Buddy,
It may not be mildew. Sometimes two-inch tape exudes binder hydrolysis
byproducts that show up on the outer edge of the tape pack. I saw it fairly
regularly with two-inch videotape.

Look at it closely under a magnifying loupe. Hydrolysis byproducts look
like fine white crystals, not like organic threads or spots.

Steve



Steve Greene
Audiovisual Archivist
Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
National Archives and Records Administration
(301) 837-1772

On Tue, May 8, 2018 at 2:50 AM, Blue Star <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hello list members,
>
> I have just come into ownership of ten 2" reels (24 track) that have
> mildew on the edges. There are some ideas through google search to kill
> the mold then clean it but I would like to hear from you on the list. This
> is to clean the tapes before baking.
>
> Thank you,
> BW
> Buddy Weaver
>
>