How to Restore Old VHS Tapes
Old VHS tapes are still a mainstay in many people's lives and video collections. A lot of old VHS films, including special interest and foreign film titles, are simply not converted to DVD. Unfortunately, VHS tapes can become worn, with the tape inside twisted or snapped. Cases are made from plastic, and in hot climates or storage places, such as attics, they can melt. Yet cases can be replaced, and the film itself can be fixed if twisted or broken.
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Things You'll Need
- Small screwdriver
- Small pocket knife
- New VHS case
- Scotch tape
- White cotton gloves
- Splicing kit
- Small pair of scissors
- Glue adhesive
Instructions
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Examine the case first. Look it over to see if it is structurally intact, and not melted. Replace the case if necessary. Take a small screwdriver and remove the rivets holding the case together. Using a small pocket knife, slice away any stickers or labels on the edges.
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2
Remove the top part of the case, and then take out the wheels with the film around it. Reinsert into a new VHS case, in the same direction. Leave enough slack so that the film can run through the top. When the film is intact, tighten it on the wheel, close case and test to see that it is in working condition.
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3
Insert your pointer finger into the right wheel on the outside of the VHS tape and twist it to the right, so that the loose film tightens around the reel from the inside, all the way back into the cassette. This is necessary if the main problem is basically unwound, loose film. Flip the cover shut after the film is wound back in place.
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Press the release button, which is the small button on the side that opens the cover up, if the case is in good condition. Look at the film to see if it is loose. Take a piece of Scotch tape and tape the cover to the case so that you can work freely without the cover closing on the film. Inspect the tape and make sure there is no grease or dirt on the tape, because that can get into the VHS machine and cause smearing problems.
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Wear white cotton gloves before handling the film to prevent fingerprints and oil from the skin from getting onto the film. If the film is crinkled, wrinkled, torn or actually detached, the film will have to be cut to remove the damaged part, and then spliced together.
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Use a splicing kit or a small pair of scissors to remove the damaged sections. Splice the film by making a clear cut, similar to an edit. Splice the film at the beginning of the tape or the end so all that might be missing is a bit of end credits or coming attractions, if possible. Only remove as much as is necessary. Use glue adhesive to glue the spliced ends back together, and let dry. Tighten the tape, close the case and test the movie to see if it works.
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References
- Photo Credit vhs tape image by Sonar from Fotolia.com
