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.