How to Clean Audio Cassette Heads

[Farmer Bill]

I bought a used AM/FM/Cassette deck for my car. Unfortunately, th
heads, capstans, and pinch rollers were filthy. A cleaning tape barel
made a dent in the grime, so I cleaned everything gently with Q-tips an
rubbing alcohol. But there is still visible corrosion on the tape head
causing playback to sound muffled (in one direction only; in the othe
direction, the music sounds fine; it's a reversible deck). I have ru
the (wet) cleaning tape through the machine about 15 times, to n
avail.

Does anyone know of a safe method to remove corrosion from audi
cassette tape heads? Not sure if I'm savvy enough to try to remove th
tape head from my old player and put it in the new player. Maybe I jus
need to buy another used deck from a more reputable seller.

Many thanks

 

[Arfa Daily]

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

 

[Lee]

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

 

[ampdoc]

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

 

[Sam Goldwasser]

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.

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[GregS]

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.

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

 

[taharka]

How do,

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.

 

[jakdedert]

How do,



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

 

[Sofa Slug]

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.

 

[[email protected]]

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

 

[GregS]

Oh I just thought about me using Rain-X deicing fluid. It contains Rain-X.
Its the bright orange washer fluid. If you have used this stuff I don't see anybody going
back to plain washer fluid.

I also used to use the washer fluid that went
a lot colder than the regular fluid for the extra cold months. I imagine it used a purer
alcohol but may just be another form?

greg

 

[[email protected]]

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

 

[Deke]

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.

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

 

[Farmer Bill]

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
guess is where the head reads the tape. Do I need to be particularl
careful when cleaning this part of the head? In contrast, the sides o
the head are shiny and smooth (if they were clean), and seem les
susceptible to damage from cleaning. I'm still not clear on why th
tape plays fine in one direction, and sounds muted in the othe
direction. Are there actually 2 areas on the tape head, one for eac
direction? If so I guess they would be positioned one on top of th
other.

Many thanks to everyone who took the time to answer my origina
question. What a great forum, and great group of people, to shar
their expertise.

Bill
[/QUOTE]

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 ree
tape
stored ina garage, being played for the first time in 20 years. Eve
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 don
want
it. Let it sit for a bit, and then with a clean swab, also lightly
moistened in lighter fluid, start scrubbing it off. Severa
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 cru
to be
gone.
After you get it off, then use alcohol to rinse the head, and remov
the
slightly oily film lighter fluid will leave.
HTH!

Peace
Dek

 

[Homer J Simpson]

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.

 

[Deke]

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