VHS & VCR Repair : How to Clean VCR Heads

Clean VCR heads by inserting a head cleaning tape for 30 seconds, pressing play and then following the instructions that come with the cleaning tape. Try hitting search forward or search reverse with a head cleaning tap to help the cleaning process with tips from the owner of a TV and VCR repair shop in this free video on VCRs.

Expert: Bill Czappa
Contact: www.relaypoint.net/~arctv/
Bio: Bill Czappa is the owner of ARC TV and VCR repair in Burbank, Calif.
Filmmaker: Abiy Engida

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• VCR
• VHS
• videotapes
• videocassettes
• movies
• video formats
• tape players

[coolbluelights]

@howkemon6559 that's wasteful!

[MaxB6851]

I've cleaned the heads,.I can play tapes ok but can't record. Got any suggestions?

[akumie]

My machine wont even read the tapes so please help me

Part 1: watch?v=8Uhm_RVsQMs

Part 2: watch?v=hf16phMXkNg

[rhyskallen]

@Chianagirl you should of got a 8mm tape cleaning head not vhs lol

[Chianagirl]

Er one question what happens if the cleaning tape gets stuck

[SWO4LIFE]

@howkemon6559 never!

[howkemon6559]

it's time to throw away vcr

[WinVistaUser2]

@famouswolfy it's because of the rubbing alcohol. The company, Maxell, made a head cleaning tape (dry type) that shows the cleaning process on-screen. The ones with rubbing alcohol tend to destroy VCR heads in 30 seconds. Audio Cassette Deck cleaning companies should make a tape that's dry type and with sounds/music that will play during the cleaning process for both ways (Forward/Backward).

[WinVistaUser2]

@3y3raven every 30 hours of usage (recording shows and watching movies) If you have a VCR/DVD Combo, however, clean the heads every time after use.

[kurisux]

When I was a kid, from about 10 years old onward, I would take the cases off and clean the heads manually: Never lost a machine to head wear. Duno how I figured it all out, but it was a quick a simple process involving a near-microfiber like washcloth we had, and some isopropyl alcohol. Maybe because its what the NES cleaners used, I duno...

Man, I must have also pirated every anime I rented back then.. having a dual VCR setup made life so interesting every weekend.