Good Lubes For VCR Transport Mechanisms
 

Gentlemen,

I have quite a few thrift store VCR's and want some suggestions (preferably resulting from personal experience) as to some workable greases for parts like the tape loading guides and nylon parts.

The service manual for the last one I bought specifies Molytone grease (MOR265) and S.C.R. grease (VFK0680).

These seem to be either very hard to find or outrageously expensive or both.

I.m not trying to do professional restoration, here, just provide a touch up on some machines that look like they might be due.

Thanks for any interest!

Grant

I think the best overall long term stable lubricant (where the spec calls for a type of light grease) is Lubri-Plate. It is a lithium based product. For applications that call for a light oil a product known as Zoom Spout turbine oil excellent.

Make sure you clean off the old goo/dried up lube for applying the new stuff. My favorite solvent is Goof Off (@ home improvement stores like H.Depot). Be careful around plastics though. A less aggressive solvent is 91% or 99% isopropyl alcohol.


Tom (PK)

I use white lithium grease usually.

Thank you for your time!

My latest thrift store find is a Panasonic AG-1980P. Got it for five bucks.

Wouldn't load a tape at first, just whined and spit it out. I almost left it there, but after four or five tries it finally loaded the tape fully and all basic functions worked. Haven't had a problem with it loading since. Maybe a bit of fresh grease will help keep it that way.

Grant

I've run into many VCR's that wouldnt work after being stored unused. After warming up and played with they do.

For $5 quite a deal. I have an AG1970

I have used a product called (I think) Super Lube. It is silicone-based, and available at Harbor Freight Tools stores (so you can get it for 20% off with a coupon).

I recently got a circa 1987 RCA VMT-597 for five bucks. It was made by Hitachi so it's got no less than six belts that need replacement. I think I'll try a dab of white lithium grease on the transport. I prefer Panasonic and Sharp VCR's to Hitachi, but this one was just calling my name.