clean the print head of mx860

[BostonFern]

Yes, I found out my printer doesn't accept black in the place for cyan.

I refilled a generic cyan cartridge with black ink. (I know it's better to refill an OEM cartridge, but I want to save my only OEM cyan cartridge for cyan later) The cartridge flashes when it's inserted, and I suppose this means the ink level is low. I've tried several times to increase the ink level by adding more ink. Now my fingers are covered with ink, and the ink level is still low according to my printer. What's a good way to tell whether the ink is enough when refilling?

And how do I get rid of these inks on most of my fingers? I washed them with old water and soap, but they won't come out.

 

[The Hat]

Yes, I found out my printer doesn't accept black in the place for cyan.

I refilled a generic cyan cartridge with black ink. (I know it's better to refill an OEM cartridge, but I want to save my only OEM cyan cartridge for cyan later) Now my printer is complaining my cyan has run out.

I'm scratching my head again. Please help.

It probably doesnt like the chip on your compatible cartridge or the chip itself is not resettable,
just remove it and replace it with a black OEM chip instead..

 

[BostonFern]

Thank you for your answer. Before you answered, I modified my question because I tried a different generic cartridge. So I will repeat my question here.

This time I can print, although it complains the ink level is low because the light flashed when the cartridge is inserted. I tried to increase the ink level by adding more ink, and the ink level is still low. What's the best way to tell when there is enough refill when one refills? The generic cartridge is opaque (the chamber outside of ink port) and is supposed to be easier to tell.

Now I know I should never work in lab, as my fingers are covered with black ink. What's the best way to get rid of these ink beside soap and water?

BTW, I found there is already a small hole on top of these generic cartridges. I just enlarge them a bit to insert the needle.

 

[The Hat]

Thank you for your answer. Before you answered, I modified my question because I tried a different generic cartridge. So I will repeat my question here.

This time I can print, although it complains the ink level is low because the light flashed when the cartridge is inserted. I tried to increase the ink level by adding more ink, and the ink level is still low. What's the best way to tell when there is enough refill when one refills? The generic cartridge is opaque (the chamber outside of ink port) and is supposed to be easier to tell.

I am afraid I cannot tell you the best way how refill an opaque cartridges correctly (I Try to avoid using them).

But you can use an wooden tooth pick to insert into the refill hole as a dip stick
(Like in a Car) to ascertain your ink level, the chip may also need resetting?.

Now I know I should never work in lab, as my fingers are covered with black ink. What's the best way to get rid of these ink beside soap and water?

One is to help with washing up the dishes, two use several applications of a standard hand cream and wash it off later,
and the other is to avoid it altogether by using latex gloves.. (that's a bit late now)

BTW, I found there is already a small hole on top of these generic cartridges. I just enlarge them a bit to insert the needle.

I reckon you would be better off using OEM cartridges than risk using a compatible refilled cartridge, but thats just me..

 

[Tudor]

@BostonFern:
The chip must be reset if you want it to show full level again.
I think you are refilling that generic cartridge through the breathe hole; that means that only the sponge gets ink and you will have no ink in the ink chamber. That's not good!
To see how your catridges look on the inside open this: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=40438#p40438

Top filling method: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6264
German "Durchstich" refill method: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4315
Freedom refill method: http://www.nifty-stuff.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6750

You can easily remove all the ink on your fingers with a pumice stone.

 

[BostonFern]

I don't have pumice stone. Alcohol swab got most of the ink out of my fingers. Eye make-up remover got almost all the remaining ink out.

The tiny hole I used for refill was on top of ink chamber, not the sponge chamber. I sealed it with play dough, and can see ink in the ink chamber. Nozzle check shows it works so far, although you make me wonder whether I should make another tiny breath hole.

 

[The Hat]

If you put any unnecessary holes in the cartridge, it will leak out all over the place..