Are sensor swabs good for cleaning video heads?

[newbie_but_trying]

Hello- I must say this site has been very helpful in my learning process for transferring Hi-8 and VHS to digital. A bit overwhelming but a lot of knowledge gleaned! I have a Sony TRV-65 Hi-8 camcorder and the tapes were recorded between 1998 and 2013. I anticipate needing to clean the video head and once I get to working on VHS tapes expect the need for cleaning the head on a VCR even more so.

I see these available on Amazon, would either of them be recommend for use (along with IPA)? I understand the printer paper might be a good option for VCR heads, but the camcorder head is difficult to access and having something on a stick seems beneficial.

AAWipes Sensor Cleaning Swabs for APS-C Sensors of DDR DSLR or SLR Camera:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...MHDQ4ACL3&th=1

VSGO Camera Sensor Cleaning Kit for Micro Four Thirds (M43) Cameras:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...A7O2R0JT&psc=1

The camcorder head is small, which is why I am looking at these narrower items.

I appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks

[radiokom]

No, they are not.
Remove head cover (NOT cassette loader cover) and clean head with paper soaked with IPA or ethyl alcohol.
And do not forget to remove head cleaner if still remains.

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[newbie_but_trying]

Thanks for the quick reply!

My camcorder is top loading and it doesn't have quite the same easy access. Though I did find screws to remove from the bottom and got it 'partially' apart but stopped as I didn't want to damage anything. The bottom piece wraps around and includes the on/off switch which has a ribbon attachment. I'll have to look at it some more later to see if I can get the bottom cover off and have adequate access.

[radiokom]

Turn your camcorder upside down and remove cover. All they has head cover for service, no one try (or should not) to service them trough loader Refer to service manual, do not break something by try and error method!

P.S. And remember, if you do not remove that sticky (because of age) head cleaner (if present) any head cleaning is pointless. Just remove those screws arrows are pointed to. For cover just above head drum. And remove cover.

-- merged --

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbie_but_trying

My camcorder is top loading and it doesn't have quite the same easy access.

However, you are right - for your camera is simpler way to access drum. Just 2 screws and remove loader cover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V17YEJWXOoI

Then you can clean heads by paper (if your fingers are thin enough ) or get lint free cotton swabs.

-- merged --

Find MG Chemicals 810D or similar:

https://mgchemicals.com/products/dis...chamois-swabs/

P.S. If you are in US perhaps you can get them from here:

https://www.alumnicei.org/product-p-766097.html

[newbie_but_trying]

Perfect- I indeed took the cover off and it is a reasonably easy access to the head and I might even be able to use the paper method. But I think I'll try to source those chamois swabs just to be sure I don't poke anything else with my big fingers!

By the way, what about those on Amazon items I linked to make them not recommended for use? Is it that they are microfiber (at least one of them anyway) instead of chamois?

Yes, I am in the US. The item you linked to is discontinued on the manufactures website. But seems like it might be available in the 15 pack on the second site you linked to. Do you have any personal experience ordering from this site?

Lastly, I can see the foam 'cleaner' inside my camcorder and it is absolutely on the bottom, almost under the video head. So if I want to remove it I will have to figure out how to get the bottom cover off. I've attached an image to confirm I am looking at the correct thing.

Thanks!

[lordsmurf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbie_but_trying

By the way, what about those on Amazon items I linked to

Most sensor swabs are fine. I'm not 100% on those exact swabs, but I suggest avoiding anything cheap.

I only use, and I only suggest, the actual "Sensor Swab" brand by Photographic Solutions.
https://amzn.to/41ZIaCW
Available at Amazon, or camera stores like B&H and Adorama.

Quote:

Is it that they are microfiber (at least one of them anyway) instead of chamois?

This would concern me. Fibers = bad.

Quote:

Yes, I am in the US. The item you linked to is discontinued on the manufactures website. But seems like it might be available in the 15 pack on the second site you linked to. Do you have any personal experience ordering from this site?

I have concerns about this site. I'll explain why...

Quote:

I indeed took the cover off

BTW, the internals of that camera look filthy, either heavy dust or mold spores. Yikes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiokom

Find MG Chemicals 810D or similar:
P.S. If you are in US perhaps you can get them from here:

Alumnicei has a great price, but are you sure it's genuine? I'm not.

This comment concerns me:

Quote:

Steve
January 6, 2025
I bought these for lintless cleaning of tape heads using 91% alcohol. I noticed particles coming off of them. I tried to clean the loose particles off one with blue masking tape before use and was amazed at how much of the chamois came off with the tape. They were purchased new and used immediately. Needless to say, they aren't going anywhere near my tape heads!

I agree, zero chance I'd ever let something like that near my gear heads. Not worth it. I'd rather create a make-shift swab from folded paper.

Quote:

mgchemicals.com/products/discontinued-products

Well, that's not good. I hate to see the community use yet another tool/supply we need. I wonder if this is another political/China/tariff fallout. We are seeing those effects (even if most people don't yet realize or understand it) in other areas too.

<sigh> Even video can't escape geopolitics.

[radiokom]

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbie_but_trying

By the way, what about those on Amazon items I linked to make them not recommended for use? Is it that they are microfiber (at least one of them anyway) instead of chamois?

Any cloth no matter microfiber or not is not for cleaning heads. For example, it can get caught on sharp edges and damage heads. If use swabs - then those what are prescribed for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbie_but_trying

Yes, I am in the US. The item you linked to is discontinued on the manufactures website. But seems like it might be available in the 15 pack on the second site you linked to. Do you have any personal experience ordering from this site?

I am in Europe so no experience with that site, but I see nothing wrong with it. Just buy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbie_but_trying

Lastly, I can see the foam 'cleaner' inside my camcorder and it is absolutely on the bottom, almost under the video head. So if I want to remove it I will have to figure out how to get the bottom cover off. I've attached an image to confirm I am looking at the correct thing

Yes it is that. If it is not brittle, you can try to pull it off by tweezers. You do not need to remove mechanism, just pull foam off plastic rod. But be careful to not scratch drum and you do not need to leave debris inside, so if it is brittle, take off cover.

Particular cover is together with side panel. It is not complex to remove it. Just look in attached SM page 2-4.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordsmurf

Alumnicei has a great price, but are you sure it's genuine? I'm not.
This comment concerns me:

Well, good question. Maybe they are genuine but really old stock and degrades? Who knows. I was just curious for availability in US and just searched google. This was nearly only site I found where they are still in stock. In Europe they still can be found/ordered even in local electronic stores, but they are last stock. Sadly.

[newbie_but_trying]

Thanks so much for the service manual! That will be helpful. Unfortunately, I will be interrupted on this effort for a couple weeks but am sure I'll be back with more questions.

[newbie_but_trying]

LS- I am finally getting back to this project and trying to redo some of my research... I see back in 2014 you recommended the following foam swabs:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...HFK3NPXSMQGS36

Given its been a while, would these still be a good option? There is no question the price point is attractive! 100 pieces for $17 instead of 12 for $40 (the Photographic Solutions swabs).

Thanks for any insights-
Don

[newbie_but_trying]

oops- I just saw in a more recent post that you have found the newer foam swabs to be of poor quality.