The Mellotron Group

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