Cleaning VCR heads

[19Seventy7]

I have just finished reading the sticky thread, and I noticed someone mentioned they cleaned their play heads using their finger nail.

I was wondering how safe is this, I know the recommended is to use chamois swabs or paper and IPA, but I don't have any of these and probably won't be able to get any for a while.

I don't want to break the heads off, so I just want to check it's okay as this is my first VCR I've ever had - and only - so I don't want to break anything.

Thanks

[mickm3for]

Hi, VCR heads are fragile and easy to damage. If in doubt use a tape cleaner or a soft lint free cloth, with IPA or meths, with little pressure while rotating the head by hand slowly. Let the head dry for few mins before playing a tape, as moisture on the head will cause the tape to stick to the head and damage the tape as well as the heads. This is why if the VCR is moved from a hot to a cold location you should allow time for condensation to evaporate. Any one remember i think Sanyo Betamax with the auto sense condensation circuit that stopped it working if triggered. Try explaining that to a customer that you had just delivered it back to after a workshop repair. Hope this helps.

[19Seventy7]

Hi, thank you for your help. Would some tissue paper be okay to use, or would it be too abrasive?

I cannot get hold of any IPA so I'm in a bit of a jam.


Thanks

[HamishBoxer]

A business card GENTLY applied with head rotating and no IPA if desperate,you can get a load cheaply from Ebay of nail polish removal cloths.Perfect with IPA.


Clean from r/handside with the head going anti clockwise.

[19Seventy7]

Thank you, ill do that right away. I've got to get some IPA ASAP.

Thanks for your help

[ex seismic]

Years ago in the bush in Nigeria we used the local gin if we ran out of IPA. This was on 21 track seismic data recorders and didn't do them any harm. So, if you are desperate try gin or vodka, you can always drink it afterwards!

Gordon

[19Seventy7]

I did read something about vodka being used, just a shame i dont have any of that either!

Thanks

[Clydeuk]

Back in the day I've used whatever was to hand in desperation. Clear spirits like vodka and gin did the job ok. Whatever you do though never use an up and down motion as you will break the head chips. And don't use cotton buds.

[John123]

Indeed; tissue paper is also a bad idea as it creates dust and will shed quite easily. A good demonstration here on how to clean video heads (skip to around the 7:30 mark).

[19Seventy7]

Originally Posted by Clydeuk

Back in the day I've used whatever was to hand in desperation. Clear spirits like vodka and gin did the job ok. Whatever you do though never use an up and down motion as you will break the head chips. And don't use cotton buds.

I think i’ll keep the clear spirits idea for later on, as IPA isnt sold anywhere near me, so if it really does come to it i know i can get a small bottle of vodka or something.

As others have said, i kept the paper/card still and rotated the drum many times until it was clean. It’s lucky I read up first, as my instinct is to clean with cotton buds.

John - That’s good to know, thanks for the video too, I found it very helpful
Thanks

[Sean Williams]

Surgical spirit from Boots is also an effective and gentle solvent

[Clydeuk]

The last time I ordered a bottle of IPA from CPC they sent an aerosol can. Is this normal practice?

I have also used surgical spirits which does the job.

[stevehertz]

The biggest issue is ensuring that there is zero vertical movement of the cleaning device/finger as it is applied to the heads. This can normally be achieved by resting/locking your cleaning finger against the immovable base of the head stack. Any vertical movement is likely snap off the very thin video head chips. Conversely I once read that the biggest mistake that most people make when cleaning video heads is insufficient pressure. So it's kinda careful, kid gloves in one respect and a bit of umph in another. I never snapped a head off anyway.

[HamishBoxer]

Do not use cotton buds! IPA is available on Ebay.

[19Seventy7]

Originally Posted by Sean Williams

Surgical spirit from Boots is also an effective and gentle solvent

I can probably get some of that, as there is a boots not too far from me.

Thanks

Steve - I put just enough pressure on so that i can just about feel the beads runnig past, it budges little bit of dirts at a time and the heads are still okay. I also let the drum do all the movement.

Thanks

[Maarten]

Originally Posted by InsertNameHere

Hi, thank you for your help. Would some tissue paper be okay to use, or would it be too abrasive?

I cannot get hold of any IPA so I'm in a bit of a jam.

Tissue paper will be torn and might damage the head. Coffee filter paper is much better to use.

The closest household solvent to IPA is spirit (denatured alcohol). It has a blue colouring agent in it, but in practice that doesn't really seem to be a problem.

[martin.m]

I worked in a TV repair shop for many years and all we ever used was Methylated Spirits on a piece of good quality paper. As others have said keep your finger stationary and rotate the head drum.

Regards
Martin

[Boater Sam]

In the African bush we used any clear spirit, usually vodka, and the edge of a newish banknote.

[19Seventy7]

Would a new plastic bank note be okay?

I don't know if i'll be able to get chamois leather for a while, and im pretty desperate.

Thanks

[Sean Williams]

A plastic bank note is just that, plastic..... as such, non absorbent, and will not take any of the solvent up.

A clean bit of pure cotton sheet would suffice, but nothing fluffy - it's not like you are looking to shift ground in dirt, you are just looking to remove a build up of oxide from the head.

You could toddle off to pound land, or somewhere like that and get a cheap Chamois - there's loads of places around London that are only a tube ride away.