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Technical Help & Discussion => Self Building, Upgrading & General Hardware Help => Topic started by: JK on May 12, 2007, 19:55

Title: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: JK on May 12, 2007, 19:55

Hi
I have an Epson stylus photo 870, which I have not used for a long time. Now I find that the print head must have old dryed ink in it , as it fails to print one of the colours correctly, despite installing a new cartridge and using the Epson head cleaning process.
Due you know how I can clean the print head, I have seen head cleaning kits for sale, are they any good?
Or does anyone know a simpiler way. Your comments are welcome.
Kind regards.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: JK on May 12, 2007, 22:33

6 views but no replies?

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Clive on May 12, 2007, 23:20

If there is no error message on the screen then you must consider the possibilty that the cartridge is faulty.  I've had numerous faulty cartridges over the years!  If you bought it from a  store then take it back with your receipt and demand a replacement or refund.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: JK on May 12, 2007, 23:23

Thank you. But my message said it's a head not cartridge problem.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: JK on May 12, 2007, 23:24

My head is gummed up with old ink.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Clive on May 12, 2007, 23:27

Then I would try and clean it using a cotton bud soaked in ethanol which can be bought as surgical spirit or methylated spirit.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Sandra on May 13, 2007, 11:49

Afraid I havent had much to do with inkjet printers as I only use and old laser printer that just keeps going.
So I cant offer you any advise unfortunately.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: sam on May 13, 2007, 12:49

put of interest are they actual epson catridges? or are they the immitation kind.. I have found on occasion that they can be crap, I use the immitation kind but sometimes you get a bad batch.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: JK on May 14, 2007, 12:01

SAM it's a refilled Epson cartridge from cartridge world, but it was playing up the last time I used it with a proper Epson one.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: JK on May 14, 2007, 12:16

I have come accross this site http://www.powerklin.co.uk/ . Would you consider it worthwhile trying the product? Have any PC pal members used anything like this.
Kind regards.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Clive on May 14, 2007, 13:23

My guess is that powerklin is surgical spirit (ethanol).  The reason?  Because ethanol is the solvent in which the dyes used in the ink are dissolved.  £10.80 is a lot to pay for 10 ml of something that can be bought at a pharmacy for almost nothing.  Ethanol cannot harm copper or plastic.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: sam on May 14, 2007, 14:17

I agree with clive.. it probably is ethanol, maybe with some other agent - if you are careful you will not have a problem with giving surgical spirit a go first (but dont drink it! :D)

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Simon on May 14, 2007, 19:49

Quote from: sam on May 14, 2007, 14:17

(but dont drink it! :D)

... or you might end up looking like this...!  (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=79;type=avatar)  ;D

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: sam on May 14, 2007, 21:15

hehe! I wondered how long it would be before someone commented on my new emo look... alas it only lasted about an hour... then it all got a bit sticky and sweaty... (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm1.static.flickr.com%2F196%2F496501550_86036a5280.jpg&hash=9e8da0f490ea377b01d79913a4d421640119457f)

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Simon on May 14, 2007, 21:54

Hey, Meat!  Do Bat Out Of Hell!!  :lol:

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Clive on May 14, 2007, 21:59

Quote from: sam on May 14, 2007, 21:15

... then it all got a bit sticky and sweaty... (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm1.static.flickr.com%2F196%2F496501550_86036a5280.jpg&hash=9e8da0f490ea377b01d79913a4d421640119457f)

Poor Liz has a lot to put up with!   :lol:

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: sam on May 14, 2007, 22:24

and it was her birthday party... oh well :-D

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Sandra on May 15, 2007, 01:00

Whats a vegetarian like you doing eating uncooked, live human ears Sam  ;)

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: JK on May 15, 2007, 12:40

Hi
Thanks for the advice, but I will still need some kind of applicator tube and injector to clean the head.
Thanks

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Clive on May 15, 2007, 13:59

Could you not adapt an empty kitchen spray bottle?  Make sure it's clean by washing it out with water and then a little surgical spirit.  Let it dry thoroughly and then part fill with surgical spirit.  Spray onto the head.  Remember surgical spirit is flammable so do not use it near naked flames.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: JK on May 17, 2007, 20:00

Thanks for all the advice. Tried cleaning the heads but still faulty. Went into a Netto store and bought a top of the range Canon printer for less than then the cost of the Epson cartridge replacements.
Advice for all, don't leave an inkjet printer unused for long periods.
Clive, good job it was not near the neck otherwise we would have the vampyre theme, yes you are a young meatloaf.
Kind regards.

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: Clive on May 17, 2007, 23:16

Probably the most sensible decision you have made today JK.   :D  It always amazes me how they manage to sell a whole printer for less money than the cost of a cartridge.   >:(  At least you didn't have to waste £10 on a propietary cleaning kit as well!   :thumb:

Title: Re: Printer print head cleaning.
Post by: sam on May 18, 2007, 12:19

well they make their money on inks...