No idea if cleaning encoder strip will help, but wanted to chime in...
It's been a long while, I'll defer to someone else to answer whether to use a lint free dry cloth, or a moist one, or high percentage rubbing alcohol. So I can't tell you which of these to do.
BUT, I did want to add in to be very careful with the encoder strip. I remember they are very fragile and susceptible to being scratched. I treated mine like it was fragile like glass back then, and got through it OK.
If you want to get it all, you'll have to get under the head carriage -- do that by making the carriage move like during init, then lifting hood to stop it or something like that.
Also, I'll defer to someone else on this as well.... But my gut is saying you don't want to remove the strip, and want to clean it in place. I think (but can't swear) that if it's moved you have alignment issues to deal with.
