[net.video] Request: Head cleaners: Which are good and which are bad?

dimare@ucla-cs.UUCP (09/03/84)

I want to head clean my vcr. I'm afraid of buying something that
will melt it down to plastic and aluminum, so I have the following
questions for you experts:

	1) How often should you clean vcr heads?
	2) Are head cleaners any good at all?
	3) Which are the BAD head cleaners?
	4) Which are the Godd ones?

Thanks. I will sumarize and post the answers.

	Adolfo
	      ///

dimare@ucla-locus.arpa
...{cepu,ihnp4,sdcrdcf,trwspp}!ucla-cs!dimare.uucp

lute@abnjh.UUCP (J. Collymore) (09/17/84)

Adolfo asks:

        1) How often should you clean vcr heads?
        2) Are head cleaners any good at all?
        3) Which are the BAD head cleaners?
        4) Which are the Godd ones?

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Since I bought a VCR earlier this year, these are the answers I have gotten to
the same questions.


1)  Clean your heads only when you see (or suspect) the beginnings of problems
    with them (e.g. skew, snow or drop-out).

2 and 3  Avoid using the cassette (dry) type head cleaners.  Their abrasive
         qualities will probably damage the heads and make your playback
         picture even worse; not to mention cause you greater expense because
         of the potential necessity to now have your heads replaced.

4)  If you are going to clean your heads, go inside (after the warranty period
    is up) and clean the heads using a "wet" method (i.e. using long-stemmed
    Q-tips and a proper head-cleaning fluid).  Please note: I have been told
    NOT to use cotton Q-tips since they can/will leave a lint residue.  You
    should use a sponge-type "Q-tip" which will leave no particle residue.


The best thing to do is go into an electronics store (or call) and speak with
their repair department and ask their advice.  These people do this for a
living and will probably give you the most useful advice.


					Jim Collymore