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Ink Splashes - any good tips?

Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by Tom

Ok here's a frustrating problem.  Maybe some of you have found good
solutions.

My printer is printing magenta splashes.  Something may have gotten
under the print heads at some point (like a strand of paper or dog
hair or something).  The problem is, now that something is on the
bottom of the print head, how the heck can I get under there to clean
it off?  I'm not really partial to taking my printer apart and am
looking for one of those simple solutions people file away in their
"tips and tricks" bags.

Thanks

Tom T

PS:  The nozzles do not appear to be blocked at this time.  The R1800
printer only runs and has run original OEM Epson UltraChrome.

Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by Johnny Eades

Tom,

Here is the solution that I use for the same conditions. Send the
print head to the position you normally use for removing your carts.
Cut a piece of bias tape (can be found in different widths, but get
the size that will fit the track under the line of print head travel
and saturate it with 1:10 household ammonia)  and move the head over
it several times. You do need to wear rubber gloves to avoid ink
coverage of your hands. This is the method Paul Roark uses. He is the
guru on the Yahoo newsgroup DigitalBlackAndWhiteThePrint.

Your friend in Photography,

Johnny



--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Tom" <ttrostel@...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
> Ok here's a frustrating problem.  Maybe some of you have found good
> solutions.
> 
> My printer is printing magenta splashes.  Something may have gotten
> under the print heads at some point (like a strand of paper or dog
> hair or something).  The problem is, now that something is on the
> bottom of the print head, how the heck can I get under there to clean
> it off?  I'm not really partial to taking my printer apart and am
> looking for one of those simple solutions people file away in their
> "tips and tricks" bags.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Tom T
> 
> PS:  The nozzles do not appear to be blocked at this time.  The R1800
> printer only runs and has run original OEM Epson UltraChrome.
>

Re: [colorvision_group] Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by randy

I have used windex and high quality paper towels for the same purpose. I 
like the sound of this method though.

Randy Laskody

Johnny Eades wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>
>Tom,
>
>Here is the solution that I use for the same conditions. Send the
>print head to the position you normally use for removing your carts.
>Cut a piece of bias tape (can be found in different widths, but get
>the size that will fit the track under the line of print head travel
>and saturate it with 1:10 household ammonia)  and move the head over
>it several times. You do need to wear rubber gloves to avoid ink
>coverage of your hands. This is the method Paul Roark uses. He is the
>guru on the Yahoo newsgroup DigitalBlackAndWhiteThePrint.
>
>Your friend in Photography,
>
>Johnny
>
>
>
>--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Tom" <ttrostel@...> wrote:
>  
>
>>Ok here's a frustrating problem.  Maybe some of you have found good
>>solutions.
>>
>>My printer is printing magenta splashes.  Something may have gotten
>>under the print heads at some point (like a strand of paper or dog
>>hair or something).  The problem is, now that something is on the
>>bottom of the print head, how the heck can I get under there to clean
>>it off?  I'm not really partial to taking my printer apart and am
>>looking for one of those simple solutions people file away in their
>>"tips and tricks" bags.
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Tom T
>>
>>PS:  The nozzles do not appear to be blocked at this time.  The R1800
>>printer only runs and has run original OEM Epson UltraChrome.
>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>  
>

Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by Tom

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, randy <rlphoto@...> wrote:
>
> I have used windex and high quality paper towels for the same
purpose. I 
> like the sound of this method though.
> 
> Randy Laskody

I'd be afraid the fibers in the paper towel would compound the problem.

Re: [colorvision_group] Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by randy

Really hasn't for me.  The paper towel is really saturated. But I agree 
that the tape probably is a better solution.

Randy Laskody


Tom wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, randy <rlphoto@...> wrote:
>  
>
>>I have used windex and high quality paper towels for the same
>>    
>>
>purpose. I 
>  
>
>>like the sound of this method though.
>>
>>Randy Laskody
>>    
>>
>
>I'd be afraid the fibers in the paper towel would compound the problem.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
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> 
>
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>  
>

Re: [colorvision_group] Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by randy

I just grab both ends after folding it a few times, and shimmy it under 
my 7600 head and swab back and forth a dozen times. Then wrap it around 
the print head and leave it soak for an hour.  I have had my 7600 over 3 
years and have never done a power cleaning. And the printer sits 
sometimes for weeks.

Randy Laskody

randy wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>Really hasn't for me.  The paper towel is really saturated. But I agree 
>that the tape probably is a better solution.
>
>Randy Laskody
>
>
>Tom wrote:
>
>  
>
>>--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, randy <rlphoto@...> wrote:
>> 
>>
>>    
>>
>>>I have used windex and high quality paper towels for the same
>>>   
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>purpose. I 
>> 
>>
>>    
>>
>>>like the sound of this method though.
>>>
>>>Randy Laskody
>>>   
>>>
>>>      
>>>
>>I'd be afraid the fibers in the paper towel would compound the problem.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Yahoo! Groups Links
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>Yahoo! Groups Links
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RE: [colorvision_group] Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by Kris

get rid of the dog.  

<kidding>

With our wide format printers, I take a microfiber cloth (3m makes a great
one), soak it with Windex (the original flavor), and move the head carriage
over it.  Let it sit for a while, move it around over the moist towel,
you'll be amazed at the amount of gunk that comes off the head carriage.

I don't have an R1800, so I can't tell you how to do this, but it can't be
so different.  With the power off, just figure out how to unlatch the
printhead, and be careful when you pull the head assembly over your
windex-soaked cloth.

note: do NOT use paper for this.  Paper is abrasive, and if it contacts the
nozzle plate, there's a chance of scratching or other permanent damage.  The
danger is minor, but it is there.  Like waxing your car with paper towels,
you would never do that, right?

In the end, you should expect that all this gunk-removal might have clogged
at least one nozzle.  Spray the capping station (the place the print head
rests) with windex, wait a few minutes, and then run a CLEAN (don't do a
nozzle check first).  

I hope this helps, standard disclaimer applies.

-kris
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> -----Original Message-----
> From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tom
> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 8:54 AM
> To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [colorvision_group] Ink Splashes - any good tips?
> 
> Ok here's a frustrating problem.  Maybe some of you have 
> found good solutions.
> 
> My printer is printing magenta splashes.  Something may have 
> gotten under the print heads at some point (like a strand of 
> paper or dog hair or something).  The problem is, now that 
> something is on the bottom of the print head, how the heck 
> can I get under there to clean it off?  I'm not really 
> partial to taking my printer apart and am looking for one of 
> those simple solutions people file away in their "tips and 
> tricks" bags.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Tom T
> 
> PS:  The nozzles do not appear to be blocked at this time.  
> The R1800 printer only runs and has run original OEM Epson 
> UltraChrome.  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
>

Re: [colorvision_group] Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by randy

Good point Kris, never thought of that.

Randy

Kris wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
>get rid of the dog.  
>
><kidding>
>
>With our wide format printers, I take a microfiber cloth (3m makes a great
>one), soak it with Windex (the original flavor), and move the head carriage
>over it.  Let it sit for a while, move it around over the moist towel,
>you'll be amazed at the amount of gunk that comes off the head carriage.
>
>I don't have an R1800, so I can't tell you how to do this, but it can't be
>so different.  With the power off, just figure out how to unlatch the
>printhead, and be careful when you pull the head assembly over your
>windex-soaked cloth.
>
>note: do NOT use paper for this.  Paper is abrasive, and if it contacts the
>nozzle plate, there's a chance of scratching or other permanent damage.  The
>danger is minor, but it is there.  Like waxing your car with paper towels,
>you would never do that, right?
>
>In the end, you should expect that all this gunk-removal might have clogged
>at least one nozzle.  Spray the capping station (the place the print head
>rests) with windex, wait a few minutes, and then run a CLEAN (don't do a
>nozzle check first).  
>
>I hope this helps, standard disclaimer applies.
>
>-kris
>
>  
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com 
>>[mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tom
>>Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 8:54 AM
>>To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
>>Subject: [colorvision_group] Ink Splashes - any good tips?
>>
>>Ok here's a frustrating problem.  Maybe some of you have 
>>found good solutions.
>>
>>My printer is printing magenta splashes.  Something may have 
>>gotten under the print heads at some point (like a strand of 
>>paper or dog hair or something).  The problem is, now that 
>>something is on the bottom of the print head, how the heck 
>>can I get under there to clean it off?  I'm not really 
>>partial to taking my printer apart and am looking for one of 
>>those simple solutions people file away in their "tips and 
>>tricks" bags.
>>
>>Thanks
>>
>>Tom T
>>
>>PS:  The nozzles do not appear to be blocked at this time.  
>>The R1800 printer only runs and has run original OEM Epson 
>>UltraChrome.  
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 
>>Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>> 
>>
>>
>>
>>    
>>
>
>
>
>
> 
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
>
>
>  
>

RE: [colorvision_group] Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by Kris

Randy, be careful about using paper towels.  two problems, one is they might
leave more fibres on the printhead than you've removed as gunk.  Lastly,
paper is an abrasive media.  Potentially, it could scratch the nozzle plate
(the physical part that is closest to the paper) of the print head.

A cheap way is to use a baby-wipe.  They are lint-free rags, and work great.

-kris
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> -----Original Message-----
> From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of randy
> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 9:42 AM
> To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [colorvision_group] Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?
> 
> I have used windex and high quality paper towels for the same 
> purpose. I like the sound of this method though.
> 
> Randy Laskody
> 
> Johnny Eades wrote:
> 
> >
> >Tom,
> >
> >Here is the solution that I use for the same conditions. 
> Send the print 
> >head to the position you normally use for removing your carts.
> >Cut a piece of bias tape (can be found in different widths, 
> but get the 
> >size that will fit the track under the line of print head travel and 
> >saturate it with 1:10 household ammonia)  and move the head over it 
> >several times. You do need to wear rubber gloves to avoid 
> ink coverage 
> >of your hands. This is the method Paul Roark uses. He is the guru on 
> >the Yahoo newsgroup DigitalBlackAndWhiteThePrint.
> >
> >Your friend in Photography,
> >
> >Johnny
> >

RE: [colorvision_group] Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-15 by Kris

Tom, exactly right.  I just posted a reply, if you don't want to buy
something really expensive like 3m microfiber or KimWipes (cheap but you
have to use about 30 of them to build a printhead depth)....

Buy a box of baby wipes.

-kris
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> -----Original Message-----
> From: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tom
> Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 9:45 AM
> To: colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [colorvision_group] Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?
> 
> --- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, randy <rlphoto@...> wrote:
> >
> > I have used windex and high quality paper towels for the same
> purpose. I 
> > like the sound of this method though.
> > 
> > Randy Laskody
> 
> I'd be afraid the fibers in the paper towel would compound 
> the problem.
>

Re: Ink Splashes - any good tips?

2006-03-16 by Tom

--- In colorvision_group@yahoogroups.com, "Kris" <km-yahoo@...> wrote:
>
> Tom, exactly right.  I just posted a reply, if you don't want to buy
> something really expensive like 3m microfiber or KimWipes (cheap but you
> have to use about 30 of them to build a printhead depth)....
> 
> Buy a box of baby wipes.
> 

I found they were selling Dust Off brand "monitor wipes" at our local
MicroCenter store.  They are 6" x 8" lint free non-abrasive wipes
soaked in what smells sort of like isopropal and a touch of amonia. 
Anyhow folded over into a strip they did a fantastic job.

Thanks for the tips!

Tom

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