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Thorens TP 60 headshell needs cleaning

93SCMax

93SCMax

Active Member
Any experience or expert advice on how to clean-up this Thorens TP 60 headshell? I believe it's "pitting" in the magnesium shell. Functions fine, just looks like crap. It's an original from 1976.

Thanks for your input.
 

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De-Oxit on a q-tip with help a little...it's not gonna make it perfect with that much oxidation on it.
 
That needs a quick refurb.

Take some time and put a new coat of paint on the black section. I'd probably just tape off the parts I didn't want to spray, but this after removing the wiring and cartridge. Cover the cartridge sled, wire connections both sides and aluminum nameplate (which will come off) and on goes a nice Krylon satin black after a light sanding to smooth the surface.
 
Montycat said:
Deoxit won't help IMO. If you really want to make it look better that would involve sanding to get below the pitting and then paint.
Click to expand...

It will because I've done it 100 times. As I pointed out, it's not going to make a significant difference with that amount of oxidation. I agree, to make a huge difference, it will need to be refinished. The original poster asked about "cleanup" and that's how I approached my answer.
 
I guess I interpret "clean up" differently. :)

Sure it might remove some staining and slow down the process a tad but it will still be ugly without refinishing.
 
Gentlemen,
Thank you for your replies. Was hoping for input from someone who's experienced this on their Thorens...but your input is appreciated.

I tried the DeOxit and the pits aren't as noticeable (but still there). I wasn't sure if I could sand a magnesium shell, since I don't want to mar it up more than it is. I'd agree that if I can remove the pitting, that a coat or two of paint would finish it off.
 
Magnesium is quite soft so sanding with fine Emery paper like 400 or so would be easy.
 
The deoxit will contaminate the metal so that a future attempt at painting might not go well. It leaves a lube and we don't lube stuff before painting.
 
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