Depending on the tape formulation and level of deterioration, sometimes you are lucky to get one chance at playback to transfer to another medium. I run into many I couldn't save due to poor storage conditions over the years. I still have my analog 8 track but my archive has long been digitized. Keeping it for a friend who keeps putting off doing the work. You're working with old analog and complaining about wasting money? LOL.One song.
I'm asking because the tape was baked for 24 hours, then rested for same.
It seems baking it not all it's cracked up to be.
Bought a dehydrator on advice - now see it as a waste of $.
I’ve had some Scotch tapes that were like that. I think that’s more ‘flakey shed’ where the oxide just flakes off and crumbles.