Lubricate Cassettes Tapes SAFELY! (Step-by-Step Tutorial)

[@flowerbasket2010]

As Q tips are sort of oval shaped and may not make even contact with the tape, I use a small fragment of soft cloth which I attach over the tape using a fine rubber band. This is then wet with a little silicone spray before inserting into a cassette player and the tape run from reel to reel twice. The tape must then be allowed to dry out thoroughly before playing. That way you will not get silicone on the parts of the cassette player. The cassette head does not make contact with the tape during FF or RW. Using a drill to move the tape could spell disaster as the power of the drill could cause it to snap off from the spool at the end.

[@grips33com]

Always use another cassette player is recommended when doing this with pure cotton Q Tip that is not Oval. Drill is most likely too strong and not recommended. Always let the silicone dry properly before playing, and if it comes on tape head's, pinch roller or capstan. Just clean it with Isopropyl alcohol. Watch other videos i have about this process.

[@kelpkelp5252]

You don't strictly need the cassette player, I used a drill with a Bic biro pen in :D

[@grips33com]

Cool :D. Best to do the job with a cassette player. But be sure the drill does not spin to fast. Heard someone used just a Bic pen and did it manually. For sure it will take a long time...Anything goes if it works.

[@bitterNDsweet]

Hei. Any experience with a teflon-based spray (wet)? I happen to have some Motip 0564 PTFE at hand.

[@grips33com]

No. It's only proven to work with silicone.

[@Mikexception]

You said to press reverse - I expect you wanted to say rewind? Anyway I would not try it - silicon is not drying agent and wil permanently affect friction between tape , rubber rollers and axes. In most cases faulty tape tape is molded and this should be to be washed and wiped dry.

[@grips33com]

You said to press reverse - I expect you wanted to say rewind? Yes It's actually proven to work, and it's being used as a lubricant in almost all cassette tapes that you buy. Just get the Wet version, Not the dry version of Silicone spray. Silicone will leave a protective film after it dries. It can in some cases bring the tape back to its original state, and play much better with an improvement of sound quality! Thanks for your input!

[@stefos6431]

Hi Grip, I have the same USB setup as you do........Can I use WD-40 Specialist Silicone Lubricant also? Thank you

[@grips33com]

Hi! You can use any brand of silicone spray as long it's the Wet version. Not the dry version, it can harm the tape instead. Good luck!

[@jasonwilliams6005]

How does the silicone not end up on the head and roller?

[@grips33com]

You must let the Silicone dry first. For me, best results will be after 4-5 days. If it will come on pinch-roller or heads, just clean it with Isopropyl alcohol.

[@jasonwilliams6005]

@@grips33com interesting. Thanks. I just junked a tape that would fast forward and rewind, but bogged down and stopped when playing. It was an old Alan Parsons Project "Turn of a Friendly Card" cassette. Next time I'll give this a try.

[@grips33com]

It will work for sure. Just let it stand for a few days.

[@jasonwilliams6005]

I've seen a hair dryer and dental pick method too. Have you tried it?

[@grips33com]

Heat will not lubricate the tape so its not an option. It can actually damage the tape in some cases instead.