I have to disagree with you on this, head cleaner is for heads. On rubber, use rubber cleaner/conditioner made specifically for that purpose. Anything else will damage rubber over time. I've used head cleaner for cleaning pinch rollers, idlers and platters (on cassette decks, TTs �and printers, respectively) for years. They do not seem to perish any faster than the average. Head cleaners are mosttly Iso-Propyl Alcohol. � Why use something that's known to dry out and damage rubber when there's something made specifically for the purpose of cleaning and conditioning rubber parts? Because alcohol works better than the 'rubber conditioner'.

Why use something that's known to dry out and damage rubber when there's something made specifically for the purpose of cleaning and conditioning rubber parts? Because alcohol works better than the 'rubber conditioner'. Not if you know how to use the rubber conditioner. It is a total PITA to use, but it works very well. Alcohol dries out pinch rollers. Another excellent product for cleaning pinch rollers is 409 household cleaner. Richard H. Kuschel I canna change the law of physics.

Why use something that's known to dry out and damage rubber when there's something made specifically for the purpose of cleaning and conditioning rubber parts? Because alcohol works better than the 'rubber conditioner'. Not if you know how to use the rubber conditioner. It is a total PITA to use, but it works very well. Alcohol dries out pinch rollers. Another excellent product for cleaning pinch rollers is 409 household cleaner. Which contains isopropanol, grease cutter and �surfactants. Yet, you _object_ to isopropyl alcohol???

Why use something that's known to dry out and damage rubber when there's something made specifically for the purpose of cleaning and conditioning rubber parts? Because alcohol works better than the 'rubber conditioner'. Ask any of the major manufacturers of tape decks, and see if any of them support your view on this. Or ask anyone versed in the chemistry of such rubber products and see if any of them support your view. There's a reason they make head cleaner, there's a reason they make rubber cleaner/conditioner. Use the correct tool for the job. By the way, the rubber cleaner/conditioner isn't that tough to use once you get the hang of it. Don't saturate the surface of the pinch roller so much that the capstan won't turn it. Use enough so that it's just wet enough to start taking crud off the surface of the pinch roller. When the dirt stops coming off, immediately hit it with a couple of dry swabs to remove the excess.

By the way, the rubber cleaner/conditioner isn't that tough to use once you get the hang of it. Don't saturate the surface of the pinch roller so much that the capstan won't turn it. Use enough so that it's just wet enough to start taking crud off the surface of the pinch roller. When the dirt stops coming off, immediately hit it with a couple of dry swabs to remove the excess. No one says (or thinks, AFAIK) that runbber conditioner is hard to use. it's just not as effective as MEK or alcohol.

Why use something that's known to dry out and damage rubber when there's something made specifically for the purpose of cleaning and conditioning rubber parts? Because alcohol works better than the 'rubber conditioner'. Ask any of the major manufacturers of tape decks, and see if any of them support your view on this. Or ask anyone versed in the chemistry of such rubber products and see if any of them support your view. Or ask techs that have been servicing equipment for over 20 years. Like me. Its always worked fine on my projects. Dunno what all the fuss is about?