Use of MEK to restore idler wheel?

[cooperman]

I've tried wiping the surface of the wheel using a cotton bud dipped in MEK- seems to have no effect. I then tried immersing the wheel for a few minutes - that made the thinner part of the rubber towards the centre of the wheel becoming "rippled". That effect went away overnight. The edge of the wheel is still hard though.

I also tried brake fluid to no effect.

[nicam49]

Re the platenclene suggestion, when I went on a laser printer course, the instructor told us he uses a 50/50 mix of oil and washing up liquid as a platen conditioner if platenclene is not available. (veg oil, I think...)

[GMB]

The rippling is the warning that it is swelling up.

Getting hard rubber soft again is not the same as just cleaning it. In my experience it is difficult and depends on your luck.

For example, I had success with soaking one hardened rubber part in brake fluid - for days. But a different instance of the exact same part in the same condition would not soften at all, and eventually just cracked.

Oils and greases can be deadly - I totally ruined a rubber wheel by allowing some grease to get on it.

[retailer]

Doesn't take long to find various idler wheel refurb/fix solutions on youtube using things industrial belt conditioner and oil of wintergreen - here's the first 2 I found in a few mins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7w-AkZR604

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aKwAFoYDos

[Roger Ramjet]

Originally Posted by kalee20

It's not generally regarded as such!

When I worked in the print industry as a sparks, there were 5 x gallon tins of MEK readily available that was used in small quantities for by all maintenance staff degreasing

I often wonder if that played a part in the Renal cancer I was treated for in 2012.

Just saying..... be careful & don't let it get on bare hands [which is what I foolishly did].

Rog

[sparkymike]

I have used Plastidip liquid rubber with some success in the past.
Another method if you have a lathe, is to turn a grove in the edge of the wheel and fit a rubber 'O' ring. Works for me.
Mike.

[TIMTAPE]

Originally Posted by retailer

Doesn't take long to find various idler wheel refurb/fix solutions on youtube using things industrial belt conditioner and oil of wintergreen - here's the first 2 I found in a few mins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7w-AkZR604

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aKwAFoYDos

Thanks for the YT videos. I sometimes wonder though after watching such videos, for how long these solutions work.

[DMcMahon]

Another good shout for Plasti Dip at Post 25 of this linked Thread, I have yet to try it myself.

https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...d.php?t=196083

David

[sparkymike]

Plastidip is best used by dipping item into the liquid and suspending item over the tin and letting it drain off and not brushing it on, in my
experience of using it ,but other people may have better ideas?
Mike.

[sparkymike]

Photo of one I did for an RCA 45rpm multi record player.
Made in alloy with brass bush pressed in. The 'O' ring groove is half round, not a 'V' shape. For some reason this was just a trial one which I later discarded and made another.
Mike.-

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by HG MICKE

For cleaning and restoring the grip on idlers and pinch rollers I have had great success with Platenclene a product designed for print rollers. I have been using this for nearly 20 years and unlike most solvents it does not degrade the rubber over time.

Colin

Apart from being a good cleaner, personally I have had minimal success with it to restore rubber idlers, will give it another try today on my TK 40 fast forward wind idler that is playing up.

David

[Vintage Engr]

Depending on how bad the roller/idler is, I've always had good success with 'RRR' Rubber Roller Restorer.
It's not cheap, but seems fairly good. Made by Electrolube.

David.

[Cathovisor]

MEK and health risks: https://www.gov.uk/government/public...al-information

The MSDS I have read suggests the combustion products are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide - but it is highly flammable. None however give indication of it as a carcinogen.

[emeritus]

Now that I have checked further, the vapour that turns to poison gas (phosgene) when inhaled through a lit cigarette, is carbon tetrachloride, not MEK.

[nicam49]

Hi Cooperman! You've had a great response here, please let us know what you decide to do and what results you get... Good or bad!

[Keith956]

I used some stuff called 'Rubber Renue' from Amazon to renovate the pinch wheel on a Sony tape deck recently. Probably got a similar solvent in it, but it did the trick. It's expensive but a little goes a long way.

[cooperman]

Originally Posted by nicam49

Hi Cooperman! You've had a great response here, please let us know what you decide to do and what results you get... Good or bad!

Yes a greater response than I expected.

I've tried the MEK (applied for a brief period rather than prolonged soak) that seems to have had no effect.

I've tried soaking in brake fluid for several days, that had no effect either.

I've researched the wintergreen suggestion - my thinking is that it only works on a temporary basis.

I've tried filing the wheel down by a couple of millimetres - but failed to find any soft rubber.

Not sure what to do next - I'm a bit reluctant to shell out for more treatment products if they don't work or only work on a temporary basis.

[williamsunique]

Originally Posted by sparkymike

Photo of one I did for an RCA 45rpm multi record player.
Made in alloy with brass bush pressed in. The 'O' ring groove is half round, not a 'V' shape. For some reason this was just a trial one which I later discarded and made another.
Mike.-

Thank you for illustrating this. I will make an attempt to replicate a hardened rubber drive wheel from a Collaro recrd deck. I am a novice lathe user though.

Paul.

[sparkymike]

Hi Paul,
you are not limited to one grove. If space allows two 'O' rings might provide better traction. On the other hand if you could find a small flat belt, like a small wide elastic band, oblong section,you could machine an oblong groove to suit it.
Re Plasti Dip. It does work well and can be built up in layers to any thickness.
A slow job as you need to wait while each layer hardens.
Cost of a tin is only around £10.00 and lasts for years.
It could be used to build up the oblong rubber area in the method suggested above.
Mike.

[nicam49]

Someone on vinylengine (in the US) has used 2 inch heat shrink tubing to great success. Can't see any that size for sale over here (UK) tho'....
https://www.vinylengine.com/turntabl...p?f=18&t=98724

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