Cleaning solution: the ultimate test

stratman

Printer VIP
Platinum Printer Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2007
Messages
8,712
Reaction score
7,163
Points
393
Location
USA
Printer Model
Canon MB5120, Pencil

Nigel Harris

Fan of Printing
Joined
Jan 20, 2019
Messages
35
Reaction score
32
Points
60
Location
Manchester UK
Printer Model
Epson 3800
Hello all, new member and apologies in advance for resurrecting an old thread: I have found the advice and content extremely useful, still highly relevant and I have a related question which I hope someone more knowledgeable than I can answer:

I have an “old” Epson 3800 which has seen infrequent use, and has now got a clogged magenta nozzle. Ignorant of this thread, I purchased a pre-mixed solution called “magic bullet” which slightly improved things. I have since ordered the ingredients so that i can prepare my own solution and procure a set of cartridges so I can flush through from beginning to end.

My question is: is there something I could sensibly add to the pharmacists solution so that I could see the result of a nozzle test? Am aware of the piezo solution sold in the states which does just this, but am UK based and wondered if there was a recommended ingredient that I could buy which would serve the same purpose.

I would really like to get my printer back up and running again, it’s only ever had OEM cartridges, but has not seen the regular use required to prevent the clogging.

Many thanks
Nige
 

The Hat

Printer VIP
Platinum Printer Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2010
Messages
15,618
Reaction score
8,691
Points
453
Location
Residing in Wicklow Ireland
Printer Model
Canon/3D, CR-10, CR-10S, KP-3
Hi Nigel and welcome, it is perfectly safe to add 2% of ammonia to Pharmacists solution when flushing your system out, but it’s not recommended for long term soaking, because you don’t want to leave the ammonia solution in contact with any metal for long periods.

When using pharmacist’s solution in your carts for printing you can add a couple of drops of dye ink into the mix, pigment will work if you don’t have any dye ink, the Magenta or Cyan colour is best to use just for colourant..

You may have to remove the dampers from the print head if your soaking is not successful..
 

Nifty

Printer VIP
Administrator
Joined
Nov 3, 2004
Messages
3,046
Reaction score
1,405
Points
337
Location
Bay Area CA
Printer Model
CR-10, i560 ,MFC-7440N
Many forum members have enjoyed my formula to condition the sponge of Canon cartridges.

The formula is as follows:

-3 ml propylene glycol (or 2 % glycerol)
-20 ml isopropylalcohol
-distilled water up to 100 ml

The cleaning solution to free up clogged printheads is by adding 20-25 drops of concentrated ammonia to each 100 ml of cleaning solution.

Today I suffered from a tenacious clog in my Epson Pro 3800 in the magenta and cyan channel, caused probably by long term of non-usage and the very low humidity in my room because of the high heating since it is now freezing in Belgium. Even after 3 cleaning cycles the clog did not go away. In the past one cleaning cycle is enough to clean minor clogs. So today I folded a piece of towel paper into a nice thick and even strip and drenched it with my cleaning solution and put it under my printhead and let it soak for about 1 hour. After that I executed one cleaning cycle and...all the clogs are gone. Whow it works fantastic and the formula is very cheap to make.
This is a bit of an older thread, but it has TONS of great info, so we're adding it to be featured on the homepage!
 

The Hat

Printer VIP
Platinum Printer Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2010
Messages
15,618
Reaction score
8,691
Points
453
Location
Residing in Wicklow Ireland
Printer Model
Canon/3D, CR-10, CR-10S, KP-3

racing_green

Fan of Printing
Joined
Jun 27, 2017
Messages
78
Reaction score
70
Points
68
Printer Model
Epson R2000
I just mixed 500 ml of the famous pharmacist's cleaner. Now important question: is there an official sticker label template with name, copyright & ingredients? ;-)
 

racing_green

Fan of Printing
Joined
Jun 27, 2017
Messages
78
Reaction score
70
Points
68
Printer Model
Epson R2000
Yup, you have to pay me royalties for the recipe :;););)
If it cleans the print head as expected I'll be ready to send you a good quality bottle of local solvent :)

I did some serious cleaning yesterday (sponges, rest pad, printing with solvent instead of ink with driver set to use maximum amount of "ink") Then I left it over night with rest pad topped up with solvent. I'll be doing tests soon to check if that helped - please keep your fingers crossed!
 
Top