Best way to clean VCR heads

[n8tvm]

I used to work in a TV shop back in the 80s and 90s. we found the best way was to take 2 nice clean crisp 1$ bills and fold them into 1/4 dip one of them into denatured alcohol (we had a dummy cassette so it would go into play mode) with the head spinning gently press the wet end against it while holding the other end then repeat with the dry one. Make sure it is dry before you insert a tape.

[johnmeyer]

The cleaning tapes which used chamois and cleaning solution (rather than abrasive tape) were actually not only safe but reasonably effective.

Which cleaning tapes used chamois?

This is the one I still own. I haven't used it in years, so I suspect the chamois may be pretty stiff:

Allsop V VHS Head Cleaning Videocassette Non-Abrasive Wet Kit

[TOM11]

I haven't used it in years, so I suspect the chamois may be pretty stiff:

And is it good situation??
Do you not recommend dry/wet from renowned brands such as JVC, BASF, etc.?

[johnmeyer]

I haven't used it in years, so I suspect the chamois may be pretty stiff:

And is it good situation??
Do you not recommend dry/wet from renowned brands such as JVC, BASF, etc.?

The translation may not be accurate because I am not sure what you mean.

I am not an expert who can tell you what cleaning cassettes were available thirty years ago, back when they were being manufactured and sold. The only brand that I know about which used a chamois and alcohol solution, just like a professional would use, was the Allsop brand that I already linked to.

[Barrythecrab]

I used to work in a TV shop back in the 80s and 90s. we found the best way was to take 2 nice clean crisp 1$ bills and fold them into 1/4 dip one of them into denatured alcohol (we had a dummy cassette so it would go into play mode) with the head spinning gently press the wet end against it while holding the other end then repeat with the dry one. Make sure it is dry before you insert a tape.

These days, due to inflation, do you think a $20 bill would work better?

[johnnycage15]

I used to work in a TV shop back in the 80s and 90s. we found the best way was to take 2 nice clean crisp 1$ bills and fold them into 1/4 dip one of them into denatured alcohol (we had a dummy cassette so it would go into play mode) with the head spinning gently press the wet end against it while holding the other end then repeat with the dry one. Make sure it is dry before you insert a tape.

These days, due to inflation, do you think a $20 bill would work better?

For even more effective cleaning, we need to use modern methods, particularly PayPass.

[dellsam34]

12voltvids uses the back of his finger nail and gently touch the spinning heads, It works instantly.

[Bwaak]

12voltvids uses the back of his finger nail and gently touch the spinning heads, It works instantly.

He mentioned it, but did not explain how exactly to do it. Just the back of a nail? Not the edge?

[VR20D]

Hi guys, quick question on cleaning video heads: what's wrong with using a strip of white printer paper + 99.9% IPA?

Can I use these: https://www.temu.com/goods.html?goods_id=601103207059097

Also confused about drum direction, clockwise or counter-clockwise? (No up/down, got it, but Google has mixed opinions.)

Thanks!

[Quasipal]

Hi guys, quick question on cleaning video heads: what's wrong with using a strip of white printer paper + 99.9% IPA?

Can I use these: https://www.temu.com/goods.html?goods_id=601103207059097

Also confused about drum direction, clockwise or counter-clockwise? (No up/down, got it, but Google has mixed opinions.)

Thanks!

Item is sold out so I cannot see it.

Paper and IPA is useful for heavy contamination. I use it occasionally. However the paper is abrasive and when used on clean heads you can see that actual video head material is deposited on the paper (easy to see when its the green Panasonic heads). So people cleaning usual grey/black colour heads will keep seeing 'dirt' left on the paper when in fact its just video head material. I use in conjunction with a powerful loupe and point light source to see when heavy dirt is removed and I can work with softer less harsh cleaning methods and materials.

Always rotate drum clockwise.

Also paper and IPA does nothing to clean out the grooves on the drum. For that a fine plastic pick is needed. Plus loupe and light. You really need to look super close at the head to see the clumps of residue and work on them rather than just consider everything dirty. Residue builds on the drum directly around the head chip. This can be difficult to remove. IPA often doesn't touch it as it is tape lubrication build-up, not oxide.

[VR20D]

Hi, thanks for the reply. It's this one:

If I search for Chamois Swabs, I get crazy prices. Not saying I don't want to spend money, but that's ridiculous in my opinion.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GRM4XQ2

Hi guys, quick question on cleaning video heads: what's wrong with using a strip of white printer paper + 99.9% IPA?

Can I use these: https://www.temu.com/goods.html?goods_id=601103207059097

Also confused about drum direction, clockwise or counter-clockwise? (No up/down, got it, but Google has mixed opinions.)

Thanks!

Item is sold out so I cannot see it.

Paper and IPA is useful for heavy contamination. I use it occasionally. However the paper is abrasive and when used on clean heads you can see that actual video head material is deposited on the paper (easy to see when its the green Panasonic heads). So people cleaning usual grey/black colour heads will keep seeing 'dirt' left on the paper when in fact its just video head material. I use in conjunction with a powerful loupe and point light source to see when heavy dirt is removed and I can work with softer less harsh cleaning methods and materials.

Always rotate drum clockwise.

Also paper and IPA does nothing to clean out the grooves on the drum. For that a fine plastic pick is needed. Plus loupe and light. You really need to look super close at the head to see the clumps of residue and work on them rather than just consider everything dirty. Residue builds on the drum directly around the head chip. This can be difficult to remove. IPA often doesn't touch it as it is tape lubrication build-up, not oxide.

[swiego]

A few years ago I got to chat with a retired JVC, drum electronics designer, and happened to ask him a bunch of questions, including drum cleaning he said they typically used the equivalent of kimtech chem wipes with IPA in the lab and it worked fine, so I’ve been doing that ever since. Works great, safe, and you can control the pressure with your finger.

[VR20D]

The Chamois Swabs are available again in my country at the regular price, so I bought them. I don’t want to take any risks.

[Quasipal]

The Chamois Swabs are available again in my country at the regular price, so I bought them. I don’t want to take any risks.

Best idea. Don't forget to clean the lower head drum too (below the spinning head) as tape residue builds on this as well. Especially against the little ledge the tape is guided by. Dirt here increases tape drag /tension.

[GAhere]

Hi, thanks for the reply. It's this one:

If I search for Chamois Swabs, I get crazy prices. Not saying I don't want to spend money, but that's ridiculous in my opinion.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GRM4XQ2

Hi guys, quick question on cleaning video heads: what's wrong with using a strip of white printer paper + 99.9% IPA?

Can I use these: https://www.temu.com/goods.html?goods_id=601103207059097

Also confused about drum direction, clockwise or counter-clockwise? (No up/down, got it, but Google has mixed opinions.)

Thanks!

Item is sold out so I cannot see it.

Paper and IPA is useful for heavy contamination. I use it occasionally. However the paper is abrasive and when used on clean heads you can see that actual video head material is deposited on the paper (easy to see when its the green Panasonic heads). So people cleaning usual grey/black colour heads will keep seeing 'dirt' left on the paper when in fact its just video head material. I use in conjunction with a powerful loupe and point light source to see when heavy dirt is removed and I can work with softer less harsh cleaning methods and materials.

Always rotate drum clockwise.

Also paper and IPA does nothing to clean out the grooves on the drum. For that a fine plastic pick is needed. Plus loupe and light. You really need to look super close at the head to see the clumps of residue and work on them rather than just consider everything dirty. Residue builds on the drum directly around the head chip. This can be difficult to remove. IPA often doesn't touch it as it is tape lubrication build-up, not oxide.

Those are not real "chamois" swabs, those are nothing more than foam on a stick.

Real chamois is actually a specially treated LEATHER and it looks like these..


[Attachment 91842 - Click to enlarge]

Of course, many. many yrs ago when I worked for repair shops on VCRs a pack of ten real chamios swabs cost a mere $5 US.

The advantage of real leather chamois is you can reuse it over and over and over and it will not snag, breakup or leave debris behind that can get caught in the micro gap of the actual head.

Foam swabs can and will snag so one must be mindful of that if you choose to use them, but bare "Q" tips should not be used as those loose cotton fibers will be left behind on the heads.

When I worked at a video production studio, it was one of my job duties to care for all the professional VTRs, not talking about VHS but 1" Sony open reel to reels.. Worth about $20K each back then.. Had to clean the heads, capstan and all rollers between editing sessions.. We used disposable lint free "Tech cloths" and industrial alcohol in a spray can for the PMs servicing..

What ever you do, do it very gently, VHS and other small video tape format heads are easy to clog/damage and finding replacement heads now days means finding a used donor that has known good heads.. Not even sure anyone is still making replacement heads, been out of the VHS repair loop for 30 plus yrs now.

[VR20D]

Thanks guys for the advice. Cleaning the lower head drum is a very good tip; I never thought about that. What about the rotating direction? I’ve read mixed things, some say both counter‑clockwise and clockwise, and others say clockwise only.

To confirm, I have the right chamois swabs:

[themaster1]

I’ve read mixed things, some say both counter‑clockwise and clockwise, and others say clockwise only.]

vhs/betamax -> counter clockwise which is the normal direction when the drum is in work

[GAhere]

Thanks guys for the advice. Cleaning the lower head drum is a very good tip; I never thought about that. What about the rotating direction? I’ve read mixed things, some say both counter‑clockwise and clockwise, and others say clockwise only.

To confirm, I have the right chamois swabs:

Yes, those are the real deal leather chamois..

As such, you can reuse and reuse.. They will eventually get dried out and hard, a spray of alcohol on the chamois portion and it will soften up quickly for use.

Clockwise/counterclockwise?

Shouldn't be an issue, drum doesn't care, heads don't care either. The only thing that matters is to not snag and break the fragile head or push debris into the very fine gap of the head.

Do allow a few minutes for your cleaner to fully evaporate before attempting to play a tape, most rubbing alcohols sold in stores are a mix of alcohol/water/oil (mix can be 70% to as low as 50% alcohol, 70% or better alcohol will give better results).. They are designed for direct contact with your skin so the alcohol is weakened with water and to reduce drying out your skin a small amount of mineral oil is added.. Generally can get away with it but it takes more time to evaporate and can leave a slight oily film behind..

Straight alcohol with no water or oil would be better to use, but avoid contact with your skin as it will instantly dry out your skin. If you do make skin contact with straight alcohol, use moisturizing hand cream on your skin to add back the natural oil present in your skin.

[lollo]

Yes, those are the real deal leather chamois..

As such, you can reuse and reuse..

Not really.

They capture the dirt on the heads and become black while keeping it. I only use once (mine are these: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B008OA81EA/ref=pe_24968671_487041031_TE_item).

[VR20D]

Thanks. I’m planning to use this for cleaning.

[lollo]

I’m planning to use this for cleaning.

Yes, be sure no fragrances nor colorants are in.

I use this one: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B089W1ZP5W/ref=pe_24968671_487022601_TE_SCE_dp_1

[Sharc]

Cheers!