Canon PG-260 / CL-261 Sponge-less Refill Kit: Why Am I Getting Streaks After the Mod?

Question
I installed the BCH sponge-less refill kit on my Canon PG-260 and CL-261 cartridges. Before the modification, the printer was working fine. I did the cartridge mod at around 60 pages, and since then I've printed about 100 pages, but I'm seeing streaks and grainy areas in my prints.

I followed Kevin's YouTube videos step by step, and I'm worried I did something wrong. It looks like the print head might be clogged, but I've already:

1. Run multiple nozzle checks

2. Used the printer's regular and deep cleaning functions

3. Performed print head alignment

4. Used a syringe to prime the cartridges

5. Tried a separate priming clip

6. Waited some time to see if things improved

Even after all of this, the streaks and grainy output are still there, especially on full-page photos (both normal and best quality, color and grayscale). Is there any way to get the printer printing smoothly and correctly again?

Answer

1. What your nozzle check tells us

From your description (and the photos you mentioned), the nozzle check pattern looks perfect. That is a very important clue:

• A perfect nozzle check usually means:

  • No clogged nozzles

  • No major ink starvation

  • The print head is firing all its jets correctly

If a print head were truly clogged, you would expect missing lines, gaps, or broken segments in the nozzle test. Since your nozzle test is clean, this strongly suggests the problem is not a classic clog, even though the output on photos looks streaky or grainy.

So the core good news: your PG-260 (black) and CL-261 (color) cartridges are likely functioning mechanically and electronically as they should.

2. Why full-page photos look grainy after the sponge-less mod

You're noticing the problem most clearly on:

• Full-page color test prints

• Full-page grayscale test prints

• Full-page photos (normal and best quality)

This is actually consistent with how two-cartridge Canon printers (like those using PG-260/CL-261) behave, especially after a sponge-less conversion.

A few key points:

1. Printer class and resolution limits

   • Printers using PG-260 and CL-261 are entry-level, general-purpose models.

   • They're great for documents and casual photos, but they're not at the same level as dedicated photo printers with multiple color channels.

   • When you print solid, large photo areas, the way the printer dither patterns the ink dots can appear grainy even when everything is working correctly.

2. Sponge-less conversion behavior

   • The BCH sponge-less kit removes the internal sponge and turns the cartridge into a free-ink reservoir.

   • When done correctly, it does not reduce print quality, but:

     • The ink column behaves a bit differently compared to a sponge-based system.

     • Micro-variations in how ink feeds can show up more noticeably on full-coverage photos than on text or small color patches.

   • However, if the nozzle check is perfect, it means the ink feed is stable enough for the head to fire consistently.

3. Plain paper vs photo paper

   • On standard copy paper, even the best quality setting can look "grainy" when printing high-coverage photos.

   • Dots spread differently on plain paper, and the driver often reduces ink load to prevent over-saturation, which can exaggerate the appearance of dithering or banding.

So, the bottom line is that what you're seeing-especially if it's mainly on full-page photos-is largely within the normal performance range of this cartridge/printer class, particularly after a refill/mod. Your cartridges and print head may actually be working properly, even if the output doesn't look like a lab-grade photo printer.

3. Things you can check and tweak to improve output

Even if the nozzle pattern is perfect, there are a few areas where you might squeeze out a bit more quality and reduce visible streaking/banding.

A. Paper type and quality settings

Make sure your driver settings match what you're printing on:

• If you're using photo paper, select a photo paper type (e.g., "Photo Paper Glossy") in the printer driver, not just "Plain Paper."

• For best appearance on photos:

  • Use Best Quality or High Quality mode.

  • Avoid any "Economy," "Draft," or ink-saving settings.

This tells the printer to lay down ink differently-more like a photo model and less like a document printer.

B. Re-run alignment (with the right paper)

You've already done a print head alignment, which is good. If you haven't already:

• Use a clean sheet of good-quality plain paper or photo paper (depending on your model's instructions).

• Make sure the paper is flat and not curled.

• Follow any on-screen instructions carefully; some Canon models ask you to confirm which pattern looks best.

A good alignment ensures that multiple passes of the print head line up and reduces subtle banding in gradients and photos.

C. Check cartridge installation and venting

With sponge-less cartridges, venting is critical:

• Make sure any air vent holes (usually on the top of the cartridge, often where the original label was pierced) are open and not blocked by tape or a label.

• If the vent is restricted, ink flow can lag slightly during long, heavy prints, creating mild banding even though nozzle checks look fine.

Also verify:

• The cartridges are fully seated in the carriage.

• The electrical contacts on the cartridge and carriage are clean (no ink, fingerprints, or residue). If needed, you can gently wipe them with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water, then let them dry completely before reinstalling.

D. Confirm ink type and fill level

If you're using BCH ink intended for these Canon cartridges, that's ideal. Just make sure:

• The cartridges are not overfilled (too much ink can affect internal pressure).

• The cartridges are not almost empty (low ink can draw in micro-air bubbles, which sometimes show up more under heavy coverage).

Since your nozzle checks are clean, this is probably not a major factor, but it's worth confirming.

4. When you should worry vs when it's "normal"

Given that:

• Your nozzle test is perfect,

• You have already used deep cleaning, priming, and alignment,

• The issue shows up mainly on full-page photos rather than basic test patterns,

What we're seeing in your samples-slight graininess and some visible patterning-is actually normal behavior for this combo of:

• PG-260/CL-261 integrated cartridges

• General-purpose Canon printer engine

• Sponge-less refill modification

• Possibly plain paper or non-photo media for full-coverage prints

In other words, nothing in your description screams "critical hardware failure." It looks more like you are running up against the natural limitations of the printer's design and the way it renders high-coverage photo content, rather than a true defect in your modification or a serious clog.

So to echo the short version of our internal assessment:

• It looks alright to us.

• The nozzle check is excellent, and the graininess on full-page photos is expected behavior for this cartridge type and printer class.

Addressing printer issues can be quite involved because so many of the real problems are physical and hands-on-paper, cartridges, alignment, ink behavior, environmental conditions, and so on. For this reason, we're not able to provide full remote troubleshooting, detailed repair suggestions, or one-on-one support for every printer repair situation. Instead, we offer an in-person inspection and repair option through our local diagnostic facility, which you can learn more about here: BCH printer repair service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to the volume of requests, we operate strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, and it can take a few weeks before we're able to receive a printer for evaluation. Our service is designed to handle either complete printer repairs or specific component-level work, with clear instructions on how to proceed. That said, our rates are not always the cheapest option, so we strongly encourage self-help and DIY research whenever possible. A great starting point is the homepage of our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). If you click on the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar, you can look up topics like your cartridge model, streaks, alignment, and more. I get dozens of questions every day asking if there's a video on a specific issue-after nine years of making content, it's honestly hard to remember every single one, so using YouTube's built-in search is usually the fastest and most effective way to find what you need. Plus, YouTube may recommend other creators' videos that fit your exact printer model or problem.

Thank you again for your patience, for following the videos so carefully, and for reaching out with such a detailed description of what you've tried. We truly appreciate your support and hope this explanation helps set your expectations and gives you a bit more confidence in how your printer and sponge-less cartridges are performing.