Would you advise this method to restore old pinchrollers or rubber parts? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Rick62008 · 16th Jul 2012, 5:06 pm

Hi again.

If i have old audio or video equipment, with old pinchrollers that aren't cracked or hardened that only look a bit glossy or dirty, would it be advisable to restore them by softly sanding them with a emery board or a fine sandpaper or something else that doesn't hurt much the rubber?

I would like to avoid replacing those parts if possible or even to resort to rubber rejuvenator.

More tips would also be very much welcome.

thank you in advance!

paulsherwin · 16th Jul 2012, 5:13 pm

This is a standard technique when restoring old pinch rollers or idler wheels. It doesn't always provide a complete fix but usually results in some improvement.

Rick62008 · 16th Jul 2012, 6:28 pm

Well i recall reading this method a while ago but i thought it would be safer to ask someone who already did it. I guess i need to be very smooth with it so that i don't introduce ruff edges to the rubber resulting in a damaged tape afterwards.

camtechman · 17th Jul 2012, 5:52 pm

I've resorted to that method on rim drive rubber clad reels, the one that suffer from a permanent indent from the small dc motor spindle (in the off position)

saxmaniac · 22nd Jul 2012, 2:15 pm

I did get away with putting a very bad turntable idler in a lathe and using a very sharp tool to turn off the aged layer. The surface was then soft and even and worked great. I dont know if I was just lucky that time. You also do need a lathe to do this!

16th Jul 2012, 5:06 pm	#1
Rick62008 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Braga, Portugal. Posts: 231	Would you advise this method to restore old pinchrollers or rubber parts? Hi again. If i have old audio or video equipment, with old pinchrollers that aren't cracked or hardened that only look a bit glossy or dirty, would it be advisable to restore them by softly sanding them with a emery board or a fine sandpaper or something else that doesn't hurt much the rubber? I would like to avoid replacing those parts if possible or even to resort to rubber rejuvenator. More tips would also be very much welcome. thank you in advance!

16th Jul 2012, 5:13 pm	#2
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,944	Re: Would you advise this method to restore old pinchrollers or rubber parts? This is a standard technique when restoring old pinch rollers or idler wheels. It doesn't always provide a complete fix but usually results in some improvement.

16th Jul 2012, 6:28 pm	#3
Rick62008 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Braga, Portugal. Posts: 231	Re: Would you advise this method to restore old pinchrollers or rubber parts? Well i recall reading this method a while ago but i thought it would be safer to ask someone who already did it. I guess i need to be very smooth with it so that i don't introduce ruff edges to the rubber resulting in a damaged tape afterwards.

17th Jul 2012, 5:52 pm	#4
camtechman Nonode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milton Keynes, Bucks. UK. Posts: 2,552	Re: Would you advise this method to restore old pinchrollers or rubber parts? I've resorted to that method on rim drive rubber clad reels, the one that suffer from a permanent indent from the small dc motor spindle (in the off position) __________________ When I die, please don't let my Wife sell my collection for the amount I told her I paid for it!

22nd Jul 2012, 2:15 pm	#5
saxmaniac Heptode Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Birmingham, West Midlands, UK. Posts: 618	Re: Would you advise this method to restore old pinchrollers or rubber parts? I did get away with putting a very bad turntable idler in a lathe and using a very sharp tool to turn off the aged layer. The surface was then soft and even and worked great. I dont know if I was just lucky that time. You also do need a lathe to do this!