How to store a print head?

[OM2]

I can't remember if I've asked before or read on other posts...
But... can someone tell me how to store a print head?

You should NOT touch the bottom part of the print head - or so I understand
How do you store away then?

ALSO, how about the top part - the nozzles where the cartridges sit??
How do you stop them from drying out?

Any replies would be great

Thanks


Omar

 

[turbguy]

The clip that covers the nozzles used for shipping is the best way to protect the nozzles.

There is some preservative fluid in the head when new, but I suspect the best way is to clean the nozzles and passageways for storage is with distilled water and dry it complelty (including internal passages) with a dry air blow-out prior to storage. Then place it in a plastic bag with desecant.

Anyone else??

Wayne

 

[OM2]

ok - that's a big help

but what if u don't have the clip?
what can be done
ALSO: i've had a look at the clip and as far as i can see, the clip DOES touch the sensitive part u r not supposed to touch?
or am i wrong about this?

distil water? how? put the whole thing in distill water? how long?
does it matter if the circuits get wet?

how do u do a dry blow out?

thanks


omar

 

[pharmacist]

One thing: the printhead must be at all times be moisturized with same liquid. This is how new print heads are kept in their original packages. Canon uses a special liquid to preserve the print head. Now using water only is not a good idea. The reason is that germs can grow after a while.

The best way is to have a set empty cartridges ready (can be cheap refillables) and fill them with the following solution:

-20% isopropanol
-20% propylene glycol
-distilled water up to 100 %

Put the printhead and the cartridges filled with this clear preservation solution into your printer and execute a deep cleaning. Remove the print head from the printer after this cleaning cycle and put it into a zip lock bag and suck out the air. The propylene glycol works as a humectant and prevents the print head from drying out and also prevents the grow of microbes and fungi. After a long time the isopropanol will evaporate, but the preservative action is still there, as the propylene glycol does not evaporate and will ensure that nasty bugs will not have the chance to grow.

 

[OM2]

that's awesome advice

but can u also advise what i should do if i don't have the orange clip?

AD, those ingredients don't soind like thing i can pick up at the supermarket?
where can i buy? are they highly toxic?

 

[pharmacist]

I would try your local pharmacy to purchase these products. Propylene glycol is actually potable, but isopropanol not (but not highly toxic).

 

[Redbrickman]

IPA is not readily available in UK chemists, but some sell in the Feepay auction

 

[OM2]

IPA is not readily available in UK chemists, but some sell in the Feepay auction

surely there must be an alternative?
i'm sure i can get hold of from the states - but i can't believe that there wouldn't be an alternative in the uk?

 

[stratman]

IPA is not readily available in UK chemists

Why?

 

[Big_Al]

So, are you guys saying that a backup print head that I cleaned, dryed, and put in a smaill box two months ago, is now damaged?
Al