How often should I use a head cleaner?

[Allan Black]

Originally Posted by Richard Hunter

Hi Allan. The trouble with info on the web is that a lot of it is not reliable. For example, there are many conflicting reports of which particular Panasonic tape types use wet or dry lubricants. And it's possible the lubricant type has changed over the years as well. If some Panasonic tapes use wet and some dry, which cleaning tape would you select then?

And BTW, the label and packaging with my Panasonic cleaning tape doesn't mention lubricants at all. This doesn't surprise me, since a cleaning tape is meant to be abrasive and only used for very short periods.

Richard

Hi Rchard, I was involved with magnetic tape manufacture and its industrial use some years ago and some web info is correct.

EG: Jan Crittenden from Panasonic USA has previously stated elsewhere, that Sony and Panasonic use different lubricants for their tape formulations.

She said it's the interaction of the residual lubricants when you mix tapes that causes gunk in tape path. At Panasonic they always carefully clean their decks anytime they have to use a different tape brand other than the brand the deck or camera had been using.

I've asked Panasonic here about their cleaner 'dry type' labelling, see what they say.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc..._Cleaning.html

Cheers.

[Richard Hunter]

Hi Allan. Did you provide the correct link?

Panasonic | AY-DVMCLA Mini DV Cleaning Cassette | AYDVMCLA | B&H

This one isn't related to any question from you to Panasonic, nor to any reply from them. And there is also no mention of lubricants, just the fact that it is a dry type of cleaner, as mentioned by Bill Busby.

Richard

[Allan Black]

Hi Richard, I haven't heard from Panasonic yet, they get very busy at Xmas.

Sorry for the confusion, yes that's the correct link showing the 'dry type' packaging I have on my cleaner tapes.
Cheers.

[Richard Hunter]

Hi Allan. OK, I get it now, thanks.

My interpretation of the wording on the cleaner tape is just that it does not use a liquid solvent for head cleaning, like the tapes mentioned by Bill. But let's see if Panasonic reply with anything definite.

Richard

[Allan Black]

Richard and Bill, you are quite correct in your assumptions, the 'dry type' cleaner tape labelling has nothing to do with the actual type of DV recording tape lubrication.

Here's the Panasonic reply...

'The DRY TYPE indication on the Tape Packaging would indicate the Head cleaner does not require a Liquid Cleaning Chemical.'

Cheers.

[Richard Hunter]

Hi Allan. Thanks for the confirmation.

Richard

[Allan Black]

However Canon say there *are* wet and dry cleaning tapes. Click question 13 .. how do I clean the video heads.

Professional Camcorders - High Definition Camcorders and Lenses - Standard Definition Camcorders - Software - High Definition Camcorder - XH A1S - Canon USA Consumer Products

[Terry Doublin]

Originally Posted by Chas Briggs

It seems like I'm getting a message to clean my heads only when I'm shooting in freezing temps is this normal. i have cleaned my head. now i have the XHA1 now i know they say NO SONY tapes does that mean i shouldnt use a sony head cleaner as well ?

The Sony tapes use a silicone to lube the tape which is a wet lube. And the Panasonic tapes use a graphite which is a dry lube. I film in cold weather a lot and switched to the Panasonic AY-DVM63PQ tapes and use a Panasonic cleaning tape it has solved a lot of my cold weather problems. And there cheaper than Sony tapes through B&H.