BEST METHODS OF USING isopropyl alcohol on sponge type CARTS(lexmark)

[InkDoodle]

Just wondering who has a good method of unclogging lexmark (lex 70's and lex 16/17's) type sponge filled clogged carts.

I've been struggling with unclogging the goo stuck at the bottom of a lexmark 70. (getting streaks)

The way I was successful on removing the shoe glue look alike type of goo was to actually cut the film/screen at the bottom of a lexmark 70 and flush it out with just normal water.

Prior to this (before cutting the screen) I used boiling distilled water and evacuated it (performed 7 times with the sponge removed). Inserted rubbing alcohol in the empty cart to let sit on top of the screen so it can drip through the screen and out of the nozzles. ALL DIDN'T WORK.

I had to remove the screen and then use a q-tip to remove it. The ink was so dried it looked like TAR.

Curious to see if Isopropyl alcohol will really work and what would be the best method if I do keep the sponge in the cart as having to remove the lexmark 70 top is very hard.

Hope someone has a successsful method of using isopropyl alcohol on sponge type lexmark carts.


Thanks, InkDoodle

 

[InkDoodle]

Sorry all, I forgot to mention that after removing the screen I looked for suppliers to provide me with the film/screen and the minimum quantity that you must order is 1000 screens at roughly .95cents a piece. This is a little out of my budget as I'm only remaning about 14-20 lexmark 70 carts a month.

If anyone else knows of a good supplier for these screens and sponges for the lexmark 70, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, ID

 

[Craig Ross]

Inkdoodle
You say removing the top is hard,My supplier Ausjet sells me replacement tops that have a
snap on arrangement rather than having to re-glue,much easier.
I did a test on a lexmark 17 that has been sitting around for a while it had black tar like ink that oosed
out the top I soaked it in isopropyl for about 10 mins it dissolved about 90% of it but still left a film of
tar ,steaming it then removed it completley. So I would say a combination of alcohol and a more
aggressive mechanical clean like direct injection steaming or ultrasonic clean and or vacuum flushing may work.

 

[InkDoodle]

Craig,

Thanks for the reply...

Actually its not the tops that i'm concerned about its more of trying to get a clean cut or removing the top off of the lexmark 70 easy enough.

I tried prying it off but it doesn't work and now there is so much maroon pieces on the cart i can't even put on my replacement cap.

Thanks craig for the reply for the iso-alch...i picked up a bottle today for 12.99cad and i'm using it on my HP57.

I'll try using the iso on one of my lexmark 17's that had some streaks...will let you know the details.


InkDoodle

 

[InkDoodle]

Craig,

How did you see the tar like substance? Did you take apart the lexmark 17? Did you remove the sponge?

thx, Ron/InkDoodle

 

[Craig Ross]

Ron
Sorry I've been calling you Rob. I don,t have any problems removing the top,my method
is to lay the cart on it,s side and with a razor knife gently wedge it on one corner until you hear a crack
do all four corners then gently slide the razor from corner to corner.
the lex cart I had with tar was a cart that had been siting around for about 12 months
when I noticed it was oozing through the top vent hole probably from over filling
but it had turned to tar so I thought it would be a good test for alcohol

 

[Nifty]

Yup, that method worked best for me when I did Lexmark carts. I used a sharp pocket knife and broke the glue / seal around all four sides and then it came off pretty easy. At one point I bought one of those cheap screw top removers... what a joke that was.

 

[hinook]

Hello,

I've got the same problem than InkDoodle.
I know how to :
dismount the top
remove the sponge
remove the screens
clean the heap

my problem is the next steps ...
do I have to replace the screen ?
what ink do you putin the cart ?

Often mine won't stop printing streaks !

 

[nebulot]

Hi, I have a lexmark 7100 uses 32 and 34 carts. The printer has been in storage for over a year and when I opened it I noticed carts still in it. I purchased a blk 32 cart and it didn't work. Coming out light black, blurred and missing print. I tried alcohol on the cart and feed openings with no luck. Can someone help me? is there something I can use to clean it. ps. this machine is no longer available through lexmark. Thanks so much!

 

[llama_91]

i'm not sure what kind of equipment you have, but this works very well.

Fill cartridge.
Soak the nozzles in boiling water inside an ultrasonic cleaner (jewellery cleaner).
spin out all of the ink using a centrifuge, if you don't have a centrifuge, hold a wadded up tissue on the nozzles and make a throwing action with your arm (but don't let go ofcourse) then sit the cartridge down on a pile of tissues until it is empty. Or prime the printhead. Never evacuate from the sponge if you are trying to unblock it. Hope this helps!