Cleaning sound films without any damage

[supa8]

Hi
When I clean films (using Wittner's super8 film cleaning product - or even with a white cotton cloth and no product), I have noticed that the magnetic sound track is leaving brown marks on the cloth.
Does this in any way damage the sound track?
Super8 sound track originally not being great, I wouldn't want to lower the quality further.
Thanks

[David M. Leugers]

Unless you are using some kind of cleaner that actually removes sound stripe (I don't know of any that do) then, NO. What you are seeing on the cloth is the flaking off of the sound stripe that normally occurs with stripe or any recording tape. Using a good quality cleaner actually helps the sound stripe by removing flaked off oxide that builds up on the sound heads and reduces the quality and volume of sound reproduced. Cleaned and lubed, the sound stripe flows easier under the heads producing better sound. You are not removing sound stripe, you are merely cleaning off the magnetic oxide that normally flakes off with time. One thing, always use a cotton cloth dampened with cleaner rather than dry when cleaning your films, you don't want to increase your chances of scratching your valuable film.

[bolextech]

I totally concur with Mr. Leugers. No danger to the sound stripe at all.

Cheers,
Jean-Louis