HELP - How to clean RT-909 Heads

[ProUser]

Hello,

What is a proper way to clean your heads and not mess them up. Also looking at this picture can you tell me if my heads need to be re-lapped.

Thanks

 

[Blue Shadow]

Those don't look too worn but you can once clean, run a fingernail top to bottom and if it catches on a groove edge made by the tape, maybe a relap is needed.

Folks have used nufinish car wax to clean heads because they seem to use it for sticky shed tapes and have it available. It may take something more abrasive to clean them though. Don't know what I would use.

 

[ProUser]

Those don't look too worn but you can once clean, run a fingernail top to bottom and if it catches on a groove edge made by the tape, maybe a relap is needed.

Folks have used nufinish car wax to clean heads because they seem to use it for sticky shed tapes and have it available. It may take something more abrasive to clean them though. Don't know what I would use.

Thanks shadow, will give it a try and report my findings

 

[Awesomeaudio]

Wow. Those heads really need a good scrub.
Looks like that unit was stored in a very high humidity environment.
I was going to suggest isopropyl alcohol until I saw the pic.
Auto polish might just be the ticket unless the pitted areas are worse than thought.
Does the unit play tape ok ?

 

[ProUser]

Wow. Those heads really need a good scrub.
Looks like that unit was stored in a very high humidity environment.
I was going to suggest isopropyl alcohol until I saw the pic.
Auto polish might just be the ticket unless the pitted areas are worse than thought.
Does the unit play tape ok ?

Surprisingly it does, but when trying to record it's very low volume and too much static :/

 

[KevinJS]

I'd still try isopropyl alcohol first. It's surprising how much gunk it will soften and remove. Might take several cleanings though.

 

[ProUser]

I'd still try isopropyl alcohol first. It's surprising how much gunk it will soften and remove. Might take several cleanings though.

I've tried 99% isopropyl alcohol, didnt do anything.

 

[KevinJS]

I've tried 99% isopropyl alcohol, didnt do anything.

Sorry to hear that. You may indeed need something a bit more aggressive then. I have Akai and Sony machines. Both responded well to IPA.

 

[Awesomeaudio]

Surprisingly it does, but when trying to record it's very low volume and too much static :/

You might want to try demagnetizing the heads.
Do you have a de magnetizer ?