How Good are Tape Head Cleaners? at DVinfo.net

John Iler · July 17th, 2003, 12:04 PM

Some say they put hours of wear on your heads in just seconds; but having them professionally cleaned every 40 hours is too expensive. Some tape head cleaners are made of microfiber. Anyone have any experiences -- good or bad?

Thanks.

Jeff Donald · July 17th, 2003, 12:11 PM

Tape cleaners are recommended by the camera manufactures. If used according to the directions in the camera instruction manual and printed with the cleaning cassette, they are safe and do an fair to good job. Nothing beats a professional cleaning. When we did cleanings on cameras, we would disassemble 1/3 to 1/2 the camera to get to the upper drum assembly (heads). This allowed great access to the tape path etc. and we could clean and lube the camera properly. Most people don't want to pay for the labor to have someone clean the camera right. Hence the abundance of cleaning tapes.

I use them infrequently, and I do not feel they cause excessive wear if used properly.

Jacques Mersereau · July 17th, 2003, 12:51 PM

Everyone has his opinion. Mine is that cleaning tapes are sand paper.
I followed Tascam's recommendations when the DA-88 first came out and
had to pay for a new head stack within two months (they said to clean
all the time . . . then changed their minds when those in the field
started to bitch about $500 repair bills and that Tacam should cover them).
The DA-88 repair guru said each cleaning was equal to 8 hours of head life gone.

Cleaning tapes work, but if you stick to the same type of tape you can go a LONG
time without having to clean. Lots longer than 40 hours. I've known
of a thousand hours without trouble.

If you stick to the same brand, then are forced to change, use a cleaning
tape before putting in the new brand.

July 17th, 2003, 12:04 PM	#1
John Iler New Boot Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 22	How Good are Tape Head Cleaners? Some say they put hours of wear on your heads in just seconds; but having them professionally cleaned every 40 hours is too expensive. Some tape head cleaners are made of microfiber. Anyone have any experiences -- good or bad? Thanks.

July 17th, 2003, 12:11 PM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Tape cleaners are recommended by the camera manufactures. If used according to the directions in the camera instruction manual and printed with the cleaning cassette, they are safe and do an fair to good job. Nothing beats a professional cleaning. When we did cleanings on cameras, we would disassemble 1/3 to 1/2 the camera to get to the upper drum assembly (heads). This allowed great access to the tape path etc. and we could clean and lube the camera properly. Most people don't want to pay for the labor to have someone clean the camera right. Hence the abundance of cleaning tapes. I use them infrequently, and I do not feel they cause excessive wear if used properly. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

July 17th, 2003, 12:51 PM	#3
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	Everyone has his opinion. Mine is that cleaning tapes are sand paper. I followed Tascam's recommendations when the DA-88 first came out and had to pay for a new head stack within two months (they said to clean all the time . . . then changed their minds when those in the field started to bitch about $500 repair bills and that Tacam should cover them). The DA-88 repair guru said each cleaning was equal to 8 hours of head life gone. Cleaning tapes work, but if you stick to the same type of tape you can go a LONG time without having to clean. Lots longer than 40 hours. I've known of a thousand hours without trouble. If you stick to the same brand, then are forced to change, use a cleaning tape before putting in the new brand. __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager