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Re: [ARSCLIST] Advice on restoring a 1954 audiotape
Grete:
Do not try to
clean moldy tape by multiple fast forward/rewind passes. This does not
work well with mold and can damage moldy tape. Tapes with mold can often
be suffering from other problems such as binder hydrolysis, binder-base adhesion
failure and/or sections of the tape edge that are adhering between wraps due to
action of the mold on the tape components where the mold is most
active.
Here's some
advice, if you want to try and treat the tape yourself:
First, to
properly clean off mold, the mold must be driven into dormancy. Attempts
to wipe off active mold will often spread the contamination rather than removing
it. Dormancy can be achieved by placing the tape in an environment with
low humidity for a few weeks. We use an environmental chamber and reduce
the RH to below 30%RH.
Second, the tape
should be tested to determine if hydrolysis or binder-base adhesion failure is a
problem. If these are present, the tape should be treated to stabilize it
before playback to avoid permanent damage to the recording
layer.
It is important
to always wear protective gear when handling or cleaning tapes with mold.
At the very least, you should wear latex gloves, a dust mask and some form of
eye protection. Mold can cause health problems that can be severe if
someone is sensitive. It is best to remove and clean all clothing worn
during the mold removal process or to wear a smock that can be removed. Do
not hold or interact closely with small children after heavy mold exposure until
you have washed any exposed skin and changed your outer clothes.
To clean off the
mold, non-dusting, non-abrasive tissue wipes can be used. The entire
surface of the tape, both front and back and head to tail, need to be
wiped. This will remove most of the flowering heads but will not remove
all. Frequently, chemical treatment is required. You will also want
to replace or chemically treat the reel.
You can do a
rough test for binder instability during early stages of the tissue
wipe. If you get a "waxy" residue or little "flakes" of tape
come off on the tissues, you have a binder instability problem that may
need to be addressed before continuing with the tissue wipe.
Of course, you
can try these things yourself or you can send the tape to a facility that does
this sort of work and has specialized equipment and technicians trained in the
procedures.
We decontaminate
tapes with fungus on a regular basis and would be glad to talk with you off-list
if you want more information.
Peter Brothers
President
SPECS BROS., LLC
(201)
440-6589
www.specsbros.com
Celebrating 20 Years of Restoration and
Disaster Recovery Service
-----Original Message-----
From:
Association for Recorded Sound Discussion List [mailto:ARSCLIST@xxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of Grete Pasch
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2003 8:49
PM
To: ARSCLIST@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ARSCLIST] Advice on
restoring a 1954 audiotape
I'm new to this
list, so perhaps I should introduce myself briefly. I direct the New
Media department at a private university in Guatemala city. We produce
educational video and audio programs that we stream via the Internet or
distribute on DVDs or CDs. So I have many practical questions about
storage formats and conditions, but today I have one specific problem on my
mind.
The President of
the University brought me an audiotape recorded in 1954, to see if we can
rescue its contents (apparently a home recording of an important radio
program). We don't know anything about the length of the program or the
recording spped. It's a "600 ft red oxide on plastic type 651"
reel. The tape and the plastic reel are both covered with hundreds of
fuzzy mold dots. I've taken some pictures:
I have found some
reel-to-reel equipment that we could use to read the tape, however, how do we
get rid of the mold? I've heard two suggestions: one, fearlessly wipe
the mold clean while fast forwarding the tape, using a soft cloth, then read
it. And two, mail the tape to Vidipax in NY, where it should receive the
best treatment. Any suggestions on how I should proceed? I
will really appreciate any help you all can give me!!
Saludos
cordiales,
-Grete
