Video head cleaner

A video head cleaner is a substance used for cleaning the record/playback heads of a video or audio cassette player.

Audio and video (VTR) cassette players require regular maintenance to perform properly. Particles that come off the magnetic tape or videotape can build up on the record/playback heads, reducing the signal quality. Head cleaning may be done with a special cloth or special long swabs and/or a cleaning cassette. This removes smudges and dirt on the heads.Cotton threads can snag the video heads, so cotton balls and swaps should not be used.

Cleaning fluids

Fluids used for cleaning video heads include (but are not limited to) the following solvents:
*Freon-Dichlorodifluoromethane (discontinued in 1995 for damage to the ozone layer).
*Alcohols are effective for cleaning heads and guide rollers.
*Acetone is an effective solvent, but can damage plastics. When using acetone, it is important to avoid the fumes and use goggles, as it can cause permanent eye damage.
*Amyl Nitrite and other nitrites are marketed as video head cleaners.

Dry cleaners

Dry methods of cleaning include:
*Cassette-shaped devices that can be inserted into a tape decks and played for a short time to polish the heads to remove smudges and dirt. This may shorten the life of the unit and should not be overused.
*Cassette-shaped devices that have a cloth tape that can have cleaning fluids added to it before being inserted into a tape deck and played for a short time.

Abuse

Video head cleaners can be abused as a recreational drug: see Poppers.

ee also

*Cassette demagnetizer
*VTR
*Rubbing alcohol

References

* DIY Guide to Cleaning Your Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) - January, 1998 by Ralph Calabria [http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_5_1/diy6vcrcleaning.html]
* Notes on the Troubleshooting and Repair of Video Cassette Recorders by Samuel M. Goldwasser. [http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_vcrfaq9.html#VCRFAQ_013]
* Betamax PALsite Guides - Head Cleaning [http://www.palsite.com/pcat_hclean.html]
* Fixer Corp. [http://www.fixer.com/osm/cleaning.php]
* How NOT to clean your video heads or a very expensive lesson. by Samuel M. Goldwasser [http://www.repairfaq.org/REPAIR/F_vcrfaq9.html#VCRFAQ_012]