Mold? stains on VHS tape

[Aquilsas]

Hello everyone!

Has anybody ever come across this type of mold on a VHS tape?

If so, do you have any advice on how to clean it, if possible?


[Attachment 89011 - Click to enlarge]

Thanks.

[timtape]

The photo is not very clear. Best take a few different shots perhaps in softer lighting to capture what you are trying to show.

VHS tapes can usually be treated to remove mold but without the proper tools and techniques it's difficult and possibly dangerous to health.

[dellsam34]

The picture is blurry, If it's in one spot it can be cleaned by soaking a cotton swab in a soapy water and finish with another swab soaked in clean water (distilled is preferred) and let dry, If it's a whole tape then you need a cleaning plan, be carful with mold, it's deadly when dry.

[lordsmurf]

and possibly dangerous to health.

Last month, somebody contacted me, the victim of anaphylactic shock, after trying to "clean" mold with all those stupid homebrew methods peddled by Youtubers and bloggers.

And as many know, that happened to me about 10 years ago.

For years, I've warned people about this online. I can still see the (not cute) nurse prepping that huge needle, and sticking it in my "side butt" (upper thigh). It hurt like hell. All because I plugged in a piece of gear, that had a fan, and it spewed mold everywhere when I plugged it in.

In my case, it was accidental, I did not know mold was present. But anybody intentionally subjecting themselves to mold is a damned idiot.

[Aquilsas]

@timtape, @dellsam34 Thank you for the advice, and sorry for the bad-quality pic. I'll try and see if the owner of the tape can provide me clearer photos. He states he has previously cleaned that kind of mold but with a fistful of care and patience; nevertheless, I wanted to read your suggestions in case there was a more efficient/secure cleaning method, also taking into account that most mold-related posts refer to the classical white dust, while this one is pretty different.

I'll tell him about the soapy water and try to gather more information so as not to screw thing up. I believe he's been using home ethyl alcohol, which I understand is not recommended as it may end up damaging the tape over time. There's also a guy from the archival community here in my country who assures he got good results with Thinner

[dellsam34]

In my book I would never use alcohol on magnetic tapes and any part contains rubber.