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General discussion

Cleaning print heads

Jun 1, 2006 12:52PM PDT

I need to clean print heads of Epson Stylus color 1520. It sat up for several years. I cleaned them on a Photo 700 by refilling empty cartridge w/cleaning solution, and running the cleaning utility. Did not work with the 1520.

I am thinking of filling an empty cartridge w/LPS penetrating oil, and then running the cleaning cycle.

I used LPS to clean the smallest Rapidigraph technical pens. This was after soaking them in cleaning solution w/no improvement. LPS is very friendly to rubber, etc.

Anybody have a comment about this.

Discussion is locked

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Whooaa
Jun 1, 2006 9:42PM PDT

I won't ever use any type of penetrating oil or similar to clean heads. Its actually better to use plain water or non-acidic cleaner. Direct cleaning on the surface of a prthd. I've use Windex. I had success allowing the prthd. to sit overnight or longer using a soaked swatch of clean shop cloth or paper towel and then place at the parking station. The swatch is between the prthd. and cap. I suggest once thi si s done, then use a "special" cleaning fluid brought from some ink refill orderhouse and use that. The problem of Epson "blocked" ink path is well known and usually if not resolved, pitch the ptr. as cost for replacement is too much. You can try your method as last resort, but not as first try. Repeated printing attempts may fry(break) the prthd. so be sure you got a running chance before testing. Several yrs. is a loooonnnnggg time.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Why Not?
Jun 2, 2006 12:55AM PDT

Hi

You wrote

>I won't ever use any type of penetrating oil or similar to clean heads

Why not?

Have you tried this method before w/disasterous results?

Can you site literature explaining negative results of doing so?

As I already explained, I have already used a "special" cleaning fluid brought from some ink refill orderhouse.

I am not using any old penetrating oil, but LPS which is non corosive, and won't damage rubber. It costs about $10 a can. I will fill the cartridge w/the LPS, and then run the cleaning cycle.

Please explain what the negative results would be.

Actually, I am considering gettting an old Epson from Goodwill, and experimenting on it.

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Your choice
Jun 2, 2006 9:51AM PDT

Epson uses inks that are formulated for thier tasks, whether they be for photo or plain text. Placing any type of oil or similar will not easily be removed if the ink is water based. LPS promotes protection against water damage(rust) and will not disappate as readily as water or any other cleaning fluids not oil based. In other words you cause problem(s) besides any you may have now. This maybe been good for older printers and previous dot matrix and such but not for "inkjets" even if successful for early models. This is when used in the "ink pathways", not the surface(prthd. face)I did day, use it as a last resort if all else fails, it basically that's it, what can you lose at that point. If you used proper cleaning fluids already and haven't any success, well the choice is yours. Use the proper cleaning fluid and let it sit for a week if need be, if no success then pitch it. One reason, I don't recommend Epson inkjets, they use "non-removable" prthds. If you had a HP, you use a new ink cart with new inkjets and usually the problem goes away. Play away in your experiments, wish you luck.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Second Thought
Jun 2, 2006 11:50AM PDT

I began to think along the lines you last explained, that the oil might intefere w/the ink.As you pointed out, oil and water don't mix. That thought entered my mind about 10 seconds after I sent "why not" out.

I could give it a last flush w/alcohol after the LPS.

Would alcohol have a bad effect on the heads if it just ran thru?

I was also thinking that the LPS would have a negative effect on the sponge material below the heads when they are in the parked position.

I would be very reluctant to buy an epson. This the second one that has come my way. The other one was a Photo 700. I was very high maintenance. It would just go nuts if it ran out of paper before ending a print job. I would have to disconnect it for a day, before using it again.

I use a now use an HP Lazerjet 1100 for most of my printing. I bought it used for $49. It had a used toner cartridge in it. I would have used way over $200 of Epson black ink to do the printing that the HP has done on a used toner.

The Epson 1520 is a wide format printer. It would cost $600 to replace it w/a throwaway, or $1900 & up to replace it with heavy duty one, so I feel that it is worthwhile to get it up and running.

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Yes and No
Jun 3, 2006 1:59AM PDT

Google using the keywords, "inkjet cleaners" and most usually offer don't clean with alcohol. However, I do use 91% alchohol and 100% when I have it for basic cleaning. Again, the pathways becoming fulll of alcohol that may cause ill effect but several clean cycles will resolve that. Since, you already know the cost of inks, clean cycles really can be expensive even if using refills. I've rebuild many an Epson but using new parts and thier cleaning fluid. However, all too often beforehand, I had rare success if the user tried nay cleaning attempts,(I see the mess) and basically alot of work goes down the drain and only a new replacement prthd. will do and that costs. But, it maybe worth it for the 1520 when compared to new if you're willing to try that, replace a prthd.. Contact thier parts dept. if available or any other parts sources but buy "new".

tada -----Willy Happy