Quote:
Originally Posted by redk9258
Wouldn't the alcohol dry and since it shouldn't leave a residue, make no difference? 
I think it is important to make sure whatever you use leaves zero residue and has dried completely. Sure do miss FreonTF! |
I usually like to follow up with a small piece of paper to remove anything that got left behind. Regardless what you use there always seems to be something left that a dry paper will pick up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ARC Tech-109
I wouldn't use xylene on any video head that is secured to the mounting base with a poly adhesive, it will break down the bond over time. Speaking from experience on this one.
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I would be concerned about this too. I've seen it peal paint and I'd want to stay well away from the head windings. I've used carburetor cleaner (Xylene / Toluene mix) on a few really filthy machines. One surveillance time lapse Sony machine comes to mind that I don't think was ever cleaned or serviced and the hour meter was into to 100,000's.
The key is to use just enough solvent to clean the area you're working with and no more so that it doesn't travel.
Every now and again though you run into a VCR that's never been properly cleaned and has just had a cleaner tape stuffed in it for the last 10 or 20 years. When you run into those, more often than not you're not cleaning it with alcohol. Even when you think it's clean if you follow up with something stronger you'll have a dirty Q-tip come out. This is especially the case in the fine head grooves on VHS drums. I like to clean those with a Q tip pressed in there and turning the head by hand counter clockwise.
It's always interesting to see what everyone's using for cleaner and to hear their cleaning methods. Some swear by alcohol and I've caught a lot of flak over the years using lighter fluid or anything stronger even though I've cleaned probably around 1000 or more machines (mostly VHS) with it. Xylene is an interesting recommenation coming staight from Ampex for their 1 inch machines.