Best Cleaning Solutions and Methods for Stubborn Printhead Clogs

Customer Question:

I ordered the waste tank pump and the white, green, and red cleaning solutions from BCH Technologies. I have a stubborn magenta and yellow printhead clog that I’ve been trying to fix. I have already soaked the printhead, used the shoe-shining method, performed printhead cleanings, and power cleanings. The nozzle check has improved but is still not great. Should I flush the printhead with one of the cleaning solutions? Which one should I use? Also, should I remove the dampers before flushing?

Answer:

Thank you for reaching out to us and for your support of BCH Technologies! We apologize for not being able to respond sooner. We understand that dealing with printhead clogs can be frustrating, and we appreciate your patience. We also want to provide a thorough and detailed response to help resolve your issue. At BCH Technologies, we greatly value your engagement, especially with our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback helps us improve our technical expertise and create better resources for our customers.

Which Cleaning Solution to Use?

For a stubborn magenta and yellow printhead clog, the Red Cleaning Solution is the most effective choice. This solution is designed to break down dried ink and tough blockages inside the printhead.

However, before flushing the printhead, we recommend testing the capping station’s seal using the syringe and air draw method:

1. Draw about 1.5 ml of air through the waste line while the printhead is parked.

2. If you feel resistance and hear the damper membrane crinkle, the nozzles are open.

3. If no air is drawn or you experience total resistance, your capping station might be leaking or clogged. In that case, you should fix the capping station first before proceeding with printhead flushing.

How to Flush the Printhead Correctly

If the cleaning cycles and soaking haven’t fully restored your nozzle check, removing the dampers and flushing the printhead is a good next step. Here’s how to do it:

1. Remove the dampers carefully to access the printhead directly.

2. Use a syringe with a cleaning solution to flush the printhead with controlled, light pressure (excessive force can damage the nozzles).

3. Let the printhead rest for at least 30 minutes after flushing to allow the cleaning solution to dissolve any remaining blockages.

4. Run a nozzle check before reinstalling the dampers to verify improvements.

Understanding BCH Cleaning Solutions

At BCH Technologies, we offer three different cleaning solutions tailored for different types of ink and clogging severity. Choosing the right one ensures effective cleaning without damaging your printhead.

• Clear Cleaning Solution (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/clear-cleaning-solution):

  • Best for both dye and pigment inks

  • The mildest option, effective for clearing light to moderate clogs

  • Eco-friendly and safe for all printer brands

• Green Cleaning Solution (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/green-cleaning-solution):

  • Suitable for dye, pigment, and sublimation inks

  • Stronger than the clear solution, effective for more stubborn clogs

  • Non-corrosive and environmentally friendly

• Red Cleaning Solution (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/red-cleaning-solution):

  • Most powerful cleaning agent for severe clogs

  • Works on dye, pigment, and sublimation inks

  • Should not be left in the printer for more than 24 hours

For specialized printing needs, we also offer Premium Cleaning Solutions for DTF and DTG inks:

• MaxStrength™ DTF Cleaning Solution (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/dtf-cleaning-solution):

  • Designed for removing white ink clogs

  • Not suitable for dye ink

  • Intended for professional use due to its strength

Final Thoughts

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. We are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. However, we do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (BCH Printer Repair Service(https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service)). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before your printer can be dropped off.

Our services cover full printer repairs or specific part replacements, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates may not be the most economical option. Therefore, we highly recommend exploring self-help solutions via online research. You can start by checking our YouTube channel(https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search function next to “About” on the menu bar to find specific troubleshooting videos.

We appreciate your patience and support. If you have further questions, feel free to ask! Thank you for reaching out to BCH Technologies.