Subject:OT - tape cleaner

Posted by: kbruff

Date:1/12/2004 9:58:53 AM

I was just wondering -- if anyone knows if there is a way to clean the tape of an audio cassette. I have a cassette head cleaning system, and demagnetizer, for my tape deck. However I was considering the application of a machine, that could remove particles from the tape itself.

I am a bit sorry to utilize this forum for this issue, but I figured I would start with you guys.

Thanks,
Kevin
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Subject:RE: OT - tape cleaner

Reply by: rraud

Date:1/13/2004 4:43:38 PM

Trying to clean analoge tape is not a good idea. Any cleaning might likely do more harm than good by removing the oxide particles. And some of that comes off by itself on every playback.
The only thing I would suggest if there's some beer, coffee or other water soluble crud, is very lightly cleaning a small exposed section at a time with distilled water and air-dry before winding up or back.
Some old Ampex early 1970s era reel-to-reel tapes had a problem with the oxide bonding material (aka, glue) breaking down and shedding the binder and oxide, gunking up the entire tape path and clogging tape heads. These tapes could be be made temporarily playable by baking the tape in an oven.
DO NOT attempt this with a cassette. Or any tape for that matter without extensive research.

Subject:RE: OT - tape cleaner

Reply by: kbruff

Date:1/13/2004 10:37:07 PM

OK thanks for your suggestions. Some of the tapes are are highly suspect, and therefore I have been considering some type of cleaning method.

Thanks - again,
Kevin
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