VCR Head Cleaning and dirty tapes

[Colin-JB]

Can anyone recommend a good product available in the UK for cleaning VCR heads? I used to use isopropyl alcohol (a radio rentals engineer showed me that) until the chemists stopped selling it.

Also, some of my VHS tapes have been badly stored at my parents house and have gone mildewy on the edges. Is it safe to play them so I can transfer important (to me) stuff onto DVD?

Colin-JB

[Alan]

Suggest that maybe you could contact South West Film Archives - used to be in Plymouth. I know that their main topic is restoration and transfer of old cine film to Video Tape, but now they may have progressed to DVD, so would have gained some expertees in restoration of VCR tape, I would have thought

Alan

[dominicbeesley]

Try a different chemist! Our local chemist sold me a litre a couple of months ago

Dom

[Dave Moll]

Last time I bought a bottle of spot remover for fabrics, I noticed that the (now-banned) "trike" had been replaced by IPA - under the name Dylon Stain Remover.

[Colin-JB]

Try a different chemist! Our local chemist sold me a litre a couple of months ago

Was your local an independent? We seem only to have Boots around here. I may have to look further out...

Colin-JB

[dominicbeesley]

Yes they both were independent - after I'd replied guess what - they've just been bought up by.....Boots!

So I suppose I'll need to look round too...I've got about 1/2 litre left and I need some acetone too.

Dom