You could try using an Electric parts cleaner. Too bad, all the radio repair guys are now gone, at least around me.
Royal Radio was a good place but it’s gone too. ABL in troy might look at it.
When I put my OG 8 track back in, I went to Royal Radio and they still had GM nos radio plug kits. I picked up a couple for my car, but luckily I didn’t need the plugs.

Now that I think about it, I have a 50’s radio, the tuner was dirty, I took it to an old radio place years ago, he sprayed the cleaner in the tuner, it worked, it took all the cracking noise out too.

Thank You

Rich

I use Deoxit D5 (and Deoxit Gold) to clean my old audio stuff. Works great! But beware some plastics will react and soften (and ruin something). So do a test first. The metal pots will be fine.

https://caig.com/deoxit-d5-instructi...cleaning-pots/

I’m looking for a 8 track “ Pinball head cleaner”

I've always collected 8tk tape players as well as hundreds of tapes.
Ever see a folding 8tk tape?They were meant to compete with cassettes.
...I've only seen three of these,and 2 of those I own now.

Wow never saw those before. How many were made and what bands used them? Maybe it was certain record labels?

That is cool.
I just picked up 2 nOS 8 tracks, LED Zep 1 and led Zep 2. I may sell. Hell of a find, still in the wrappers.
If pics would post here I’d toss up all my tapes for show and tell. Lol

I have a pretty big collection and growing. I just picked up Pink Floyd the Wall and a cool Jimi Hendrix tape as well as some ELO stuff..

Rich

Another question, what is the deal with some tapes playing better than others? I just picked up an NOS sealed tape, put it in the player and it destroyed the tape. Other tapes that look like hell play fantastic.

Rich