Cleaning Video Tapes

[ric499]

This is slightly off topic, but probably best posted here. I really am using a lot of this stuff to archive old video tapes. One problem I have come accross is that the old tapes get sticky which causes even more noise and dropped frames. There used to be several inexpensive cleaning products that seemed to work ok. Now I can only find a couple of high end specialty products (big machines starting at around $100 and going up from there. Anyone know of a simple effective solution for this? The one I used to have was essentially a tape re-winder with a wheel which you saturated with some sort of cleaner/lube. I'm not looking for VCR cleaners, those are still easy to find.

[Allan55]

Hi,

Absolutely NO guarantees for this but I've done it:

1. Remove the cover.

2. Insert a tape and "play" it.

3. Find a spot where you can get your fingers on both sides of the tape.

4. Wet (not dripping wet) some cotton swabs with 99% isopropanol (any drug store, cheap). Don't use rubbing alcohol, too much water in it.

5. Hold the swabs agains the tape while playing, repeat as necessary. You may have to change the swabs frequently.

If you can't fit your fingers around the tape during play, try during Non-playing FF or REW.

I suspect this shortens the life of the tape considerably (I don't have real knowledge here), but it doesn't affect short-term quality. I use it as a last-resort.

Remember: Absolutely NO guarantees

Good luck.

[ric499]

Thanks, I've tried something like that for "spot" cleaning before, but it's kind of a pain for cleaning a whole tape. There used to be all sorts of cheap boxes to clean tapes and at least the one I had worked pretty well. Was hoping someone knew one that was still available.

[Mirror_Image]

I remember those old cheap thingees, but $100 seems to be the cheapest retail solution I could find (although I didn't search very diligently).

[ric499]

$100 is fine, I was only finding $9,000!!!! I want a good quality one, just don't need a professional model that scans magnetic particle and tape density (no kidding that's what they say), etc. Just want a clean and maybe lube to clear up older tapes that have gotten sticky.

[ric499]

...plus was hoping to find one someone had tried. Know that these things can vary widely as far as the quality of the job they do. Also know that some can ruin tapes pretty quickly.