RE: [AV Media Matters] acetate tape and plasticizer crystals

[llufrio@icaic.inf.cu]

Hello, Nathan.

You seem to be having a severe case of the vinegar syndrome. The acetic acid
smell must have struck you too, even if you don't mention it.

White cristalline dust shows on motion picture film also, in the latter
stages of acetate base decomposition.

I have no exeperience about washing or wet cleaning audio tape, and wouldn't
reccommend it either, since binder and magnetic coating might dissapear
altogether.

Unfortunately most of the people with experience in audio tape restoration
seem to be away at NAB, so maybe you'll have to wait a few days for a tested
solution.

In the meanwhile, separate these tapes (and all other acetate base tapes
that smell like a well dressed salad) from the rest of your collection
(vinegar syndrome is contagious) and store them at a low temperature DRY
environment, say about  40F and 30-40% RH. This will slow down base
decomposition and give you time to transfer your recordings in a while.

All acetate based media should be stored cold and dry, specially dry.

José E. Llufrío
<llufrio@icaic.inf.cu>