How Do I Clean The Internal Contacts Of A Vcr Remote Control?

[AndiFlatland]

I'm still in the land of the VCR, and still find it the best method of recording. At least, until the dwindling stocks of video tapes finally dry up.
As I do a lot of recordings, I can often sit with the remote control in my hand for long periods, and I know that sweat and grease from even the cleanest hands can seep into the tiny gaps between the buttons and the shell, and get on to the contacts, rendering them inoperative.
With previous remotes, I found I could remove a screw and prise the shell apart, and I could clean the contacts with a cotton bud laced with isopropyl alcohol.
But the machine I'm currently using (a very nice Toshiba with little previous use) has no visible means of accessing the inner parts of its remote, and I don't want to try and pull the thing apart, in case I break it and can't get it back together again. It does appear to have a 2-sided shell with a seam around the outer edges - but I've tried coaxing it apart, and nothing gives. I have to find a way to clean the contacts, as the rewind button is now almost impossible to get any action from.
I'm wondering if I could use an Air Duster, with the straw right on top of the gaps around the buttons, giving it a good hard blast. Would this do the trick, or could there be another way of doing it? Would switch cleaner be effective?

[Cloverjo]

Can you get a replacement remote? While looking for a new tv remote yesterday I saw a few that would have worked for my fairly old VCR. Google the model number of your machine with 'remote' and you might find something suitable.

[Old_Geezer]

Probably glued or clipped together around the edge. You could try prising it open but I think Jo probably has the best way forward.

[TheChair]

If you remove the batteries, you may find a couple of screws holding the case together.

[murraymints]

wouldn't meddle....there is an aerosol you can buy for cleaning electric/electronic gizmos..oh bought some fro internet..Maplins maybe ?

[murraymints]

Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[aelmpvw]

i didn't know you could still record with vcr's?

[murraymints]

as long as you can tune VCR into telly ..yes !

[HansUrbancka]

I would suggest your follow the advice of Cloverjo.

Incidentally, a tip for keeping Remote Controllers perfectly clean......Cover them with Kitchen Cling-film.... A good protection against spilled liquids, greasy fingers, and dust.

Hans.

[Khandro]

Hans; a remote control covered in clingfilm sounds like a pretty disgusting object to have lying around, let alone to handle :0)

I record mostly on DVDs, my Panasonic recorder has DVD and CD recording facilty, and it can even copy from one type to the other. DVDs can be recorded over and over again, which is more economical and more 'green'.
Remote controls have a small lens on the front through which the signal goes to the device, the lens should be kept clean with a coton bud every so often, if it is dirty it can effect its performance.

[murraymints]

I record to hard drive.unless something comes on I want to keep ..then to disc

[HansUrbancka]

@Khandro...Easy to regularly change a covering of Cling-film. Not so easy to clean a dusty, greasy coated, finger marked Controller; or one over which a mug of sugared coffee has been spilled. I know from experience. ☺☺☺

Cheers..Hans.

[Togo]

You will be able to split the remote. As advised look for any screws in the battery compartment and under any foil label stuck to the back of the remote. Use a plastic guitar pick to separate and the contacts will likely be under a rubber mat which is removable. Tip.. take a picture or draw where all the buttons are located. They may fall out of their slots when the handset is split. Then using a good switch cleaner ( or nail polish remover) clean the graphite studs on the rubber mat and the gold contacts on the pcb. I would add that sometimes the graphite studs on the rubber mat become compressed and flattened out after continuous use and soon get tarnished again after cleaning due to arcing between the contacts. Then the only answer is a new handset. Been there I used to be a CTV and Video Recorder repair man.