Sony Handycam DCR-HC35 Problem?

Question

Sony Handycam DCR-HC35, dropped in the sea. Camera works, zoom works, even battery works. The tape door does not however. It is jammed and will not pop open. The camera is a friends (he broke it) and I think he has sprayed WD-40 into the tape drive (probably thinking it would free it up)

What should I do/open up/etc...

Thanks in advance,

Luke

Answer 1

The salt water will probably cause many of the electronics in the camera to start oxidizing. This will take a bit of time.

Spraying WD-40 on it would most likely have the video recording heads now clogged with the oils from that lubricant. Cleaning the heads and other parts of the tape mechanism would need to be done by a qualified technician.

Essentially, the ocean water drop was good enough to start shopping for a replacement - and the WD-40 iced that cake.

Chances are pretty good the tape is messed up too because the WD-40 is probably on the tape. Even if you get the tape door open and the tape out of that camcorder, DO NOT put that tape in another camcorder or a deck... The WD-40 would clog the heads of whatever device you put that tape in.