Digital BW, The Print

--- In DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@y..., "smithj72" <smithj72@y...> wrote:
> I have an Epson 1280 with which I use a MIS VM inkset.  Lately, it 
> appears to have some ink on the underside of the head and as it 
> passes over the paper, it creates ink smudges. 

Justin,

the previous 2 messages have good advice already. Some additional notes:

- I wouldn't advise using alcohol. Fantastik works very well.

- To get under the head, lightly soak a kitchen towel or wipes or whatever and 
carefully fold so that the head will slide over the material when it is set in the 
trough. Important Tip: Use the + - (thickness) lever to help you in this. Put it in 
+ to get the head over the soaked towel, then in - to make the head contact the 
towel and run it back and forth. Be gentle, don't press down and keep 
changing towels.

- You don't need to unplug or even turn the printer off. Just make sure it's not 
about to print, reach to the left where a big white plastic wheel is visible. 
Rotate towards you just a bit. You will notice a lock (tab) that will release by 
the side of the head that is nearest you at the base of the chassis. That's all. 
Now you can slide the head at will. When done, lock it again as a "courtesy" to 
the brains of the printer. It will still find its place if you don't.

- To clean the little rubber rollers lay down a soaked towel and use that same 
big white wheel to turn the platten (main rubber roller that moves the paper) 
and therefore turn these little buggers. Clean until clean!

- The other area of contamination is the sponge that caps the heads and acts 
as the "spitoon" when head cleanings occur. Carefully and gently (not to upset 
the delicate springs underneath) mop up what you can with several pats of a 
dry kitchen towel. By "kitchen towel" I always mean a sturdy paper towel that 
won't shread easily or leave a bunch of lint and threads behind. This is not 
where to save money. Buy the best for this use.

This should become routine maintenance - long before unwanted ink hits 
paper.

Please also explore the tech support pages of inkjetmall.com. They wrote the 
book on the subject (big credit to Bill Bergh).

Good luck.


Antonis