How To Clean/Demagnetize Cassette Tape Deck Heads Part 1

A look at how to clean your cassette tape deck, tape recorder or even portable tape player's heads and potentially restore lost audio quality in the process. Doing this can also help to prevent tape "eating" incidents. This part of the video discusses cleaning capstan drives and pinch rollers.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• clean
• demagnetize
• cassette
• tape
• deck
• heads
• capstan
• pinch roller
• uxwbill

[WinbookXL3]

will it work will 8 track? players

[uxwbill]

@WinbookXL3 A similar procedure could be used with many 8-track players. Most of the time, you can see the playback/recording head by simply flipping up the door that closes when a cartridge is not in place. There is also a capstan in there to drive the tape. (With 8-tracks, the pinch roller is in the actual cartridge.)

I don't know if an 8-track deck that is capable of recording would have an erase head in place. Presumably it would. I do not own an 8-track deck that is capable of recording.

[UnknownTrickShooter]

@uxwbill is this how to get the original recording of a audio tape? even if it has been over recorded?

[uxwbill]

@UnknownTrickShooter If an audio or video tape has been recorded over, the old contents are very likely irrecoverable. This process removes an unwanted magnetic field that could cause poor sound quality from the tape heads.

[gmcnewlook]

what about car cassete  decks? how would you go about cleaning those? my car has one (altough i only use it listen to my ipod though the car stereo using an adapter) and its alot harder to clean

[uxwbill]

@gmcnewlook If you all you ever use is a cassette shell adapter, cleaning the unit isn't likely to ever be a problem. Some can be cleaned by hand if you can clearly see the heads, capstan drives and pinch roller when you flip open the cassette door.

Otherwise, it is pretty much as rhblakeman said...use a wet cleaning tape or take the unit out and apart.

[TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

I have never come across a full-logic deck that I cannot engage Play without a tape. Just open the tape door and press the little lever or switch at the top center of the well (opposite side from the tape head). While holding that lever/switch in you can press play and it "should" stay running. I, personally, have never had a deck stop once I let go of that lever. Makes cleaning very easy.

[MrSethJM]

Hello uxwbill, I am wondering whether you can answer a general cassette deck question for me. I have a Sony TC-WE425 deck which says it has a "high density head" to provide better frequency response. Is this really a deluxe feature, is it helpful, and is it unique or is it actually a standard feature found in comparable decks but Sony just mentioned it for marketing purposes?

[shoprat17]

@uxwbill 8 track has only 2 heads, the playback/record/erase head and a sensing head and the capstan. iso alcohol and q tips work great for all 3 normally but if the sensing head is very tarnished you can use a paper towel and brasso to polish it (sensing head is all the way to left and is solid brass. Also for demagnetizing you can use a soldering gun (not an iron)

[TheCatMilton]

and that would really reuin your day....

[Lachlant1984]

I remember when doing work experience at a radio station some years ago being shown how to clean the heads and pinch roller on a reel to reel deck, it was interesting and not really that difficult because the heads on those things are usually very open and expose, very easy to get to.