Sony's Wet Lube could be the Clogging Culprit!

[Jesse Bekas]

I came across this site...

http://www.philpang.com/tips/minidv_lubricants.html ...and it is claiming that everybody besides Sony is using dry lube now, and that using a Sony tape (and possibly TDK) and then going back to a dry tape is what causes the clogging. If this is true than you should be able to swap tapes as long as you avoid Sony (+ possibly TDK)!

Anybody else hear any of this from any other sources? Can we gather up our knowledge and see if tape problems happened only after using Sony's, and then switching to a dry brand? The last tape I put in my cam was a Sony, and I wasn't worried because before that I swapped all the time. I was just about to order some Panny PQs or Fujis, but now I don't know...

[Ken Tanaka]

Sony switched to a dry lubricant around 1997.

[Jesse Bekas]

...so then I take it this site is wrong?

[Ken Tanaka]

Like so many sites it's pretty as a peach but has some rotten spots.

At the end of his dissertation, this enthusiastic young fellow presents the same recommendation that we've offered here for years: use a head cleaning tape periodically (btw, ignore his directions and follow the tape's instructions...sheesh) and Pick 'n Stick.

You can essentially mix any tape except for Sony. If you use Sony, stick with Sony and don't use anything else and vice versa.

Run a tape cleaner before switching tape brands. When you run a tape cleaner, do not run it for more than 5 seconds at a time, and certainly do not run it more than twice consecutively. Tape cleaners are abrasive and any use longer than 10-15 seconds will surely lead to premature head wear. Besides, if it takes longer than that to clean the heads, you probably have bigger problems than a clogged tape head.