Idler Wheels

[tinkerbelt]

Does anyone know of a way to soften rubber that's gone hard with age? The 2 idler pulleys on my RCA / Collaro turntable have not gone rock hard but just hard enough to not drive properly. I dare say any NOS replacements I find will also be old enough to have gone the same way. If not, perhaps I could get them turned down and have a tyre made from softer rubber.

[Mooly]

Sounds weird but you can turn many tyres inside out... was done a lot in VCR service (rental only not paying customers)

[GTHICM]

Try these guys for a quality job of rebuilding the idler. Reasonable prices with fresh rubber. Turntable Idler Wheel Rebuilding Services. Turntable Basics. Parts and Accessories for Record Players. Turntable Belts and Idler Wheels.

[Hearinspace]

There is stuff sold to revitalize (give grip to) printer and copier rollers that may work if the rubber is not cracked but just shiny and hard. - I know of two - Re-Grip made by Rawn, and this stuff

If it turns out you need to have it rebuilt I believe the best guy in the US is probably Ed Crockett at Vintage Electronics or if you're in the EU there's this place .in Sweden (Don't know how good they are though.

[LAJ]

Try Armorall. Not sure if they have that where you are. Its available from many auto parts stores here in the US.
If that doesn't work, try Electronic Parts for VCRs, Guitar Amplfiers, Cassette Decks.** Speaker Repair Kits, Vacuum Tubes, Tools and more! for a replacement.

[tinkerbelt]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have emailed a place here in UK that does printing supplies. They have a product called Prima XXX which might be worth a try if I can get a small enough quantity.
Phil

[Mooly]

Never tried this stuff but it's been around for years,
AF(AUTOMATION FACILITIES)|PCL100|PLATEN CLEANER AND RESTORER, 100ML | CPC

have you tried roughing the surface lightly with fine glasspaper as the wheel revolves ?

[epitaxial]

I have had good results using G.C. Electronics Belt & Drive Non-Slip. It is a a type of resin coating for resurfacing original idler wheels. If you can't deglaze in idler wheel, it won't be able to be done with rubber renew or sand paper, but this coating has worked well for me. I coated the idler wheel while off the turntable, and waited a few days.

www.gcelectronics.com Part # 10-8602
Enter the part # in the search box and it will display details as well as the catalog page link that has the description.

Their Radio TV Service Cement is also a good speaker cone repair cement.

[BinaryMike]

If the idler wheels aren't too far gone, you can usually restore the surface by rubbing briskly with lacquer thinner or acetone. If more aggressive treatment is needed, then it's almost certain that replacement is the only long-term solution.

[Nanook]

this stuff should be outlawed in Northern climates

In northern climates, if shipped in winter, it easily freezes which causes a change in the fluid. This change results in a build up or "greying" of the rubber, and can cause the rubber to crack.


GM used to sell a silicon emulsion, to renew weather stripping etc. Another product is "Protectant 303". you can soak the rubber for almost any amount of time, and wipe off the excess. then use some good alcohol to clean the surface of the idler and its drive.