Hurricane Katrina Affected VHS Tape Repair?

[Gina B]

I had several VHS tapes go under water in Katrina. Afterwards I dried them thoroughly with a dehumidifier. Some actually play perfectly now, so I am putting them on DVD for safekeeping.

The others do something strange and I feel that something must have gotten damaged in the case mechanism instead of the tape itself.

If I play these tapes, it will show perfect video for a second or two, then the screen will go black. All the while the audio is playing fine. Then, if I fast forward while the tape is playing, I can see the images fine, but in fast motion. Then in play alone, again the screen goes blank but the audio plays.

I can fast forward and rewind the entire tape ok, so the tape is apparently not sticking to itself.

So obviously the video is actually there but not showing. VHS head cleaner does nothing. Tapes that were not affected by water play fine.

Opening the flap on the cassette shows the tape in good shape, not crinkled.

This particular one I want to repair most is a treasured family VHS and both the video and audio are still on it. But what can I try to get it to play?

Thanks so much for any help you can give me here or email to walk804@bellsouth.net

[JSPhoto]

There are some companies who can retrieve video from damaged vhs and film tape but it isnt cheap. There are also some "tape cleaners" that may help.
It's possible though that if it was salt water it may have damaged the tapes

JS