirror.html Important: Anything sent to the email address in the message header above is ignored unless my full name AND either lasers or electronics is included in the subject line. Or, you can contact me via the Feedback Form in the FAQs. |
#6
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
In article , "ampdoc" wrote:
"Farmer Bill" wrote in message ... I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barely made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head, causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the other direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have run the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to no avail. Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audio cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove the tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I just need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller. Many thanks. Auto reversing decks commonly have the problem of unequal playbacks, that why I always stayed away from them. It sounds like a tuneup is necessary, by making adjustments so the playback sounds similar. -- Farmer Bill The common practice in Aviation repair shops to freshen up flight recorder heads that are scratched is to use Micromesh, a extremely fine abrasive. I'd assume it would be just fine on any magnetic tape head. Start with a 2400 grit, knock the worst off and then go up to 3600 and finish up. Also adjust the Azimuth, there should be screws on either side of the tape head to ajust the tilt of the head, if the Azimuth is off the sound will be noably lacking in treble and have a muffled sound. One source for Micromesh- http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/mmr_sheets.htm That sounds like the best way of removing the corrosion. I once tried lapping a head. I was doing good, but then I really ruined it I will never figure out why my brand new reel to reel had a bad head. It was a floor unit, but was sold as new. I thought it was just me that the tapes were being eaten by the machine, and the tapes were expensive on those 10 inch metal reels. Solved the problem by buying new heads from Teac, well after the warrenty expired. greg |
#7
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
How do,
On Tue, 26 Sep 2006 10:07:27 -0400, Sam Goldwasser wrote: Not all rubbing alcohols are created equal. Some are just isopropyl alcohol and water. The isopropyl/water alcohol can be recreated to 99% pure. Just put it in the freezer, the water will freeze & you can pour off 99% pure isopropyl ;-) taharka Lexington, Kentucky U.S.A. |
#8
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
taharka wrote:
How do, On Tue, 26 Sep 2006 10:07:27 -0400, Sam Goldwasser wrote: Not all rubbing alcohols are created equal. Some are just isopropyl alcohol and water. The isopropyl/water alcohol can be recreated to 99% pure. Just put it in the freezer, the water will freeze & you can pour off 99% pure isopropyl ;-) I've found that most automotive fuel deicer products are pure alcohol. A single bottle of Heet will last a long time around the shop.... jak taharka Lexington, Kentucky U.S.A. |
#9
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
Farmer Bill wrote:
I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barely made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head, causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the other direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have run the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to no avail. Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audio cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove the tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I just need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller. Many thanks. You might try Brasso polish - it contains a fine abrasive and may safely remove the corrosion if it's not too severe. Follow the directions on the can and apply with a Q-Tip. Allow it to dry thoroughly, then polish it off with a clean Q-tip. Keep repeating the process until the corrosion is gone. Remove any remaining Brasso residue with 91% or better Isopropyl Alcohol. If that doesn't work and you are feeling brave, you could try something more abrasive like CD scratch remover liquid or maybe even automotive polishing compound. Just work slowly and carefully and be sure to remove any residue afterwards with the alcohol. |
#10
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
jakdedert wrote: taharka wrote: How do, On Tue, 26 Sep 2006 10:07:27 -0400, Sam Goldwasser wrote: Not all rubbing alcohols are created equal. Some are just isopropyl alcohol and water. The isopropyl/water alcohol can be recreated to 99% pure. Just put it in the freezer, the water will freeze & you can pour off 99% pure isopropyl ;-) I've found that most automotive fuel deicer products are pure alcohol. A single bottle of Heet will last a long time around the shop.... Has anybody separated the two like they do when making ice beer? If you put deicer in, its not going to freeze until it gets really cold. Using near 100% alcohol is good for applications, however many times the near 100% will quickly turn to near 100% water as the alcohol dries and absorbs water at the same time, so using near 100% alcohol doesn't usually happen unless its with a heat gun to dry it quickly. I used to clean tape heads with rubbing alcohol, I thought the mineral oil or other things in it helped lubricate the head, or other things clean with it. greg |
#11
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
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#12
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
ampdoc wrote:
"Farmer Bill" wrote in message ... I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barely made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head, causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the other direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have run the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to no avail. Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audio cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove the tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I just need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller. Many thanks. The common practice in Aviation repair shops to freshen up flight recorder heads that are scratched is to use Micromesh, a extremely fine abrasive. I'd assume it would be just fine on any magnetic tape head. Start with a 2400 grit, knock the worst off and then go up to 3600 and finish up. Also adjust the Azimuth, there should be screws on either side of the tape head to ajust the tilt of the head, if the Azimuth is off the sound will be noably lacking in treble and have a muffled sound. One source for Micromesh- http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/mmr_sheets.htm Jammy Just be aware that setting reversing heads azimuth isnt as simple as with single directoin heads. NT |
#13
Posted to sci.electronics.repair
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
"Farmer Bill" wrote in message ... I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, the heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barely made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head, causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the other direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have run the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to no avail. Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audio cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove the tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I just need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller. Many thanks. -- Farmer Bill I transfer reel to reel tapes to CDR as a hobby, and side line. If you think cassettes shed oxide, imagine a 30 year old reel to reel tape stored ina garage, being played for the first time in 20 years. Even after a mild baking, they shed! I use naptha (lighter fluid) (very sparingly!) on a q-tip. You want just enough to wet the crud, not enough to run where you dont want it. Let it sit for a bit, and then with a clean swab, also lightly moistened in lighter fluid, start scrubbing it off. Several applications may be needed. I would avoid anything plastic, metal, or generally harder than your fingernail. I've also used a #2 pencil eraser to encourage the crud to be gone. After you get it off, then use alcohol to rinse the head, and remove the slightly oily film lighter fluid will leave. HTH! Peace Deke |
#14
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Thanks, I will try the lighter fluid first, then Brasso.
Follow-up question: In the middle of the head there's a kind of cross-hatching, which I guess is where the head reads the tape. Do I need to be particularly careful when cleaning this part of the head? In contrast, the sides of the head are shiny and smooth (if they were clean), and seem less susceptible to damage from cleaning. I'm still not clear on why the tape plays fine in one direction, and sounds muted in the other direction. Are there actually 2 areas on the tape head, one for each direction? If so I guess they would be positioned one on top of the other. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my original question. What a great forum, and great group of people, to share their expertise. Bill -- Farmer Bill[/i][/color] I transfer reel to reel tapes to CDR as a hobby, and side line. If you think cassettes shed oxide, imagine a 30 year old reel to reel tape stored ina garage, being played for the first time in 20 years. Even after a mild baking, they shed! I use naptha (lighter fluid) (very sparingly!) on a q-tip. You want just enough to wet the crud, not enough to run where you dont want it. Let it sit for a bit, and then with a clean swab, also lightly moistened in lighter fluid, start scrubbing it off. Several applications may be needed. I would avoid anything plastic, metal, or generally harder than your fingernail. I've also used a #2 pencil eraser to encourage the crud to be gone. After you get it off, then use alcohol to rinse the head, and remove the slightly oily film lighter fluid will leave. HTH! Peace Deke[/quote] |
#15
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
"Farmer Bill" wrote in message ... In the middle of the head there's a kind of cross-hatching, which I guess is where the head reads the tape. Do I need to be particularly careful when cleaning this part of the head? Google for how heads work. |
#16
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How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads
"Farmer Bill" wrote in message ... Thanks, I will try the lighter fluid first, then Brasso. Follow-up question: In the middle of the head there's a kind of cross-hatching, which I guess is where the head reads the tape. Do I need to be particularly careful when cleaning this part of the head? In contrast, the sides of the head are shiny and smooth (if they were clean), and seem less susceptible to damage from cleaning. I'm still not clear on why the tape plays fine in one direction, and sounds muted in the other direction. Are there actually 2 areas on the tape head, one for each direction? If so I guess they would be positioned one on top of the other. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my original question. What a great forum, and great group of people, to share their expertise. Bill Try this after you get the heads as clean as you can. Take a sharpened #2 pencil and gently run the lead point vertically down the face of the head. If there is a groove that is noticeable, (you'll feel it when the pencil lead hits it) the head may be worn past the point of giving you good sound in both directions. Theres several different methods of auto reverse mechanics. Not knowing the make and model, its had to say why it works in one direction and is muffled in the other. And it could be out of alignment, but its more likely either dirty, or worn. Dont go tweaking anything untill you have exhausted all other posibilities. Get it clean first, then go from there. And forget about the brasso. Not good, IMHO. Deke |
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