Scotch Tape

[DavidG02]

In North America 'Scotch tape' is what we call cello tape in the U.K. so you might want to change the title to avoid confusion 

Scotch Tape in Technical help? I thought of the sticky tape ( Aussie ) as well.

Glad you found google Colm

[Ray T]

With respect to any old tape, the first rule is DONT play it. [Unless you want to destroy anything on it.] If the tape contains anything of importance, you need to go to a specialist.

The problem with tape is that, over time, the iron oxide, which is stuck to the tape and records the information, deteriorates and, the first time you play it, it's likely to flake off. The effect of this is that it quickly covers your tape heads with iron oxide powder, muffling whatever comes next and ruins the tape. This is especially problematic if the tape has been badly stored.

The solution to this, however strange it may sound, is to first bake the tape and there are companies that specialise in doing this before transferring whatever is on the tape to a more modern format.

[Ray T]

Giving the thread title more thought, although "Scotch Tape" was known generically as "Sellotape", I think the firm also made quarter inch recording tape so it is this the OP is referring to.