Tape head cleaner explained

A tape head cleaner is a substance or device used for cleaning the record and playback heads of a magnetic tape drive found in video or audio tape machines such as cassette players and VCRs.[1] These machines require regular maintenance to perform properly. Particles that come off magnetic tape can build up on the record and playback heads, reducing the signal quality. Head cleaning may be done with a special cloth, long swabs, or a cleaning tape or cassette.[2] [3]

Cleaning fluids

Fluids used for cleaning video heads include (but are not limited to) the following solvents:

Dry cleaners

Dry methods of cleaning include:

Other uses

In some countries, to evade anti-drug laws, poppers like amyl nitrite are labelled or packaged as tape head cleaner.[6]

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. http://www.soundfirst.com/cleandemag.html Sound First, Cleaning and demagnetizing tape recorders and duplicators
  2. http://homerecording.com/caring.html Home Recording, Tape Deck Care
  3. https://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/recurring-dirty-heads-old-tapes-do-they-ruin-your-camera Video Maker, RECURRING DIRTY HEADS. OLD TAPES - DO THEY RUIN YOUR CAMERA?
  4. http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-xl-gl-series-dv-camcorders/235370-clarifying-head-cleaning-instructions.html DV Info, clarifying head-cleaning instructions
  5. http://www.bealecorner.com/trv900/trouble/headclean.html Beale Corner, Head and Tape Path Cleaning, by Steven D. Peterson
  6. Web site: Sarah McVeigh. Man who died at Rainbow Serpent drank amyl nitrite 'poppers', sources say. 31 January 2017. ABC.