How to properly use a (Dry) Cleaning Cassette?

[1990s]

Re: Cleaning Deck Tape Heads with a Dry Cleaning Cassette

1. Do I hit "Play" and just let the tape run to the end?
2. Can I use both sides, or is a full rewind required before re-using the cassette?

I have these:

1. 3M Scotch Cleaning Cassette
2. Sony Cleaning Cassette C-1K

Thank you.

 

[Hajidub]

In my opinion this should only be used on a car style injection deck, q-tips and ISO for any other deck. One's like this that I've used in the past, hit play until it autoreverses and plays the opposite direction. Some of these cleaning tapes even have a reservoir for fluid.

 

[Steve Lampl]

Some cleaning tapes use an mild and very fine abrasive to remove the residue build up on the tape heads. NEVER use one of these cleaning tapes as they will eventually destroy the tape head(s).

 

[oldvinyldude]

These are fine for cars. I can offer no guidance to how well they work. Even if they are slightly abrasive, I can't imagine running one even a month would trash a head. These cleaners typically run for 30-60 seconds each use.

I have used slightly abrasive material to deep clean a head with no issues. This sort of cleaning is only necessary with stubborn deposits. Otherwise, isopropyl alcohol and firm pressure with swabs is all that is necessary. Depending on the tape, this might be necessary after a couple of hours of use, or 10 times that. When I ran only Maxell or TDK tapes (needle drops), I would go many months without a cleaning, with no degradation of sound. Now that I run pre recorded tapes, I find cleaning needs to be more frequent.

 

[Quadman2]

Some cleaning tapes use an mild and very fine abrasive to remove the residue build up on the tape heads. NEVER use one of these cleaning tapes as they will eventually destroy the tape head(s).

I've read this in the past as well. Some advocated using it sparingly, and instead doing a manual with a Q-Tip & ISO only. This was always my plan-of-action.

Q

 

[vwestlife]

Hear wear is a non-issue as long as you use it only when needed and follow the instructions. But that's assuming the cleaning tape itself is still in usable condition. I've tried several old cleaning tapes where the tape has gone sticky and just jams up when you try to play it.

 

[gadget73]

the way I always used them was to say "well ain't that cool", then use Q tips with some alcohol to do the job.

I had a friend of mine grab me a sealed factory-original Ford JBL cleaning and demo tapes out of a junkyard car just to put in the glovebox of mine.

 

[titanstats]

Re: Cleaning Deck Tape Heads with a Dry Cleaning Cassette

1. Do I hit "Play" and just let the tape run to the end?
2. Can I use both sides, or is a full rewind required before re-using the cassette?

I have these:

1. 3M Scotch Cleaning Cassette
2. Sony Cleaning Cassette C-1K

Thank you.
View attachment 2667949
View attachment 2667950

Best way to use it is to never use it. 99% alcohol and a swab does the trick.

 

[AudioGMan]

Best way to use it is to never use it. 99% alcohol and a swab does the trick.

Agreed. And then use a demagnetizer afterward.