Canon PG-245 / PG-246 Refill Insert Kit: Where to Find the Spongeless Version (and What Happened to the Sponge Kit)

Question: I'm trying to locate something I ordered before on your site, but I can't find it. It was a kit with two plastic inserts that fit Canon PG-245 and PG-246 cartridges. You cut and remove the top of the old cartridge, then slide a clear box and a sponge into the old cartridge. Do you still sell it, and where can I find it?

Answer: 

The sponge kit is discontinued, but the spongeless kit is still available

Based on your description, you're referring to an internal "insert" style modification kit for Canon PG/CL cartridges where the top is cut open and an insert assembly is fitted inside the OEM shell. We do still carry the spongeless version of that kit, but we no longer carry the version that includes the sponge.

Here's the active product page for the spongeless kit:

• Modification Kit for Making Spongeless Cartridge (Canon PG/CL series) (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/modification-kit-for-making-spongeless-cartridge-with-canon-pg-210-cl-211-pg-240-cl-241-pg-245-cl-246-pg-243-cl-244-as-rfc-cb2?_pos=1&_sid=fe84029e5&_ss=r)

Why you may not be finding it on the site

A couple common reasons customers can't locate an item they bought before:

1. The exact old listing is gone (this is likely what happened with the sponge version). Once a product is discontinued, the original page may be removed or no longer indexed in search.

2. Search terms changed - the item may now be categorized under "modification kit," "spongeless," or the broader PG/CL families rather than just "PG-245/PG-246 insert."

3. It may have been bundled at the time you ordered (as a kit, variation, or temporary listing), and later split or renamed.

Sponge insert vs. spongeless insert: what's the practical difference?

Even though both approaches start similarly (cut open the cartridge, clean it out, insert a plastic assembly), they behave differently:

• Sponge-based insert kits rely on the sponge to regulate ink flow. Sponges can work well, but they're sensitive to:

  • ink viscosity differences

  • trapped air

  • sponge wear/contamination over time
    If the sponge isn't saturated evenly, you can see fading, intermittent printing, or sudden dropouts.

• Spongeless kits are designed to eliminate sponge-related inconsistency. They can be more stable once installed and primed correctly, but they're also more sensitive to:

  • air management (any small air pocket can cause starvation)

  • proper sealing after cutting the lid

  • correct priming so ink is present at the outlet path before printing

Tips to make the spongeless PG-245/PG-246 conversion go smoother

If you're switching to the spongeless version (or redoing one you already have), these are the issues that most often cause trouble:

• Clean-out matters: Any leftover sponge debris, adhesive, or dried ink can interfere with seating and sealing.

• Seal the top reliably: After you cut the top, the re-seal must be airtight where it needs to be and vented where it needs to be (this is the #1 cause of "it worked once, then stopped").

• Prime properly: Before installing, make sure ink is actually reaching the outlet path. If you install an air-locked cartridge, the printer will "act empty" even when it's full.

• Use consistent ink: Mixing ink types (OEM residue + refill ink with different flow characteristics) can destabilize performance.

• Expect a short stabilization period: Some setups print a little light for the first few pages until flow normalizes-especially after a full clean-out.

Addressing printer issues can be complicated because so much of it is hands-on and depends on the condition of the parts in front of you. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, step-by-step repair coaching, or direct support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility: printer repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we operate first-come, first-served, and it can take a few weeks before we can get your printer in for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either an entire printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. That said, we also understand our rates aren't the most economical-so we strongly recommend self-help through online research first.

A great place to start is YouTube, especially our channel homepage: BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to find videos by keyword. I receive dozens of requests daily asking if we have a video for a specific topic, and after nine years of creating videos, it's hard to remember every single one-so YouTube search is the fastest method. YouTube may also recommend helpful videos from other creators that match what you're working on.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. If you have trouble locating the spongeless kit on the website, using the link above should get you there directly.