Topic: Printer print head cleaning.

[JK]

Hi
I have an Epson stylus photo 870, which I have not used for a long time. Now I find that the print head must have old dryed ink in it , as it fails to print one of the colours correctly, despite installing a new cartridge and using the Epson head cleaning process.
Due you know how I can clean the print head, I have seen head cleaning kits for sale, are they any good?
Or does anyone know a simpiler way. Your comments are welcome.
Kind regards.

[JK]

6 views but no replies?

[Clive]

If there is no error message on the screen then you must consider the possibilty that the cartridge is faulty.  I've had numerous faulty cartridges over the years!  If you bought it from a  store then take it back with your receipt and demand a replacement or refund.

[JK]

Thank you. But my message said it's a head not cartridge problem.

[JK]

My head is gummed up with old ink.

[Clive]

Then I would try and clean it using a cotton bud soaked in ethanol which can be bought as surgical spirit or methylated spirit.

[Sandra]

Afraid I havent had much to do with inkjet printers as I only use and old laser printer that just keeps going.
So I cant offer you any advise unfortunately.

[sam]

put of interest are they actual epson catridges? or are they the immitation kind.. I have found on occasion that they can be crap, I use the immitation kind but sometimes you get a bad batch.

[JK]

SAM it's a refilled Epson cartridge from cartridge world, but it was playing up the last time I used it with a proper Epson one.

[JK]

I have come accross this site http://www.powerklin.co.uk/ . Would you consider it worthwhile trying the product? Have any PC pal members used anything like this.
Kind regards.

[Clive]

My guess is that powerklin is surgical spirit (ethanol).  The reason?  Because ethanol is the solvent in which the dyes used in the ink are dissolved.  £10.80 is a lot to pay for 10 ml of something that can be bought at a pharmacy for almost nothing.  Ethanol cannot harm copper or plastic.

[sam]

I agree with clive.. it probably is ethanol, maybe with some other agent - if you are careful you will not have a problem with giving surgical spirit a go first (but dont drink it! )

[Simon]

(but dont drink it! )

... or you might end up looking like this...!   

[sam]

hehe! I wondered how long it would be before someone commented on my new emo look... alas it only lasted about an hour... then it all got a bit sticky and sweaty...

[Simon]

Hey, Meat!  Do Bat Out Of Hell!!