Hi Marie,

You mentioned "solution of hydrogen peroxide".  Could you describe the 
solution for us?

I've used a strong solution of white vinegar before (about 50% vinegar, 
50% distilled water) but I suspect your solution of hydrogen peroxide is 
more effective.

Thanks,

Corey
Corey Bailey Audio Engineering
www.baileyzone.net

On 6/4/2012 11:24 PM, Marie O'Connell wrote:
> As Tom Fine has said.......safety first!  Please wear correct masks
> recommended for mold and also gloves.  Do the process in an isolated area.
> We had a specific room for mold treatment before our earthquakes here.
> This will be coming at some point as we rebuild.
>
> Now that you are gloved and masked up - Photograph the boxes for all
> information, including the spines, if there is any info on them, that is.
> With a hepa vaccum, remove all mold from both sides.  If you are able to
> unscrew the reel, eg, 10.5 and some 7 inch will have this, do this and put
> the reel into a solution of hydrogen peroxide.  If not, then where the gaps
> are on the reel apply and wipe a very light cotton ball soaked in the
> hydrogen peroxide over this, both sides.
>
> Now, using a machine devoted to moldy tapes, slow wind it on to a screwed
> metal reel.  Do it outside of your studio as it seems you do not have a
> devoted room.  I used to wheel a devoted machine out into a courtyard in
> Santa Monica when I was there.  Keep mask and gloves still on.
>
> Fix and replace any splices with archival splicing tape.
>
> This tape will need baking as it is moldy for a reason as it got wet/damp.
> Check to make sure that it isn't acetate tape.  Refer to Richard Hess's
> site for those details.
>
> I have done this method on moldy paper tape, very lightly over the pack
> with the cotton ball which is almost not wet but moist.  I have not baked a
> paper tape.
>
> Good luck!
> Marie
>
> On Tue, Jun 5, 2012 at 8:20 AM, Tom Diamant<[log in to unmask]>wrote:
>
>    
>> I recently went to my personal archive (my garage) to recover some old 7
>> inch reel to reel audio tapes and found they were all damp and had areas
>> covered with big, furry mold. Some are plastic tape, but at least one seems
>> to be paper tape. How can I clean these?
>>
>> Best Regards,
>>
>> Tom Diamant
>>
>> Arhoolie Foundation
>> 10341 San Pablo Ave.
>> El Cerrito, CA 94530
>>
>> Phone: 510-525-7471 , Fax: 510-525-1204
>> Email: [log in to unmask]
>> Website: http://www.arhoolie.org
>>
>>      
>