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Author Topic: What type of cleaner to use to clean the heads? Randy Stankey Film God Posts: 6539 From: Erie, Pennsylvania Registered: Jun 99 posted 09-07-2005 05:52 PM                     I use FilmGuard, applied to the film according to the instructions on the enclosed leaflet and a clean shop rag. On occasion, when the projector needs an extra good cleaning I'll use a China Bristle paint brush or a Q-Tip. These are the only things I clean the projector with. Maybe once or twice per year, I like to do a full "Take-Apart Cleaning". That's where I get out the vacuum cleaner and take off the shutter housing and open up the lamphouse. I get in there and carefully clean out the nooks and crannies. If I find some baked on crud that got missed on the regular cleanings I'll use one of the above mentioned cleaners in small amounts. (Just enough to to the job.) The key is to clean the projector after EVERY run. Keep a cleaning cloth on a shelf next to the projector. If you're working in a Megaplex, you can keep a cloth in your back pocket. Before you thread for the next show or after the last show of the night, take a half minute and wipe out the projector. Yes, folks... It's THAT simple! If kept clean from the get-go, a projector will need little or no solvents or liquids of any kind to get the dirt out. If you let it go for even one or two shows, the dirt will start to build up and you'll start to have problems.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 09-07-2005 06:21 PM                     Me with a 2 inch tapered china bristle brush and a red shop rag in my back pocket at all times when I was working at my megaplexes. Sometimes, I'd forget to take them out when driving home... ..and alcohol to clean port glass windows. The bigger windows that I could reach across with, or outside standing on the back handicap area in the large houses, then a good ol dishsoap and water wash on the windows... -Monte  |  IP: Logged Heath Dutton Film Handler Posts: 37 From: Montgomery, Alabama / United States of America Registered: Jul 2005 posted 09-10-2005 01:14 PM                     I personally like to use Filmguard, or the "CPI projector cleaner/lubricant". And I use Scott Box-of-rags (from Lowes or HomeDepot), which are basically high-quality lint-free disposables. I have been told to NEVER EVER use alcohol on the projectors. I was told that even though it does evaporate quickly, some of the alcohol will creep into the crevices and will eventually cause rust in those places. Of course that is assuming you are using a good deal of alcohol, but it still sounds possible. I have been told that a cheap and effective fluid is liquid WD-40 (not the arosol cans), since it comes in bulk and has no risk of rusting. But I would still stick to using FG for any part of the projector that comes in contact with the film, but I am planning on getting some of this stuff to save on FG. Now, I know this is gonna sound crazy but I recently tried "magic erasers", and they did an amazing job without liquids at all, but of course there is no protective lubricant on the surface to prevent rust. On the other hand I haven't found ANYTHING that will clean a platter as brilliantly as one of these nifty things... Too bad they are so darn expensive. As for flammability, I don't see the point of restricting things like alcohol. I would have to say it is the easiest substance in our booth to ignite, but it's flame is not nearly as hot as the red flame of Filmguard. Granted the FG has to have a great deal of oxygen to burn. It either has to be sprayed in a fine mist or mixed with rust to really burn, but when it does it is so pretty, and leaves the calming aroma of tiki torches. er... not that I would know.  |  IP: Logged

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