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White corrosion on headshell connection to tonearm

Kpangolo

Kpangolo

New Member
Hello,
I see something that looks like limestone (probable aluminum corrosion) at the connection of the headshell to the tonearm. I was wondering if anybody has seen it before and knows how I can clean it. I would like to renew the connection and keep the Technics SH-98 head that came with this used turntable and I am wondering what may have caused it.
Thanks
 

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Vinegar and water should help. Maybe with a toothbrush or scotchbrite pad.

Clean up the the contact surfaces with alcohol after or even a pencil eraser.
 
I bought some silicone or plastic washers on ebay but you can try a plumbing place. Or get thin rubber or gasket material and cut your own.
 
Amazon sells "scratch brush pens".
I use them to polish contacts and PCB traces before I solder and to clean the corrosion after Alkaline Batteries puke.
Fiberglass Scratch Brush Pen - 3 Pack - Jewelry, Watch, Coin Cleaning, Electronic applications, Removing rust and corrosion https://a.co/d/9K64Cxi
 
Thanks. From what I read elsewhere, this is the result of licking the cartridge. I see that the leads are in bad shape and the previous user may have been licking this thing thinking that it was the connection. Salty saliva, yuk!
 
It actually is the original headshell I think (Technics SH-98).
Apparently DJs do that when they experience issues with the cartridge while the dance floor is on fire. This is a quick and dirty way to bridge the connection for an extra hour or so.
 
White powder is aluminum oxide. Aluminum "rust" I bet a tooth brush would get almost all of it off. Vinegar is acidic. be carefull, Baking soda and water will neutralize the vinegar. If you have Deoxit or equivalent give it a liberal dose to displace any water etc. The pins should be spring loaded.
 
Citric acid can also be used to dissolve corrosion like that. If possible, avoid scraping or abrasive substances.
 
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