[LM_NET] HIT: Cleaning VCR Heads

[Angie Woodson <librarypup@GMAIL.COM>]

Below are the responses I received.  As one person suggested, I removed the
top of the VCR and cleaned it with an alcohol wipe.  Most of the tapes that
would not play, now do.  But I still have a stubborn old Charlie Brown that
won't play.  At least we're in a better position than before.  Thanks for
all the responses!!


____________________________

My tech said absolutely no way should you ever put a cleaning tape in a VCR.
He recommended the following method:

 Take the screws out and take the top off of the VCR.

Using cotton balls and alcohol, GENTLY wipe the heads...they are silver and
large...you can't miss them.

Replace the cover.

 It works every time. :)

____________________________

I'm not an expert, but I have always thought wet might be better but dry
is easier.

____________________________

It was always my understanding that the wet ones were better since they were
less likely to scratch the heads.

____________________________

dry ones act like sand paper.  i always heard that you should use wet
cleaners.

____________________________

Wet is better.  The dry ones act almost like sandpaper on the heads.
 Repeated use with a dry head cleaner will eventually ruin the head.  A
caution though, I had a machine that was so dirty that even the wet one
didn't solve the problem.  If you have any mechanical aptititude, take the
cover off the machine, identify the big chrome disk--that's got the heads
spinning inside of it.  Take some alcohol and a lintless cloth, spin the
disk to rotate the heads, and wipe them clean.  It does a better job than
the wet cleaner, and is cheaper!

____________________________

I've had better luck with "wet." However, the best solution is usually to
put a brand new tape in for 30 seconds, and that will clean the heads.

____________________________

I learned in an AV class that  I took for my master's degree that "dry" head
cleaners are harder on the heads of your machine than are the "wet"
cleaners. I've used both on my personal VCRs, but always choose wet cleaners
for my school machines.


-- 
Angie Woodson
Media Specialist
Van Buren Elementary
225 Shaw St., Plainfield, IN 46168
317-839-2575
awoodson@plainfield.k12.in.us

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