When video tapes like VHS or old film like 8mm film or 16mm film is water or mildew damaged, it’s crucial to handle it with care to prevent further deterioration. Here are the steps to follow:

Immediate steps.

1. Handle with Care: Use gloves to handle the film to avoid transferring oils from your hands.
2. Dry the Film: If the film is wet, gently pat it dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. Lay the film out in a cool, dry place with good air circulation to air dry. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources as they can cause the film to warp.
3. Seek Professional Help: Film is fragile and any further damage could become irreversible, it might be best to consult a professional like the experts at SavingTape.

Seek professional help from a company like SavingTape to clean and transfer these old family heirloom films into a digital format.

1. Consult a Professional: They have the tools and expertise to handle and restore damaged film safely.
2. Digitization: Once the film is cleaned, an expert company like SavingTape can digitize the media to preserve the content. This also ensures that you have a backup in case the physical film deteriorates further.

Remember, proper storage of your historical media is critical and will mitigate unexpected and potential catastrophic damage in the future.

1. Proper Storage: Store the film in a cool, dry place, preferably in archival-quality storage containers. Keep the humidity and temperature stable to prevent further damage. If stored in a basement make sure the container is either water-proof or elevated off of the floor.
2. Regular Check-ups: Periodically check the film for any signs of new damage or deterioration.

By following these steps, you can mitigate the damage to your 8mm or 16mm film and old VHS tapes and preserve its content for the future.

We can also restore or mitigate damage done to old slides and recapture the images into digital form.

Please contact us directly to discuss the damage and whether we could preserve the memories from your old partially damaged slides by capturing the images into digital form.