How to Clean a VHS Video Recorder (The Professional Way)

A short film thrown together whilst waiting for the van that would take my precious hoard of old machines up to the Tapescape event in Catford. It was all done nearly in one take, and as I was too lazy to edit it, I speeded up the boring bits.
During the shoot the back of the monitor actually fell off. This wasn't staged, but I'm glad it did, as Stewart, without missing a beat, used it to our advantage, for your knowledge.
Enjoy! x
Someone said I should re-do it and make it look like a VHS fast forwarding. Life's too short, although if anyone would like the raw file, and has as least half a day to spare, be my guest. x

[@BrandonAlbers]

DANG! This guy knows his stuff! I'm not talking about the cleaning, he knows the complete science on how it all works!

[@thatonethattalksalot7656]

Wow you literally taught a lot about how the tv and vcr works! Very awesome!!

[@robertmattison1282]

From across the pond, a big thanks on you posting this video.

[@RandomCowboy420]

Speaking of Dangerous High Voltage! That Mess of Extension Chords And Power Plugs on the Floor SHOCKED ME Half to death! 😲 Great Very Educational Classic Video!

[@nickturner4150]

Gotta love that wiring system. Baron Frankenstein would be proud.

[@JoeGolfKing]

Thanks. My old vcr was working very poorly, as it would record properly briefly, then skip a second or two of audio/video, then record properly for another 10 seconds or so, then skip again. I tried an old vcr cleaner tape that I found in a junk drawer, but it simply didn't help. I was ready to scour eBay for a used one, but then I decided to look on KZbin. I followed your directions, and now the VCR works great again. Fortunately, I had some Q-Tips, some isopropyl rubbing alcohol, and some eyeglass cleaning cloth already in the house, so it worked out well.

[@michaelzoran]

QUESTION: I cleaned the VCR heads similar to what is done in this video. I used paper and the 91% rubbing alcohol. The tapes played with improved video and audio. Everything seemed fine. But then I put the cover back on the VCR and the video problems and audio problems returned. I then cleaned the heads again. This time when I put the cover on the VCR the video problems no longer existed, but there was still a slight "static" hiss type of noise. This happens EVERY TIME. I have tried this over a dozen times and the moment I place the cover onto the VCR while a tape is playing, the static "hiss" starts to be there. What is causing this and how can it be corrected?

[@TheBudgie29]

0:18 the bottom one Is a Sony C7 BetaMax, I had two of these and the heads went after years of great service. Sold them for spares or repairs as the parts are gold dust now. I really miss them, can no longer watch Live Aid In full. Best way to clean the heads on the cheap, Just rip off a piece of Printing Paper dampen with the alcohol, and spin the head while holding the paper against the Drum. About three rotations Is enough. That head sounds really noisy like the bearings are on the way out. 13:58 this Is called the popper, You pull It out and hold a screwdriver on the chassis, and touch this to It, dis-spell the electric stored In the Capacitors. Nice little demo of a great film at the end, must drag mine out and have a good old laugh. Thanks for sharing.

[@northernplacecorporation]

Your Samsung SV-243B VHS VCR that you had cleaned, is low-end, just like IMNC's Philips VR140 videotape recorder that he had, hence that one only having the SCART, coaxial, and antenna outputs on the back. A VCR from 1990s, like an Akai VS-F510 Hi-Fi Stereo VCR that he has since he got it on February 21, 2011, has composite video and stereo audio outputs on the back.

[@vijnan6205]

Are the vcr head cleaning tapes the safest option?

[@paymydues]

Those thick white deposits on the pinch roller/top or capstan shaft, are no doubt from mould on poorly stored tapes. Also it pays if cleaning near those video heads to rotate the head drum to IF you accidently slip or anything moves out those heads don't get the brunt of it.

[@xmoroseguyx]

I heard pre scart era the best picture was SVHS player to SVHS ready television with around four hundred lines, DVD I hear was five hundred and fifty five lines so the VHS was not too far behind in quality, It was more the format meant big tapes and manual forwarding and reversing that done it in, That said, Do you think the scart leads make any real difference in quality ?

[@thomashughes2487]

Need help with my toshiba CRT sound going in and out

[@pepp5150]

I have a crackling sound when watching the VCR--on my combo the DVD plays and sound's fine any suggestion's...???

[@michaelarojas]

Is it safe to use a VCR that was exposed to a moldy tape after cleaning it?

[@Mouroferr]

no no stop this! the wrong way!, cloth break's the vídeo head, cloth have little fluffs so they will hang on the videohead! use a piece of paper and isopropyl alcohol!!!!!

[@acefrehley3797]

THE LODING GOES NOT AS SMOET AS IT MOST GO

[@SwedishRetroTechNerd]

What all old vcr uses scart

[@JayDeeIsMyName]

12:21 Whahahaha, "Oh, completely". xD

[@MilesWinterRoberts]

Just Genius.... I am now going to get down and dirty... and then clean again. 🙂

[@sandra2809]

Stuart mate, I think you should install a smoke alarm or two. Also, That is the videotape you decided to keep? Afraid to know which ones went in the bin 😬😁

[@Taketimeout3]

Hello mate! Pukka! Loads of money! Bish Bash Bosh. Milwall! Got a cortina? Haha. No problem. You remind me of when I lived in Woolwich (a long time ago).

[@charliebrown6850]

Great video, I have a Samsung VHS player and it has an issue, the audio is perfect but the picture flickers and produces a horizonal lines across screen, I have tried to clean the tape path (head, spools etc , I have also removed the tape cleaner, but the flicker persists), and ideas? It has auto tracking and this does not remedy, It was working fine until a few months ago, clear picture etc. Many thanks.

[@TheMrGerich]

It can be a tape path alignment issue because roller guides could have unscrewed. There are some videos available on the KZbin about this problem.

[@northernplacecorporation]

Besides, both of the Smile Orange VHS tapes you have, those being "I'll Kill Ya!" and "Hunt for the Yorkshire Grimace", all have given a BBFC rating of 18.

[@Good_Luck_8619]

Does anyone know here if it’s possible to trick the head to allow it to read the transparent tape ? I got this vhs tape closer towards the end of the tape about 30mins prior to end there’s a bit of tape that’s magnetic and has a transparent line made from previous vcr chewing it it’s all bent but with my new vcr goes through yet coming to that point just stops and rewinds the tape I can stop it and eject it I want to ensure it can read that h t of tape without stop and rewind it’s annoying I got cool 80s music videos on it and wanna digitise em but it stop there ! I wish I could attach the image here ! I cleaned the tape with medical alcohol in case of diet it stops but no , it’s the transparent line between magnetic area trucking the head to think it’s blank tape totally which isn’t ! I realise painting that area with permanent marker also a bad idea for the head ! Just to trick it ! Idk what to do ! Thanx all 🙏

[@floreen1st]

Paint the area on the opposite side. That should be fine.

[@Good_Luck_8619]

@@floreen1st right sounds like a great plan thank you very much :)

[@rtrey2436]

My Hitachi DVR/VHS player will not eject the VHS tape ...when I push the on button it comes on for about 20 sec then turns itself off Help

[@MsShazberry]

I've recently just had the same problem with my Toshiba and it was working perfectly fine in 2010..hoping if it can get repaired

[@CK2012]

should you wear gloves so body grease from the hands do not get on the reels ?

[@fawn999]

I've never used a piece of cloth to clean a video head..I've always used a qtip with alchohol ..but thanks !!!

[@orlandojohnson300]

Cleaning is easy to make change heads and get them is the challenge I have 3 VHS headless already there and No use parts

[@vintagecameras9623]

nice

[@frizzyred1292]

I wonder with updated technology how much more efficient a modern VCR could be. I think these will get made eventually.

[@JKnight89]

Didn't clean erase or audio heads, forgot that one rubber roller. Btw there's still a spot on that FOUR head video head.

[@jimmyprochard1102]

You didn't clean the pinch roller. It clearly has loads of white deposits caked on at top and bottom and could have done with a good clean. I don't see the point of going over again with the lint free wipes what you've cleaned with the buds unless you are in a rush to get it done asap. Just leave it and give it time for the IPA to dry completely. I prefer to cut out small squares from a clean piece of chamois leather for cleaning the video heads/Hi-Fi audio heads and flying erase head (as applicable to the deck you are cleaning). Other than this, all done as I do it myself.

[@Canaanite]

They dideny look dirty at the first place. Why clean?

[@crashbandicoot4everr]

Nice video but you forgot the pinch roller. It is very dirty.

[@TheBudgie29]

They didn't have any Rubber Revitalizer, Don't ever use Alcohol on this, as It strips the coating off, leaving It shinny and smooth, with no grip.

[@GeorgeGeorge-xj2bc]

The television chassis,crt and yoke for sure are NOKIA/ITT but the tv brand name is unvisible.

[@JohnnyangelNIU]

This video is pretty much dead on, though you CAN spend a bit extra time on it repeating the steps a few times - as long as it is done carefully, it won't hurt to do the process several times. I used 3 strips of paper to clean the main spindle until I stopped seeing black, and several q-tips to clean the other two heads- and even the surrounding areas of everything. It is a very simple process. I do not recommend those "cleaning cassettes" as they are complete garbage and don't even work half the time. This is a very simple and THOROUGH method if done with precision and care.

[@paymydues]

That dry cloth you are using looks too unsuitable especially dry to get caught up on those heads.

[@sirdanielwatlingsmbe5625]

You forgot to clean the pinch roller

[@gareth5000]

30kv

[@SunnyAustria]

Oh nooo, everythings wrong in this operation. Thr professional way!? wtf

[@samthornley]

Nice video! Cash Converters? Naaaaa lol, ebay or car boot sales. The high end JVC unit i have cost me a £1.

[@xmoroseguyx]

+Sam Thornley Charity shops also get them in often

[@frankwelch3941]

is ISP the same thing as Rubbing Alcohol?

[@carlosduran]

+Frank Welch Yep.

[@originaltrilogy1]

Not always, rubbing alcohol can have all manner of additives, including water. Get 100% or 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol. It is often at a hardware store near the turpentine etc.

[@frizzyred1292]

99-100% will just evaporate. the 90% bottles are best.@@originaltrilogy1

[@originaltrilogy1]

@@frizzyred1292 You want it to evaporate and not leave the residue of whatever they felt like making the other 10% out of. 100% is readily available and does the job without worrying about impurities that will damage the heads long term.

[@frizzyred1292]

damn, i just got a bottle with 90%, surely itll do the job, though?@@originaltrilogy1

[@offgridselfteliant]

Hilarious, I just use toilet paper and carb cleaner! Oh hush, my vcr is 20 years old!

[@larryshaver3568]

what is copoy paper

[@Federico84]

+Larry Shaver i think he wanted to write copy paper

[@larryshaver3568]

I realized that shortly after I watched the video

[@Ksawery_Ksawerski]

No longer spoil more VCRs. You buy your stand to the camera, because you can get a neurosis.

[@pyroguy1233]

would rubbing alcohol work

[@Wolfstanus]

wrong wrong wrong lol. sure it cleans it and damages it too

[@livinlifetothefullest2750]

12:21 definitely ain't professional. when i hooked up my stereo and tv components across 2 separate boards to separate wall sockets i made sure all the voltages were documented and then equally spread across each board so even if each device on 1 board was operating the maximum Wattage would be far below the maximum voltage trip of that 1 board. very important

[@markbutler5730]

Are you going to do a video of Thomas the tank engine?

[@TheJonnyPig]

I think Stewart would have been up for it and I live near where Thomas does trips sometimes in Kent but unfortunately he passed away a few years ago, but so greatfull to have captured a small part of his knowledge and passion in this video!

[@iziriamarcus9310]

No

[@user-rf4nd2kt4t]

ачхиии экюзме!!!ооома гоот!!!

[@acefrehley3797]

DON'T CLEAN THE WITH PLASTIC GUIDING ROLLER. THY BETTER CAN BE REMOVED AND CLEANED WITH CLEANIG FLEUWIT WHERE YOU WATER ADED. AN ON THE METAL PLATE IS USEAL WHEN YOU BUY THE RECORDER SOME VET ON THE PLACES THE ARMS GET WITH THE TAPE TO THE DRUM. BUT BECAUSE THE VIDEO RECORDER GETS HOT INSITE DE VET WIL DISSAPERE. REPLACE IT. ORE THE MACHINE GETS IN TRUBBLE.

[@georgescuovidiu1214]

Wrong, the head must be cleaned with a printer paper using isopropilic alcool this is the professional cleaning.

[@volkerking5757]

First you shall clean your room! Never clean a Videoheaddrum like this wiht a cottonestick - if you broke a Videohead on your Headdrum who will pay you the repair of this Videohead? Clean it with a Fluseless cloth (textil) but not with this cottonestick! This is a unprofessional amateur information - no technican in the world will clean a Videoheaddrum with a cottonstick only a unknown person do this!

[@trailside9010]

There’s always that guy who doesn’t watch the video and sounds off like a dickhead.

[@joshuaturner2043]

Joshmnm3o joshmnm2 ❤😂😅😊❤

[@MultiTechnicss]

Sorry I can't understand your english..