How to Safely Clean Melted Belts in Vintage Audio Equipment

Many vintage audio enthusiasts face the problem of melted or sticky belts in their cassette decks, turntables, or other mechanical equipment. Unfortunately, using inappropriate products such as gasoline, thinners, or excessive isopropyl alcohol can cause irreversible damage to plastics, rubber, and internal finishes. We have received several emails showing the difficulty of cleaning melted belts, so we decided to create this informative blog.

Step-by-Step Safe Cleaning Guide

1. Disconnect the equipment from the power source and remove any belts that can still be reused.
2. Prepare the workspace: wear gloves, use a protective cloth, and work in a well-ventilated area.
3. Apply 96% ethyl alcohol:
   • Lightly moisten a cloth or cotton swab, or saturate the belt directly if it still holds its original shape.
   • Gently wipe the melted belts or pulleys.
   • Repeat as necessary, avoiding excess liquid on plastics or electronic components.
4. Remove loose residues: use a clean cloth or soft brush if needed.
5. Allow to dry completely before reinstalling or powering on the equipment.

Warning

Never use thinners, gasoline, or other aggressive solvents, as they can damage plastics, rubber, and internal finishes.

Why 96% Ethyl Alcohol is the Best Choice

• High purity: dissolves melted rubber residues without leaving traces.
• Fast evaporation: does not leave moisture that could affect motors, contacts, or electronic boards.
• Safe for plastics and metals: when used in small amounts, it does not damage the equipment structure.
• Precise application: can be applied with a brush, cotton swab, or cloth, controlling the amount without saturating components.
• More effective than isopropyl alcohol: although isopropyl alcohol also works, 96% ethyl alcohol is significantly more effective in completely removing residues without leaving marks.
• Based on our experience: when melted belts still retain their original shape, simply saturating them with 96% ethyl alcohol while placed on the capstan wheels and shafts allows them to easily detach, without the need to clean the residue they may generate.

Conclusion

96% ethyl alcohol is the most suitable product for this type of maintenance, ensuring effective cleaning without compromising the integrity of vintage equipment. While isopropyl alcohol works, it is not as effective as 96% ethyl alcohol. When melted belts still retain their original shape, ethyl alcohol allows them to detach easily without the need to clean the residue.

Practical Demonstration

For a visual demonstration of cleaning melted belts using 96% ethyl alcohol, watch the video below:

Common Names of 96% Ethyl Alcohol in EU, UK, USA, and Canada

Country	Common Name / Commercial Name
Germany	Ethanol 96% / Brennspiritus
Austria	Brennspiritus / Ethanol 96%
Belgium	Alcool 96% / Ethanol 96%
Bulgaria	Етанол (Ethanol) 96%
Cyprus	Αιθανόλη (Ethanol) 96%
Croatia	Etanol 96% / Rakija (distillate)
Denmark	Ethanol 96% / Renset Spiritus
Slovakia	Etanol 96% / Liehovina
Slovenia	Etanol 96% / Alkohol 96%
Spain	Etanol 96% / Alcohol Etílico 96%
Estonia	Etanool 96% / Alkohol 96%
Finland	Etanoli 96% / Alkohol 96%
France	Éthanol 96% / Alcool Éthylique 96%
Greece	Αιθανόλη (Ethanol) 96%
Hungary	Etanol 96% / Alkohol 96%
Ireland	Ethanol 96% / Pure Alcohol 96%
Italy	Etanolo 96% / Alcool Etílico 96%
Latvia	Etanols 96% / Alkohols 96%
Lithuania	Etanolis 96% / Alkoholis 96%
Luxembourg	Ethanol 96% / Alcool 96%
Malta	Alcohol Pur 96% / Etanol 96%
Netherlands	Ethanol 96% / Ethyl Alcohol 96%
Poland	Etanol 96% / Spirytus Rektyfikowany
Portugal	Álcool Etílico 96% / Álcool 96%
Czech Republic	Etanol 96% / Lieh 96%
Romania	Etanol 96% / Alcool 96%
Sweden	Etanol 96% / Etanol 96%
United Kingdom	Ethanol 96% / Pure Alcohol 96%
United States	Ethyl Alcohol 96% / Pure Ethanol
Canada	Ethanol 96% / Alcool Éthylique 96%