Epson L1800/L805 Printhead Unclogging: Will Dipping the Core in Liquid Damage the Head?

Question: In your "Shocking Secrets of L1800 L805 Printhead Unclogging Machine" video, you dip the printhead core into a liquid. Won't that damage the printhead? Or is it safe as long as it's completely dry before using it again?

Answer: 

1) Yes-liquid can damage a printhead core, but it depends on what liquid and where it goes

The "core" area of many Epson printheads (including Epson L1800/L805 style heads) isn't just a simple metal plate-there are delicate electrical paths, laminated layers, adhesives, and contact points involved. If the wrong liquid gets into the wrong place, it can cause:

• Short circuits (if the liquid is conductive)

• Corrosion on contacts and internal traces

• Delamination of layered structures

• Swelling/softening adhesives (some solvents attack glues)

• Mineral deposits (tap water residue can permanently block nozzles or cause electrical leakage)

So the risk is real-but the key detail is: in the video, the liquid used is not water.

2) The liquid in the video is not water-it's a non-conductive solvent

If you look closely at the video, I never stated the liquid is water. The liquid we use in the lab is an in-house formulated solvent designed to be non-conductive. That matters because:

• Non-conductive fluid dramatically reduces the chance of electrical shorting while the printhead is wet.

• It can also help dissolve or loosen ink buildup more effectively than plain water in certain clog situations.

That said, "non-conductive" does not automatically mean "safe in all situations." Even non-conductive fluids can be risky if they:

• attack adhesives,

• seep into places they shouldn't,

• or are left trapped inside the head.

This is why technique and drying steps matter.

3) If someone soaked the core in water, what should they do?

Water-especially tap water-is one of the worst things to saturate a printhead core with, because it can be both conductive (due to dissolved minerals) and leave residue.

If your core was soaked in water, there are two safer recovery paths:

Option A: Displace/dilute the water with a non-conductive liquid

Your proposed answer is correct: if water got inside, you can reduce risk by soaking/rinsing the head (carefully) in a non-conductive liquid to dilute and displace the water. Think of it like flushing out something harmful with something less harmful.

The goal is to:

• reduce conductivity,

• reduce mineral residue,

• and prevent corrosion.

Option B: Completely dry the printhead before power is ever applied

If you don't have an appropriate non-conductive liquid, the safest alternative is to let the head dry completely before reinstalling and powering on.

"Completely dry" means more than surface dry:

• Moisture can remain trapped internally or behind laminated areas.

• Even a tiny amount of moisture near contacts can cause misfiring or permanent electrical damage when voltage is applied.

Practical drying tips (safe general guidance):

• Air-dry in a warm, dry area with good airflow.

• Keep it away from dust and direct sunlight.

• Avoid high heat (hair dryers/heat guns) because excess heat can warp plastics or weaken adhesives.

4) Why drying matters so much: the danger is powering on while moisture remains

A printhead can sometimes survive being wet if it is never powered while wet. The moment voltage hits a damp or mineral-contaminated contact area, you can get:

• blown nozzles,

• driver damage,

• or a head that prints partially and never recovers.

So your instinct is correct: drying (or displacing water with non-conductive fluid) is critical before reuse.

5) What parts should (and should not) be dipped?

Even when using the right solvent, the safest practice is usually:

• Focus on the nozzle plate area and ink pathways

• Avoid saturating the contact pad region and upper body/core region unless you know exactly what you're doing and why

Many DIY failures happen because:

• people dunk the entire head,

• liquid enters areas that were never meant to get wet,

• and the head is powered up before fully dry.

6) Error codes

No printer error codes were mentioned in your question or comment. If you see any Epson-related errors after reinstalling-especially errors tied to carriage movement, head temperature, or general printer faults-include the exact code/message next time and it can help narrow down whether the problem is electrical damage, clog-related behavior, or a separate mechanical issue.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems, and outcomes can vary a lot depending on what fluid was used, how long the head was exposed, and whether moisture reached the contact areas. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, repair suggestions, or step-by-step 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 on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can accept your printer for drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either a full printer or specific components, with clear instructions on how to proceed. We also understand our rates may not be the most economical option, so we strongly recommend self-help through online research. You can start on YouTube or by visiting our channel homepage-BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). To find targeted topics quickly, use the search icon near "About" on the right side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of questions every day asking whether we have a video for a specific issue, and after creating videos for many years, it's difficult to remember every single one-so YouTube's search tool is the fastest method. You may also get useful suggestions from other channels that cover related repairs.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. I hope this clears up why the liquid type matters, why water is risky, and what to do if the core was exposed-so you can avoid damaging the printhead when bringing it back into service.