How to clean and demagnetize the VCR heads?

[El Enmascarado]

I was given this advice by an unknown member of a remote forum that I need to do this to view dvd-like quality sharpness on my old vhs tapes that I need to transfer to DV for storage.

What would you recommend me to do this on a hi8, s-vhs camcorder and s-vhs VCR. :scared:
I also want to know if is better to use a wet or dry cleaning head kit

[jel]

i usually use isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds to clean the heads on my vcr by removing the case cover i get easy access to the heads.

as far as de-magnetizing heads .. sorry never tried that with a vcr. maybe this link can help?
http://richardhess.com/notes/2006/03/24/demagnetizing-recorders-and-heads/

[El Enmascarado]

i usually use isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds to clean the heads on my vcr by removing the case cover i get easy access to the heads.

as far as de-magnetizing heads .. sorry never tried that with a vcr. maybe this link can help?
http://richardhess.com/notes/2006/03/24/demagnetizing-recorders-and-heads/

I'll test on a broken vcr I stored for good.
About the isopropyl alcohol do I buy it in towel version?

[unmei]

Oh nice. We used to use that as well, but it sounds so "unprofessional" that i thought i couldn't answer with that :)
And El, no, here we used it out of the bottle simply wettening the cotton bud with it.

[Arachnotron]

Believe it or not, there are still books on VCR maintanance (http://www.amazon.com/Troubleshooting-Repair-Third-Robert-Brenner/dp/075069940X/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product/105-4813088-1731610) in print. A bit overkill if you just want to clean the heads, but very informative if you want to know what makes these things tick.