Cleaning solution: the ultimate test

[Paul W.]

@pharmacist :

Sorry, but I can't do the math... not sure how many ml of Windex for 100 ml of the finished solution. For one thing, i don't know the % of alcohol is in Windex.

However... your original formula, without the ammonia: would that work with an Epson? The original formula seems like it's for Canon printers. Besides, some Epsons have copper in the head and some people say the ammonia will attack the copper - then I'm in real trouble.

Thank you!

Paul

 

[pharmacist]

No, it will work without problems both for the Epson as wel Canon. I use it all the time. My oldest printer was the Epson 1400 using this formula. The newer printers should be fine.

 

[Paul W.]

That's good news, @pharmacist, thanks.

What's your opinion on ammonia in a cleaner? I notice your formula doesn't use any... nor does it contain Windex - which contains some ammonia. (I'm not criticizing your formula... I see many compliments on it here!) I hear ammonia attacks copper in the heads of some printers. I have a 1400 now myself... does it contain copper, as far as you know?

Thanks for your help... oh, one more thing. What would you say to adding a few drops of black ink (Eboni, in my case) to make nozzle checks visible?

Regards,

Paul

 

[pharmacist]

I suggest to use some dark dye ink to make the ink more visible (like cyan or black). It is safer, because diluted carbon can precipitate when strongly diluted in a impropriate medium, not suited to suspend the pigment particles properly.

You might try to omit the ammonia and try if this works well, if you are afraid using it. I never had any problems in my Epson 1400 and 1500W (=1430) printers.

 

[Paul W.]

(Good grief, it must be after 1 am over there!)

@pharmacist: Good catch on the colorant... I never would have thought of the precipitation issue. As for a colorant, the only dye I have is red, but I think it'll show up. Thank you!

But... I'm a little confused. I can't omit the ammonia from your formula - it doesn't have any, right? I plan to use it for a set of cleaning cartridges and perhaps also underhead cleaning (the "shoeshine" technique), capping station and wiper blade. I like the simplicity of your formula.

Wish me luck... I really like the 1400/1430 printers. Am using Paul Roark's inkset with some success (when it's not clogged!) What's been your experience with clogging on your 1400?

Regards,

Paul

 

[pharmacist]

The reason to add ammonia is to remove stubborn clogs. Ammonia works as a dissolver for tenacious precipitations. However you might try to use the formula without ammonia and try this. With minor clogs the isopropylalcohol also helps to dissolve some (minor) precipitations sufficiently. You could start with the formula without ammonia. If this doesn't work, add the ammonia to the formula.

I never had problems using ammonia in my formula for both Epson and Canon printers.

 

[Paul W.]

OK, good advice... I'll start with your formula, without ammonia. But if I decide to add ammonia, what would its percentage be? And I don't have any full strength ammonia on hand, I'd be using Windex. I have a good supply of all the other ingredients, isopropyl alchohol, propylene glycol, distilled water.

Thank you, as always,

Paul

 

[pharmacist]

If you have any diluted ammonia (for example 10 %) add 2-3 ml. Don't use (caustic) soda: it does clean, but as these products are solids, they would certainly harm your print head. Ammonia is a gas, that evaporates away from the solution, when it is completely dry, leaving nog solid traces at all.

 

[Paul W.]

If you have any diluted ammonia (for example 10 %) add 2-3 ml.

@pharmacist: Sorry, I don't have ammonia with that percentage. All I have is the Original Windex which has some alcohol Edit (Ammonia) but at unknown percentage.

 

[pharmacist]

HI Paul, without the proper ammonia: you might give your windex a try. A drop of it on a a glass shoud completely evaporate away without the slightest trace. If you see any circle left on the glass or a stain: DON't use it for using inside the print head (only to soak the exterior using a piece of paper towel). I do not know the exact percentage of ammonia in Windex, because here in Europe we can't get it.