Turntable Maintainance

FWIW, a local modder who modified my vintage Thorens TD-166 MkII suggested I dust the belt with talc. As long as the excess talc is gently removed with a dry paper towel, he feels it will reduce the tendency of a rubber belt to stick, and thereby increase speed accuracy and belt life. Just my $0.02.

That's a good suggestion .. Bondmanp
I do the same too

Wouldn't alcohol dry out and eventually crack a belt and boiling it stretch it out and weaken it? I am surprised VPI recommended that; as a former TNT own we I don't remember that one! Talc I do remember and used it often.

Nope. They weren't rubber, so no worries with the alcohol. And the boiling process actually seemed to shrink the belts. In any event, they lasted close to forever. I replaced mine once in approx. 12 years and the new ones were no more stretched or damaged than the original ones.