Rust on tape heads - test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

30 Aug 2004

Hi
 If the heads themselves have some rust, you need to polish
the heads a little before dragging tapes across it. The rust
pits will have sharp edges on them that will damage the tapes.
You should use a fine polishing compound, like jewelers rouge
or cerium oxide to burnish the edges so they don't do more
damage.
Dwight

...
 From: "Gooijen H" &lt;GOOI(a)oce.nl&gt;

I would first check if the rust is actually from the metal of the
head or just "rust" that has come off from an old tape ... that
can probably be removed with a soft cloth.
I am not so sure about using *any* fluid on the head!
I do not have experience in this field, but don't those heads have
a small slit / gap?  (like all other magnetic heads)
What will the fluid do when it get in that gap ...?

- Henk.

  -----Original Message-----
 From: cctalk-bounces(a)classiccmp.org
 [mailto:cctalk-bounces@classiccmp.org]On Behalf Of Robert Krten
 Sent: zaterdag 28 augustus 2004 12:40
 To: cctech(a)classiccmp.org
 Subject: Rust on tape heads

 I've noticed a few spots of rust on some TU55 tape heads that
 I have.  I'm wondering what I should do about it in the short
 term -- I've had an idea of putting something on the heads
 and then cleaning it off later, like oil or vaseline or... ?

 Any suggestions?

 Is there anything I can do with the heads later to clean the
 rust off?  Are they totally hosed, or will they still work?
 This is on my "todo list" as far as restoration goes, just
 haven't gotten to it yet, but wanted to prevent any further
 damage if possible...

 Thanks in advance,
 -RK

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