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8-track head cleaning?

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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 10:21 PM
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8-track head cleaning?

Yea yea, don't laugh. I've still got my old head cleaning tape, but the problem is the cleaning fluid is long gone.
What should I use to clean the heads?

BTW, my fav 8-track is the Beach boys-Endless summer. Pop them in in the 64 Ranchero, roll the window down and go for a cruise. Can't beat it.

Thanks guys.
 
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Old Jan 9, 2009 | 10:34 PM
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Most cleaning fluids are just rubbing alcohol. It works fine for VHS and cassette tapes.
 
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Old Jan 10, 2009 | 08:47 AM
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8-track holy cow, you mean it still even works ? Do you have to wedge a match book under the tape ?
 
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 09:57 AM
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Hahaha, sounds like you remember the ole 8-tracks. If the thing dosen't get used for awhile then yea, you need a matchbook, once it has played for a bit it plays fine, even without the match book.


Thanks for the tip on the rubbing alcohol.
 
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 12:56 PM
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Depends on the brand of rubbing alcohol. Some of the stuff might have more additives in it that will gum up the works.
When I had my old 4 track later 8 track, I used denatured alcohol or in a pinch, Everclear. It's pure grain alcohol with no additives

Rex
 
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Old Jan 12, 2009 | 06:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Old Ford Blue
Hahaha, sounds like you remember the ole 8-tracks. If the thing dosen't get used for awhile then yea, you need a matchbook, once it has played for a bit it plays fine, even without the match book.


Thanks for the tip on the rubbing alcohol.
Yep, I remember those days, you never went anywhere without a book of matches. You know they've made many technological advances since then don't you ????? Also like rexster314 mentioned I would use denatured alcohol, don't use everclear, you'll get to drunk.
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 12:07 PM
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Only drink the same amount of Everclear as the amount you use on the qtips, you'll be ok

Rex
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 07:01 PM
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It isn't as fun that way.
 
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Old Jan 13, 2009 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by madsonp
It isn't as fun that way.
Don't get me started on telling about my college days doing everclear shots and beer chasers.
When I think about it, it still hurts

Rex
 
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Old Jan 14, 2009 | 11:01 AM
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Denatured, got it. What do you mean by advances in technology? lol. Both my Grand Wagoneer have cassettes, my 73 has a cassette, and the 67 has a cd with digital inputs as well as being sattelite ready. It even tells you the name of the song when your listening to a CD. Pretty wild, I know.

Still can't beat the 8-track:-P
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 02:00 AM
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Isopropanol is often used for head cleaner. Denatured is ethyl alcohol (booze) with something unpleasant added.

I picked up an old under-dash Motorola 8-track at a swap meet last summer, but it's going to be gutted so I can stick a harddrive/flash memory player in there.
 
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Old Jan 20, 2009 | 08:51 AM
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Non-drinking alcohol has to have Methanol added to it so the ATF can be sure that they are collecting all of the available taxes. Methanol is what would leave the shine drinkers dead or blind.
 
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