Cleaning solution application/methods for Canon Print heads?

[3dogs]

Good point... My viewpoint has been focused on clogging issues rather than component failure. Time to address that..



I hadn't heard of that but given the way that printer designs have changed over the last few years the point about changes in printhead design/specification/materials would make sense.


I guess the problem side is finding one that has the space underneath to look at the nozzles without hitting the scope stand, etc...

Just cut it off!

 

[websnail]

P.S. I wonder if this post would be better off in the Rant Thread ?

I'd actually say yes...

I agree with your points about causes of "clogs" and the misinterpretation of flow issues, air ingestion, etc... as being such a problem.

BUT, this thread is actually about cleaning techniques for genuine clogs, so oh great an wise moderator... You're going off topic!...

 

[websnail]

Just cut it off!

LOL.. elegant in its simplicity...

Anyone else cross their legs unconsciously though?!

 

[Roy Sletcher]

I'd actually say yes...

I agree with your points about causes of "clogs" and the misinterpretation of flow issues, air ingestion, etc... as being such a problem.

BUT, this thread is actually about cleaning techniques for genuine clogs, so oh great an wise moderator... You're going off topic!...

This thread is neither a rant nor off-topic.

The print head is the heart of any inkjet printer, and a thread discussing print head maintenance must fall within the definition of Printer-Knowledge. (Simple point of logic)

I say let the thread stand. The subject matter is relevant, and dispenses useful information and discussion points for most readers.

RS

 

[martin0reg]

Two more techniques which I tried recently:
1 Take out the cart. put it upside down and drip the solution on the cart's outlet, so that this area of the sponge becomes white from the cleaning fluid. Then put it back in the printhead an do the cleaning cycle with the fluid in the channel. Advantage: no need to take out the head.
2 Take out the printhead and position it upside down. Then drip the solution very slow onto the nozzle plate and let it sink into the nozzle rows. Be carful do hold the head with the nozzle plate exactly horizontal so that the puddle doesn't flow over the edges.

But regarding canon printheads in general I have to say that the majority of my "clogged" head I could not get clean - certainly because too much nozzles were already burnt.
"Patience" may be important... but a printhead which did not print a clean nozzle check after 1-2 days of soaking - did not do it even after a week...

If you want to identify already burnt nozzles: some heavy defects may be visible with a simple loupe.
For magnifying I use a scanner, CCD type - others can only focus on a flat sheet - here is a good and a bad one:


Or a optician loupe (20x)

I just tried to shoot what you will see:


This way you may identify heads which can not be cleaned and therefore are not worth any more efforts.
But it's the nozzle check what counts... I just had to throw away a qy6-0049, whch wasn't looking that bad under my loupe...

 

[The Hat]

I'd actually say yes...
this thread is actually about cleaning techniques, so oh great an wise moderator... You're going off topic!...

@websnail is being a smarty pants and want to score some brownie points.

This thread is neither a rant nor off-topic.
I say let the thread stand.

Ata boy @Roy Sletcher you know which side the bread is buttered on..

 

[websnail]

Smarty pants or no, my point about the on/off-topicness was more that I actually believe a separate thread/article on preventative maintenance practice would be more useful than potentially taking this off at a tangent. I'd meant for this to be more the reactive, "we have a clog, how do you deal with it" side that's all.

Also something to consider regarding @martin0reg 's suggestion with dropping the cleaning solution into a cartridge that contains and may continue as an ink cartridge. Worth double checking that the solution won't cause flocculation (pigment dropping out of solution) or some other reaction that would be counter productive. It's a mistake I've made in the past so thought I'd mention it.

 

[fotofreek]

@The Hat's post brings back the requirement for occasionally purging carts after either a large number of refills or a refilled cart sitting unused too long. A simple test for ink flow lets you know when to purge. Take off the outlet cover, remove the seal from the fill hole, and see how well the cart drips. GENTLY blowing in the air vent should also easily produce some dripping. Sluggish or no dripping? purge!

 

[Photographic Memory]

Two more techniques which I tried recently:
1 Take out the cart. put it upside down and drip the solution on the cart's outlet, so that this area of the sponge becomes white from the cleaning fluid. Then put it back in the printhead an do the cleaning cycle with the fluid in the channel. Advantage: no need to take out the head.
2 Take out the printhead and position it upside down. Then drip the solution very slow onto the nozzle plate and let it sink into the nozzle rows. Be carful do hold the head with the nozzle plate exactly horizontal so that the puddle doesn't flow over the edges.

But regarding canon printheads in general I have to say that the majority of my "clogged" head I could not get clean - certainly because too much nozzles were already burnt.
"Patience" may be important... but a printhead which did not print a clean nozzle check after 1-2 days of soaking - did not do it even after a week...

If you want to identify already burnt nozzles: some heavy defects may be visible with a simple loupe.
For magnifying I use a scanner, CCD type - others can only focus on a flat sheet - here is a good and a bad one:
View attachment 3117 View attachment 3118

Or a optician loupe (20x)
View attachment 3119
I just tried to shoot what you will see:
View attachment 3120 View attachment 3121

This way you may identify heads which can not be cleaned and therefore are not worth any more efforts.
But it's the nozzle check what counts... I just had to throw away a qy6-0049, whch wasn't looking that bad under my loupe...

So maybe all this obsession with cleaning/unclogging Print Heads
should be put on the back burner (pun?) and we should launch a new craze, how to preserve the Nozzles? I am certainly interested in any advice that is recommended in order to get the most life out of these printers (heads).
Is this a given for all Canon "desktop" printers? Is this why they are often on sale for $59/$99? Is it just a bait n switch, we'll practically give away this printer because it's the Ink that generates profits?

So far I have gained such knowledge (advice) as:

- Print often (in order to not let ink dry and clog)
- Make sure you don't refill when the cart is empty, refill when low
- Continuing to print when any ink is not showing on a nozzle check is the most surefire way to burn out your nozzles

Anything else?

If SOME nozzles are burnt out does it necessarily affect print quality, or is it barely noticeable?

Intriguing. So it wasn't Mr. Clog after all…

 

[stratman]

- Print often (in order to not let ink dry and clog)

The forum advice is print once a week or so that uses all cartridges. A nozzle check is considered sufficient.

If SOME nozzles are burnt out does it necessarily affect print quality, or is it barely noticeable?

It all depends what you are printing. Sometimes no. Sometimes yes. You will know when it happens.

Even if you do everything right in maximizing the health of your printer it will give out one day, hopefully 5+ years from now. My Canon MP830 is ~10 years old. I am on my 3rd print head. (knock on wood)