My head cleaner won't work.

The truth is, those consumer wet or dry head cleaners based on the use
of an insertable cassette really don't do the job.  In fact, some can
do more harm than good.  But VCR cleaning (which includes cleaning of
the heads) is a very necessary operation which should be done every
30-50 hours of operation.

The problems to be addressed stem from:
    * Build up of loose oxide particles on and around the rotating heads
         (no matter how many there are)
    * Build up of the same on the audio and control track heads
    * Build up of tape adhesive on the rollers, capstans, and tape guides
    * All of the above contaminants on the head drum
    * Dust in the machine

In fact, this adhesive buildup problem can be far more serious that
dirty heads, perhaps even damaging the tape or the VCR.

A serious cleaning requires a proper solvent, lintless gloves, lintless
swabs, and special head cleaning pads.  A nice kit with these parts
is available from Radio Shack.  Now comes the hard part.

You must remove the cover of the VCR.  If you have ample hair and a
beard like me, be extra careful of get a surgical cap and mask!  Use
the solvent and a swap to get to the guides, capstans, and rollers.
you may notice that the rollers show the tape's footprint.  After cleaning,
the rollers should NOT be shiny.  Cleaning the head assembly is tricky.
HEADS MUST BE CLEANED ONLY IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL TO AVOID BENDING
OR BREAKAGE; THEY ARE VERY DELICATE.  Wet a head cleaner pad, touch
the crum surface, and rotate the drum, holding the pad stationary.
Look for other dirt, dust, or hair in the machine.

CAVEAT:  This is a tricky operation and could easily lead to damage
of your VCR.  Read directions carefully.  Sincethis type of head cleaning
is considered to be a professional operation, you may want to let an
expert do it and avoid the risk.

=========David Taylor Research Center (a US Navy lab) - Annapolis, MD==========
    /|/| /||)|/  /~_/\| |\|)[~|)/~_  |  "Everyone's entitled to MY opinion."
   / | |/~||\|\  \_/\/|_|/|)[_|\\_/  |      goldb @oasys.dt.navy.mil
"Poor is the man whose pleasure depends on the permission of another."-Madonna

        [VCR cleaning details deleted]

True.  However, if you're adventurous, you might want to check out the
December (I think) issue of Videomaker.  They give a good description about
how to clean VCRs and camcorders.  I followed their instructions to clean one
of my machines and everything went well.  One just needs to exercise care and
patience and everything should go well.  One point to note, though: Even the
Videomaker article says that one should have their VCR cleaned by a pro once
in a while.  They made the distinction that there is more to cleaning a VCR
than just swabbing the tape surfaces with solvent.  Specifically, a true,
thorough cleaning should include demagnetizing the heads, etc.  Just doing
what was mentioned in the article is considered maintenance, not cleaning.

Happy swabbing!

                            Paul Kerchen

kerc @fuji.eecs.ucdavis.edu    - or -  kerc @holly.eecs.ucdavis.edu