Chris -
You might try speaking with a paper restoration expert or a bookbinder.
They deal with this sort of aggravation all the time. Ask if you should
use their recommended solutions under a hood - some of this stuff is
very uncool to your lungs.
Also, if you (or they) use anything that has an acidic component be sure
to neutralize the paper afterwards - otherwise the paper can degrade
significantly faster - you'll see this effect in old pulp paper that
browns easily (and then becomes brittle and flakes easily).
I hate the degradation you see in old foam packaging for components (esp
optical glass) which falls apart as soon as you try to remove it. Often
in those snap-shut plastic containers. Same issue. Ugh.
John
Chris Elmquist wrote:
I have a large collection of paper tapes that came
with a vintage Altair
680b and Teletype model 33 that I inherited. I've restored the machines
and have started looking at the tapes. Unfortunately, I have discovered
that the rubber bands that were used to keep the tapes rolled up have
all dissolved into a yucky gooey mess that is in most cases, stuck to
the tapes.
I'm pretty sure the oil on the tapes and 30+ yrs time have done this dirty
deed. Sadly, there were original, unopened MITS Altair editor/assembler
tapes, BASIC, etc. still sealed in their original packaging but the
rubber bands inside have melted all over the tapes.
Has anyone dealt with this kind of cleanup before? What are my best
options for solvents to get rid of what's left of the rubber without
damaging the tapes too much more?
What a mess.
Parents, talk to your children about rubber bands...
Chris