Can You Reuse Inkless Cartridge Conversion Kits After a Printhead Fails?

Customer Question:
I’ve been successfully printing with the help of BCH’s tips—thank you! I now have a question regarding your inkless cartridge conversion kits. If the printhead fails, is there a way to safely remove and recover the conversion kit for reuse?

Answer:

Can You Remove and Reuse the Inkless Cartridge Conversion Kit?

Yes, in many cases, it is possible to safely remove and reuse the inkless cartridge conversion kit, depending primarily on the type of adhesive used during installation. Here's a detailed breakdown of the most common scenarios:

1. Superglue

If you used cyanoacrylate-based superglue (like Gorilla Glue or Krazy Glue), it can be challenging to remove, but not impossible. Home improvement stores such as Home Depot typically carry a superglue remover in the paint or adhesives section. These removers are specially formulated to break down cured glue without damaging plastic parts. You can also find a variety of similar products on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com), which may offer additional options with specific application tips.

2. RTV Silicone Glue

RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing) silicone glue is commonly used because it provides a firm but flexible seal. RTV silicone can usually be peeled or popped off manually with a bit of patience. Gently cut or pry it away from the printhead using a plastic or wooden tool to avoid damage.

3. Other Adhesives (e.g., Hot Glue, General-Purpose Adhesives)

If you use other adhesive types, Goo Gone or similar citrus-based adhesive removers can often help dissolve sticky residues. While these removers are not always effective on hardened adhesives, they’re worth trying as a first step. Apply the solution and let it soak in for several minutes before gently removing the components.

Additional Tips for Safe Removal

• Always power off the printer and unplug it before attempting to remove any components.

• Use non-metallic tools when prying or scraping to prevent damage to delicate parts.

• If any part of the kit or glue feels stuck, don’t force it—this can damage the surrounding area.

• Consider using a small amount of isopropyl alcohol around the edges to help loosen certain types of glue.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it may take a few weeks before we can arrange for your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be the most efficient approach. Additionally, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that can assist you.

Thank you again for reaching out to us! Your enthusiasm and curiosity are precisely what keep us motivated to produce detailed tutorials and support materials. Continue printing, and feel free to contact us again if you have any further questions.