Rust on tape heads

Gooijen> I would first check if the rust is actually from the metal Gooijen> of the head or just "rust" that has come off from an old Gooijen> tape ... that can probably be removed with a soft cloth. I Gooijen> am not so sure about using *any* fluid on the head! I do Gooijen> not have experience in this field, but don't those heads Gooijen> have a small slit / gap? (like all other magnetic heads) Gooijen> What will the fluid do when it get in that gap ...? Your guess about oxide from a tape sounds reasonable. Tape head gaps are filled with a nonmagnetic filler; they aren't open. Tape heads are designed to be cleaned with fluids. Head cleaner made for audio tape units should be fine. I have used good quality isopropyl alcohol, as well as politically incorrect fluorocarbon liquids. DECtapes (TU55/TU56) are the most abuse-resistant tape drives in recorded history, but they do like occasional cleaning. paul