Trying to Revive OEM Stereo for Playing Cassette Tapes

[pentode]

Great news. Cassettes are underrated.

 

[Rick W]

View attachment 140297
Could this be what’s needs cleaning? Seems to be a pressure switch

I don’t know where you’d find a stereo shop these days that would have one, but if you look online, you can find a cassette “head cleaner.“. It looks just like a cassette tape, but the ribbon is a little rougher and it’s coated with whatever that will clean the head that reads the tapes. That’s what you want to clean the head.

 

[SenorNoob]

I remember those for VHS being just a cloth tape that you put a "cleaning solution" (I used alcohol) on. With the deck apart, I'd use a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Just be careful not to leave any fibers behind.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Yep, alcohol is the magical ingredient.

 

[Rick W]

Yep, alcohol is the magical ingredient.

Amen!! You can even use it for cleaning parts while drinking it!

 

[SenorNoob]

Please don't drink rubbing alcohol. Just wanna make that clear for the lurkers...

 

[pentode]

Please don't drink rubbing alcohol. Just wanna make that clear for the lurkers...

Feel free to clean your capstan with vodka or Everclear but don't clean your own plumbing with isopropyl.