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.
Sounds weird but you can turn many tyres inside out... was done a lot in VCR service (rental only 🙂 not paying customers)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Phil
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 ?
AF(AUTOMATION FACILITIES)|PCL100|PLATEN CLEANER AND RESTORER, 100ML | CPC
have you tried roughing the surface lightly with fine glasspaper as the wheel revolves ?
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.
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.
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.
no!, not Armour-All
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.
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.
Silicon rejuvenates rubber, but makes stuff very slippery!
The best stuff is the grease from plumbers shops..
The best stuff is the grease from plumbers shops..
I thought soaking in brake fluid was supposed to be a good rubber restoration. Has worked for me. But I'm not sure I'd use it on an idler wheel!
In motorcycle restoration they use Wintergreen oil to restore
old rubber parts. The technique is to simmer the rubber in a solution of 4-8 oz Wintergreen to about a gallon of water at 200F for about 10 min. Let it
simmer longer if needed.
I've never tried this with idler wheels, so try it with some parts you don't need first!
old rubber parts. The technique is to simmer the rubber in a solution of 4-8 oz Wintergreen to about a gallon of water at 200F for about 10 min. Let it
simmer longer if needed.
I've never tried this with idler wheels, so try it with some parts you don't need first!
Hi
My Lenco suffered from similar "hard rubber" syndrome on the idler tyre when I first bought it
Can't remember where I found it but the tip was to soak the tyre (complete with wheel if it can't be removed) in neat washing-up liquid for around 4 hours
It worked fine and it's still running properly after around two years
Thumbs up, Fairy Liquid !
My Lenco suffered from similar "hard rubber" syndrome on the idler tyre when I first bought it
Can't remember where I found it but the tip was to soak the tyre (complete with wheel if it can't be removed) in neat washing-up liquid for around 4 hours
It worked fine and it's still running properly after around two years
Thumbs up, Fairy Liquid !
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Unfortunately don't have that brand of dishwashing detergent around here.. Any idea whether there is anything specifically special about the formulation like skin softener, organic, unusual surfactants, etc?
If the rubber won't restore, using any of the above suggestions, another option is to take a fraction off the diameter (if possible using a lathe) then use a drive belt or even a elastic band of the correct diameter stretched over it as a tyre.
Worked fine for me and very easy to replace as needed.
Worked fine for me and very easy to replace as needed.
Hi
Found the tip in my e-mail inbox after some searching
I was advised to use concentrated liquid soap like "Ajax or Dawn" neither of which are available over here but may be easily picked up in the 'States. Do use it neat though, no water
As mentioned, I used "Fairy Liquid" which is similar and inocuous, so even it didn't work it was unlikely to damage
Plus, my idler wheel and tyre have never been so soft and gentle ....
Give it a try and do report back !
Found the tip in my e-mail inbox after some searching
I was advised to use concentrated liquid soap like "Ajax or Dawn" neither of which are available over here but may be easily picked up in the 'States. Do use it neat though, no water
As mentioned, I used "Fairy Liquid" which is similar and inocuous, so even it didn't work it was unlikely to damage
Plus, my idler wheel and tyre have never been so soft and gentle ....
Give it a try and do report back !
Thanks for the replies. I had not checked this thread as I was overseas for some weeks. I am trying the washing up liquid method as I write this so will report back. The Collaro / RCA is only one of their lower end models and I only really bought it to break up for the arm, to use on my 1930s HMV radiogram which currently has a steel needle pickup. The deck is in such nice condition though I'm now loathe to break it. I've since been given a tatty single speed Collaro deck that I can rob for an arm to modernise the HMV.
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