Dave, I said not to clean the pinch rollers with alcohol. Aside from that,
alcohol eats oxide from the tapes. Pinch rollers can be cleaned with mild soap
and water and then rinsed. When doing so, be sure not to get water into the
hubs. A little on a cloth and a bit of patience. A mild solution of jet fuel and
boric acid works well also, I'm told.
As for the capstan, sometimes I use Dirtex. I love that stuff.
Tonight I'm going to get out my Gilbert electron microscope and see what is left
behind after I'm done. I've had great success using Dirtex to clean the long
felt capstan wiper felt as well. Don't be afraid to get it wet... it will dry
and it's easy to block back into shape. Be sure to rinse it well though. It's
also worth replacing and if they're nasty enough. I just slice them off and toss
them, then put a nice new one on. You have to make sure the felt doesn't come up
too high against the capstan or you'll be fowling tapes on a regular basis.
Well, enough from me.
Frank
In a message dated 12/3/2012 7:25:36 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
mellotronster@yahoo.com writes:
Vile Tony Said:
When you clean the capstan with alcohol, this makes the oxide sticky and coats the capstan with an oxide glue!
And the Hog Vibrator said:
Clean the surface of the pinch rollers with something that leaves no residue. NOT ALCOHOL.
All my searches on isopropyl alcohol say it doesn't leave a residue but you guys say it does. I believe you guys. What should we be using to clean the capstan and metal parts?
Dave