Cameronian
3rd Apr 2013, 09:53
I have tried my Epson printhead unblocking technique on another Epson printer. Diluted iso-propanol is the key but it's not so often used as an ingredient these days, apparently.
In another thread I mentioned that Poundland's spray bathroom cleaner (being, apparently, one of very few current products still containing iso-propanol) does the business.
This time I tried a simplified technique, leaving out the Epson head-cleaning and nozzle-testing cycle completely because it uses up so much ink.
I turned on the printer and then pulled the power plug out once the printing head had moved away from its "park" position. This allows the head to be moved off to one side by hand to allow good access to the foam inkpad into which the head parks. Using kitchen paper folded up into a thick wad I pressed down gently into the inkpad a few times to remove the bulk of the ink in it and then dripped about a dozen drips of the Poundland bathroom cleaner into the foam from a little bottle with a nozzle (I had used the cleaner's spray when I cleaned the last printer head but it tends to be hard to aim and goes everywhere).
Then I plugged the printer back in and switched it on and off again so the print head parked into the Poundland soup in the inkpad and left it - actually I forgot all about it for a couple of days. With no further ado and with no waste of ink from the Epson head-cleaning and testing cycle - it worked perfectly first time!
I have since discovered that it unblocks ballpoint pens too. Just sit them point down into the very shallowest amount in a jar for a couple of days..... Magic! Let's just hope that the Poundland people don't change their recipe.
I know that there are special liquids available but this stuff is much cheaper and available near you - and cleans bathrooms really well too. (apologies to Mods for what I hope is seen as justifiable publicity!)
In another thread I mentioned that Poundland's spray bathroom cleaner (being, apparently, one of very few current products still containing iso-propanol) does the business.
This time I tried a simplified technique, leaving out the Epson head-cleaning and nozzle-testing cycle completely because it uses up so much ink.
I turned on the printer and then pulled the power plug out once the printing head had moved away from its "park" position. This allows the head to be moved off to one side by hand to allow good access to the foam inkpad into which the head parks. Using kitchen paper folded up into a thick wad I pressed down gently into the inkpad a few times to remove the bulk of the ink in it and then dripped about a dozen drips of the Poundland bathroom cleaner into the foam from a little bottle with a nozzle (I had used the cleaner's spray when I cleaned the last printer head but it tends to be hard to aim and goes everywhere).
Then I plugged the printer back in and switched it on and off again so the print head parked into the Poundland soup in the inkpad and left it - actually I forgot all about it for a couple of days. With no further ado and with no waste of ink from the Epson head-cleaning and testing cycle - it worked perfectly first time!
I have since discovered that it unblocks ballpoint pens too. Just sit them point down into the very shallowest amount in a jar for a couple of days..... Magic! Let's just hope that the Poundland people don't change their recipe.
I know that there are special liquids available but this stuff is much cheaper and available near you - and cleans bathrooms really well too. (apologies to Mods for what I hope is seen as justifiable publicity!)