Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

James B · 20th Mar 2007, 11:17 pm

Hello again!

I've been researching proper cleaning products for restoring pinch rollers, and keep coming back to the Caig stuff. But it only seems to be sold in the states, or the company want about 35 dollars to ship it to me!

Does anyone know of a similar recommended product in the UK?

New pinch rollers seem to be too expensive!

J

arjoll · 21st Mar 2007, 8:51 am

There is a NZ distributor for Caig who stocks the rubber cleaner so I'd be surprised if there wasn't one in the UK (a significantly bigger market!). A quick google throws up this company who do some Caig products - the rubber cleaners aren't there but it would be worthwhile contacting them to see if they can bring some in with their next shipment.

If the pinch roller is too far gone the best bet seems to be Terry's Rubber Rollers who can remanufacture it for you.

Mike Phelan · 21st Mar 2007, 9:12 am

We always used either meths or IPA for all tape path cleaning. (Isopropanol, not the Greene King sort.)

arjoll · 21st Mar 2007, 10:40 am

I've read on a number of forums that alcohol is not an ideal cleaner for rubber parts such as pinch rollers. That might not be 100% correct, but I've read more against using it than I have for using it!

For the rest of the tape path I use 100% IPA.

reelguy · 21st Mar 2007, 11:27 am

Reelguy here,

The trouble with pinch rollers is that they aren't all made of the same type of rubber or synthetic rubber. So what works ok on one pinch roller may ruin another.
If its only slightly dirty, I use a water moistened cloth dipped lightly in washing up liquid. Rub gently and dry properly. Otherwise I have used surgical spirit from the chemist or pharmacist ! { isopropanol}. Always dry the roller straight away after cleaning. I have used this method for years without problems.
35 dollars would probably buy a new or rebuilt pinch wheel. { Or even another recorder

}
Regrds . Peter W Reelguy.

ppppenguin · 21st Mar 2007, 11:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelguy

....surgical spirit from the chemist or pharmacist ! { isopropanol}.....

AFAIK, surgical spirit is about 90% ethanol, 5% methanol, 5% water and a touch of oil of wintergreen to make it smell horrible. In other words the same as methylated spirits but without the blue dye or the pyridine.

Roger13 · 21st Mar 2007, 11:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Phelan

We always used either meths or IPA for all tape path cleaning. (Isopropanol, not the Greene King sort.)

Hi.

I've been playing around with these things now for 44 years and I've always used meths (IPA always seemed rather ineffective) and I have never experienced a problem with adverse reactions.

Could be that I've just been lucky though!

Regards,

Roger.

Mike Phelan · 21st Mar 2007, 1:16 pm

I suppose that just a wipe rather than a soak won't do very much harm to anything.
You could even mix distilled water with any of the alcohols to "dilute" them.

If all else fails, just get a crate of the other sort of IPA and a bottle opener.

Zulu95 · 21st Mar 2007, 1:29 pm

Do not use alcohol to clean rubber it dries it out. When I worked at photocopiers we had a special cleaner for pickup wheels etc. Cost quite a lot for a small bottle but worked very well. I bought some for my Tandberg but it did not keep very well and evaporated over time.
You could try some of the local copier supply houses as I'm sure it's still made.

Welsh Anorak · 21st Mar 2007, 2:32 pm

Hi
We use a small spray called 'platenclene' intended for typewrites. Smelly but works - and doesn't harm rubber. CPC stock it under SAPCL100 and is less than a fiver. It cleans off the oxide - of course it can't perform miracles and de-groove a roller - but it's certainly less aggressive than IPA or 1.1.0 trichloroethane.
Might try Greene King, though....

Glyn

mitajohn · 21st Mar 2007, 3:01 pm

Hi all,

The traditional way to clean the parts which are come to contact with the tape (guides, rollers, heads...) is the use of "isopropyl alcohol" and is the best.

James B · 21st Mar 2007, 3:20 pm

Yeah, I use IPA on the tape path and heads, but it's just the rubber roller than could use something better. Considering it's a 37 year old bit of rubber, I'm cautious about cleaning it with anything but a recommended product!

I will check out Terry's rubber rollers, as my Tandberg 92 could use a new one as well really. If it's not too expensive, a new roller might just be better.

Mike Phelan · 21st Mar 2007, 6:25 pm

Are they all actually rubber, though?

igranic · 21st Mar 2007, 7:47 pm

The best stuff I have found is RRR Rubber Roller Restorer, made by Electrolube, and available from CPC as part number SA01296 at £5.13 (plus VAT). It seems to be really effective at bringing back the grip.

Skywave · 21st Mar 2007, 8:12 pm

I am still using IPA to clean the pinch wheel and heads on a 30-year old Akai 4000DS reel-reel machine without any trouble at all. Always have done - and probably always will. Works for me!

Al / Skywave.

Skywave · 21st Mar 2007, 8:21 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulu95

Do not use alcohol to clean rubber it dries it out. When I worked at photocopiers we had a special cleaner for pickup wheels etc.

Is there any moisture content in the material that pinch wheels are typically made of - which may be "rubber" ?

As I recall, the favourite for cleaning pickup rollers in photocopiers and the like (laser printers, et al) was trichlorotriflouroethane - which evaporates very fast! Probably unobtainable these days - ozone layer protection, etc.

Al / Skywave

Zulu95 · 21st Mar 2007, 9:51 pm

Not to mention it does a number on your liver and lungs!

I did a search on alltheweb.com and found a number of different rubber cleaners. RS and your local XXXXXinone supplier has them.

James B · 21st Mar 2007, 9:55 pm

I did find that problem when looking for product too: A lot of stuff that used to be made for cleaning rubber has now been banned because of the chemicals in it!

Can't have any fun anymore can we!

James B · 21st Mar 2007, 11:32 pm

Thanks Igranic, I have ordered that RRR stuff from CPC (so many initials!)

Let's see if it makes a bit of an improvement before I opt for a new roller!

DOFFERY · 23rd Mar 2007, 9:33 am

We have seen many comments on the uses/products regarding pinch rollers, alas no one has given details of what "their" rollers require, cleaning off oxide, trying to restore the surface etc. etc. There are many products out there , many in my opinion of little use & some actually destructive. Regarding the RR restorer , personally I have found this a complete waste on the majority of rollers.

Without doubt the safer cleaners are as some replies have commented on IPA,meths, or the special head cleaner spray. Unless one is carrying out mass cleaning of rollers some of the more exclusive cleaners are not economic.

James in reply to your query re. your Tandberg roller I would NOT suggest using the RR restorer !!!!!!

Regarding the actual surface restoration (not groove rings or chips) I have found a very fine emery or similar abrasive on a flat piece of wood suitable (on the bench) plus a little patience & judicious use of the roller on the board. I would not claim it to be 100% on all rollers but in many cases the rollers come up in almost pristine condition, the Akai 4000 type large roller being a case in point In these days of rare spares & the pinch rollers being one of these take care of the rollers, as for re rubbering this can be almost as expensive as a new item(if available)

Where the roller has lost it's shape, gone very soft, is concave ,no restorer I have found will assist bin it ,new .... .. .. or rerubbered as a last resort.

Hope this helps .

Doffery.

20th Mar 2007, 11:17 pm	#1
James B Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Retford, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 181	Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner Hello again! I've been researching proper cleaning products for restoring pinch rollers, and keep coming back to the Caig stuff. But it only seems to be sold in the states, or the company want about 35 dollars to ship it to me! Does anyone know of a similar recommended product in the UK? New pinch rollers seem to be too expensive! J

21st Mar 2007, 8:51 am	#2
arjoll Dekatron Join Date: May 2006 Location: Invercargill, New Zealand Posts: 3,458	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner There is a NZ distributor for Caig who stocks the rubber cleaner so I'd be surprised if there wasn't one in the UK (a significantly bigger market!). A quick google throws up this company who do some Caig products - the rubber cleaners aren't there but it would be worthwhile contacting them to see if they can bring some in with their next shipment. If the pinch roller is too far gone the best bet seems to be Terry's Rubber Rollers who can remanufacture it for you.

21st Mar 2007, 9:12 am	#3
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner We always used either meths or IPA for all tape path cleaning. (Isopropanol, not the Greene King sort.) __________________ Mike.

21st Mar 2007, 10:40 am	#4
arjoll Dekatron Join Date: May 2006 Location: Invercargill, New Zealand Posts: 3,458	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner I've read on a number of forums that alcohol is not an ideal cleaner for rubber parts such as pinch rollers. That might not be 100% correct, but I've read more against using it than I have for using it! For the rest of the tape path I use 100% IPA.

21st Mar 2007, 11:27 am	#5
reelguy Heptode Join Date: May 2003 Location: Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex, UK. Posts: 746	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner Reelguy here, The trouble with pinch rollers is that they aren't all made of the same type of rubber or synthetic rubber. So what works ok on one pinch roller may ruin another. If its only slightly dirty, I use a water moistened cloth dipped lightly in washing up liquid. Rub gently and dry properly. Otherwise I have used surgical spirit from the chemist or pharmacist ! { isopropanol}. Always dry the roller straight away after cleaning. I have used this method for years without problems. 35 dollars would probably buy a new or rebuilt pinch wheel. { Or even another recorder } Regrds . Peter W Reelguy.

21st Mar 2007, 1:16 pm	#8
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner I suppose that just a wipe rather than a soak won't do very much harm to anything. You could even mix distilled water with any of the alcohols to "dilute" them. If all else fails, just get a crate of the other sort of IPA and a bottle opener. __________________ Mike.

21st Mar 2007, 1:29 pm	#9
Zulu95 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Savannah, Georgia, USA. Posts: 31	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner Do not use alcohol to clean rubber it dries it out. When I worked at photocopiers we had a special cleaner for pickup wheels etc. Cost quite a lot for a small bottle but worked very well. I bought some for my Tandberg but it did not keep very well and evaporated over time. You could try some of the local copier supply houses as I'm sure it's still made.

21st Mar 2007, 2:32 pm	#10
Welsh Anorak Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: North Wales, UK. Posts: 6,927	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner Hi We use a small spray called 'platenclene' intended for typewrites. Smelly but works - and doesn't harm rubber. CPC stock it under SAPCL100 and is less than a fiver. It cleans off the oxide - of course it can't perform miracles and de-groove a roller - but it's certainly less aggressive than IPA or 1.1.0 trichloroethane. Might try Greene King, though.... Glyn

21st Mar 2007, 3:01 pm	#11
mitajohn Pentode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 197	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner Hi all, The traditional way to clean the parts which are come to contact with the tape (guides, rollers, heads...) is the use of "isopropyl alcohol" and is the best. __________________ Regards, John

21st Mar 2007, 3:20 pm	#12
James B Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Retford, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 181	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner Yeah, I use IPA on the tape path and heads, but it's just the rubber roller than could use something better. Considering it's a 37 year old bit of rubber, I'm cautious about cleaning it with anything but a recommended product! I will check out Terry's rubber rollers, as my Tandberg 92 could use a new one as well really. If it's not too expensive, a new roller might just be better.

21st Mar 2007, 6:25 pm	#13
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner Are they all actually rubber, though? __________________ Mike.

21st Mar 2007, 7:47 pm	#14
igranic Rest in Peace Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Bedfordshire, UK. Posts: 395	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner The best stuff I have found is RRR Rubber Roller Restorer, made by Electrolube, and available from CPC as part number SA01296 at £5.13 (plus VAT). It seems to be really effective at bringing back the grip.

21st Mar 2007, 8:12 pm	#15
Skywave Rest in Peace Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chard, South Somerset, UK. Posts: 7,457	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner I am still using IPA to clean the pinch wheel and heads on a 30-year old Akai 4000DS reel-reel machine without any trouble at all. Always have done - and probably always will. Works for me! Al / Skywave.

21st Mar 2007, 9:51 pm	#17
Zulu95 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Savannah, Georgia, USA. Posts: 31	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner Not to mention it does a number on your liver and lungs! I did a search on alltheweb.com and found a number of different rubber cleaners. RS and your local XXXXXinone supplier has them.

21st Mar 2007, 9:55 pm	#18
James B Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Retford, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 181	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner I did find that problem when looking for product too: A lot of stuff that used to be made for cleaning rubber has now been banned because of the chemicals in it! Can't have any fun anymore can we!

21st Mar 2007, 11:32 pm	#19
James B Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Retford, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 181	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner Thanks Igranic, I have ordered that RRR stuff from CPC (so many initials!) Let's see if it makes a bit of an improvement before I opt for a new roller!

23rd Mar 2007, 9:33 am	#20
DOFFERY Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 1,488	Re: Pinch Roller Rubber Cleaner We have seen many comments on the uses/products regarding pinch rollers, alas no one has given details of what "their" rollers require, cleaning off oxide, trying to restore the surface etc. etc. There are many products out there , many in my opinion of little use & some actually destructive. Regarding the RR restorer , personally I have found this a complete waste on the majority of rollers. Without doubt the safer cleaners are as some replies have commented on IPA,meths, or the special head cleaner spray. Unless one is carrying out mass cleaning of rollers some of the more exclusive cleaners are not economic. James in reply to your query re. your Tandberg roller I would NOT suggest using the RR restorer !!!!!! Regarding the actual surface restoration (not groove rings or chips) I have found a very fine emery or similar abrasive on a flat piece of wood suitable (on the bench) plus a little patience & judicious use of the roller on the board. I would not claim it to be 100% on all rollers but in many cases the rollers come up in almost pristine condition, the Akai 4000 type large roller being a case in point In these days of rare spares & the pinch rollers being one of these take care of the rollers, as for re rubbering this can be almost as expensive as a new item(if available) Where the roller has lost it's shape, gone very soft, is concave ,no restorer I have found will assist bin it ,new .... .. .. or rerubbered as a last resort. Hope this helps . Doffery.