How to clean Video Tape Recorder Heads

In this video I so you how to do pretty much what the title says. My method, strange as it may seem DOES work, and is less damaging than using cotton swabs/cue tips. But you do have to take the top off your VCR to do this. Please note that this does not cover cleaning the audio/sync/erase heads, just the video heads on the head drum.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• clean
• video
• heads

[Jamie10004]

can i use any type of paper? Is sand paper ok to use?

[CoolDudeClem]

@Jamie10004 For goodness sake don't use sandpaper, even really fine grain will scratch up the heads and the drum and a scratched drum will in turn damge any tapes you put in it. Normal paper for writing on/printing will do fine.

[AnalogueJosh]

I usually use Nail Polish Remover and a soft tissue! Is this a lot better?

[CoolDudeClem]

I prefer not to use tissue or anything that is made of fibers and can tear. Tissue and nail polish will work well, but tissue could get caught up in the heads on the drum and could get stuck in there.

[ColumbiaTerrace84]

Hello, thank you so much for your head cleaning advice - my old videos play well now!

At the moment I have a problem with the playback on a Panasonic MiniDV camcorder. The problem was most likely a loose connection causing the tape to be misaligned so the picture is slightly distorted and there is no sound. I wondered if you know any way to manually adjust the tape alignment while playing the tape (the camcorder doesn't seem to have a tracking facility) so I can try to recover the footage?

[CoolDudeClem]

I guess you'd have to take the cover off and try adjusting the screws on the rollers either side of the head drum.

[usernamemykel]

Thanks for the video.

You might want to check out YouTube videos on how to use a nail brush and how to give yourself a manicure.

[twatlasher]

can i stick it in the bath and just wash it off with bleach and a lump hammer?

[Shayamoya2011]

Thanks Clem. I'm impressed. Thanks for the great tip! Simple but effective

[fordskool]

@Jamie10004 hahahahahahahhahahahhaha

[hansupgwai]

Wow - thanks so much that worked prefectly! I put a head cleaning tape through about 20 times and still no playback picture. I used your paper technique with a few drips of alcohol on the paper and was amazed by the dirt that came off!

Have to admit I was sceptical at first but I was so close to buying a new machine yesterday, Thanks!!!!!

[rhyskallen]

whys this called cooldudeclem

[georgevoinea84]

Thx Haity duude, that really helped! :D

[CLUTCHCARGOJR]

Thanks a million, Clem! I used your method on my ancient Betasaurus deck (which was showing only snow) with excellent results. Paper is cheap...head cleaner is not. Now I can continue transferring more old material to DVD.

Sir Clyde Crashcup.

[aicragleon]

Great video. I like this one and the one about adblock plus. Thanks man.

[dhaney22]

You saved my life! My children hog the tv in the den with their junky cartoons! My husband is away for work for 3 months- I bout them a VCR and some videos. They have been using it a few weeks and they came to tell me that the tv was all "scrambly". I found your video and it's fixed! I have never seen the inside of a VCR let alone cleaned one! I adore your sense of humor and you made it so easy to understand that even my 5 year old boy that was siting there with me, my screw driver, paper and i