Re: cleaning tape heads

[Brian Regan <erhslib@MONROE.EDU>]

Hi folks-
at last, my former and present careers come together.  I used to be recording 
engineer, now I'm a
SLMS.  Here's what I have to offer on cleaning tape heads:

Use rubbing alcohol that is 90% pure or better (the average stuff is around 70%).  
Most drug
stores carry it, or check with audio/video supply places.  They'll also try to sell 
you special
cleaning solutions, but I've never found them to be any better.

There are a variety of items you can use to scrub with.  Chamois cloth or foam 
rubber swabs are
the best, but cotton will do.  Try to avoid soft, fuzzy Q-tips and steer more 
toward the
long-sticked ones intended for cleaning.

Here's the important part:  when you scrub, go back and forth along the tape path 
(ie NOT up and
down, but left and right).  There is a tiny narrow gap in the metal that the tape 
crosses like a
bridge over a ravine.  If you go up and down, the risk of leaving cotton fibers or 
other schmutz
in the gap is greater.  Go both ways.  You don't need to be excessively gentle.  
The heads are
made of hardened steel.  They can handle a firm scrubbing.  You should also clean 
any surface the
tape comes in contact with (ie posts, rollers).  If there seems to be a lot of 
debris in the
space below the mechanism, try to get that out too.  Don't be afraid to use 
multiple swabs.  If
the cotton comes away stained (usually reddish), toss it and use another.  Continue 
this until
the swabs come away clean.  Some rubber rollers will leave a little black on the 
swab.  That's
generally not a problem, but if it seems like a lot is coming up, try just using a 
dry swab on
the rubber parts.

For what it's worth:  I've found that the cassette-type head cleaners are okay for 
regular
maintenance, but only if you start with clean heads and use the cleaner on a 
consistent schedule.
 Once a year isn't going to do it, especially if the heads are all gummed up to 
start with.  The
better ones have you apply some cleaning fluid to the fabric tape or felt pieces in 
the cassette.

Another note for helping to reduce tape shedding:  store your tapes someplace with 
CONSISTENT low
temperature and humidity.  The consistency is actually more important then the temp 
& humidity.
Cars are about the worst place I can think of to keep tapes.  Changes is temp cause 
the plastic
tape base to expand and contract, and that makes the oxide loosen from the base and 
flake off.
That's the stuff that ends up on your tape heads.

Other tips:  try to make sure tapes are rewound before they return to the shelf.  
If a tape is
sticking somewhere in the middle, give it a firm smack, flat side down, on a table 
or counter.
This will usually loosen the snag.  It may seem that I'm recommending you be rough 
on your
equipment and media.  I'm not.  I'm just saying that you don't have to baby it 
either.

Everything I've said here applies to cassette machines, reel-to-reel decks, 
high-speed dubbers,
etc.  I'm not as experienced with video machines, but I think most of the same 
principles apply.
 I hope this is helpful.  Sorry it's so long - I didn't set out to write a book!   
;-)
BR
--
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Brian Regan
Library Media Specialist
East Rochester High School
East Rochester, NY
School: erhslib@monroe.edu
Home:   bregan@frontiernet.net

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