Tape brands such as Ampex, Quantegy, TDK, Maxell, BASF, Zonal will almost definitely suffer from Sticky-Shed-Syndrome.

S-S-S is a condition created by the deterioration of the binders in a magnetic tape, which holds the ferric oxide magnetisable coating to its plastic carrier, or which hold the thinner back-coating on the outside of the tape. Some kinds of binder are known to break down over time, due to the absorption of moisture. This deterioration renders the tape unusable.

Tapes suffering from S-S-S will play and wind sluggishly making a screeching/squeaking sound. The tape will leave dusty, rusty particles on the guides and heads.

THE CURE: ‘Tape Baking’.

Tapes are baked at low temperatures for relatively long periods of time, such as 130F to 140F (54C to 60C) for 1 to 8 hours. We are able to bake all size tapes from 1/4″ to 2″. Tape baking temporarily removes the moisture that has accumulated in the binder. A baked tape will function like new for a few weeks to a few months before moisture takes over and it becomes unplayable again.

We have restored, transferred and archived hundreds of tapes with 100% success.