How to clean vcr heads without damaging and opening the VCR

[CCEncoder]

What do you do with the tape after you clean the heads with it?
You want me to buy another VCR if the heads are worm or broken? it's an ag-1980 not a 40$ vcr.
-should I use Isopropyl or Isopropanol to clean paths... and wouldn't that damage the rollers and rubbers? I thought I would just use the dry foam swab.

Keep one new tape just for cleaning. If you get to the end, throw it out since it will have dirt in it.

I use the 99% isopropyl alcohol (or isopropanol) to clean heads, paths, and rollers. The gunge won't come off with a dry swab. You can use a toothpick for stubborn stuff on the path, not the heads.

My VCR would be cheaper to replace than repair. Get an estimate!

Dear... IPA 99% would not damage the rubber or plastic then... I just often hear people say "be careful" but don't provide methods... do they mean I shouldn't touch the rubbers and plastics with the alcohol or just don't get them drenched.

[deuce8pro]

You can use a lent free cloth. Dampen it with the rubbing alcohol and wipe things off gently. Very carefully.

[CCEncoder]

What do you do with the tape after you clean the heads with it?
You want me to buy another VCR if the heads are worm or broken? it's an ag-1980 not a 40$ vcr.
-should I use Isopropyl or Isopropanol to clean paths... and wouldn't that damage the rollers and rubbers? I thought I would just use the dry foam swab.

Keep one new tape just for cleaning. If you get to the end, throw it out since it will have dirt in it.

I use the 99% isopropyl alcohol (or isopropanol) to clean heads, paths, and rollers. The gunge won't come off with a dry swab. You can use a toothpick for stubborn stuff on the path, not the heads.

My VCR would be cheaper to replace than repair. Get an estimate!

What about my kinyo 2 way rewinder it has tape cleaner button... should I use that...? are there other method to clean tapes? after all... most of my tapes are dirty... u know I never ever worry about cleaning heads until recently I often used tape cleaners but now I realized that is never enough.

@deuce8pro
What if I use my towels 70% isopropyl to clean the paths will that be sufficient alcohol not to damage the rubber or plastic at the same time cleaning them... instead of using foam swabs with 99% IPA.

[JohnnyMalaria]

should I use Isopropyl or Isopropanol to clean paths...

"isopropyl" is "isopropanol". The correct name is propan-2-ol.

@JohnnyMalaria
So Anhydrous is the same as 99% water just that it will evaporate faster?

In practical terms, it makes no difference whether you use 95% or 99.9999999%.

I don't still don't get why you recommend me ethanol over isopropyl, other people on forums had recommended me ethanol too as isopropyl.

Well, my personal preference is methanol - it evaporates faster than ethanol.

I've always used methanol for cleaning critical laser optics in a laboratory situation.

The recommendation for the 99% isopropyl alcohol is perfectly OK.

What's important is the technique. Consider getting some proper lens tissues. I usually wrap one carefully around the end of a pair of tweezers or a wooden stick to make a swab.

[CCEncoder]

should I use Isopropyl or Isopropanol to clean paths...

"isopropyl" is "isopropanol". The correct name is propan-2-ol.

@JohnnyMalaria
So Anhydrous is the same as 99% water just that it will evaporate faster?

In practical terms, it makes no difference whether you use 95% or 99.9999999%.

I don't still don't get why you recommend me ethanol over isopropyl, other people on forums had recommended me ethanol too as isopropyl.

Well, my personal preference is methanol - it evaporates faster than ethanol.

I've always used methanol for cleaning critical laser optics in a laboratory situation.

The recommendation for the 99% isopropyl alcohol is perfectly OK.

What's important is the technique. Consider getting some proper lens tissues. I usually wrap one carefully around the end of a pair of tweezers or a wooden stick to make a swab.

Is the lens tissue same material as chamois? can I use cottom swabs sticks instead of tweezers?

[JohnnyMalaria]

Is the lens tissue same material as chamois?

No. Chamois is cow hide (leather).
Lens tissue is a kind of paper that has no lint.

e.g: http://www.pecaproducts.com/tissue.htm

You should be able to buy some at a local photographic supply store.

can I use cottom swabs sticks instead of tweezers?

Yes.

[Capmaster]

@Capmaster
Why should I use denatured if it has added chemicals wouldn't pure be better?

Technically. For some uses. But for your use it won't make any difference. Save your money

[handyguy]

"Is this Isopropyl 99% a good buy? "

I buy denatured alcohol at Ace. Its about $4 qt.