Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Cleaning xenon lamp

my profile | my password | search | faq & rules | forum home

»	Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE » Operations » Film Handlers' Forum » Cleaning xenon lamp (Page 2)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2

Author

Topic: Cleaning xenon lamp

John Hawkinson
Film God

Posts: 2273
From: Cambridge, MA, USA
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 03-27-2009 01:14 AM

Almost certainly. Osram recommends mineral spirits (e.g. paint thinner), actually.

The key is to not leave residue behind on the quartz glass.

--jhawk

| IP: Logged

Tony Bandiera Jr
Film God

Posts: 3067
From: Moreland Idaho
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 03-27-2009 02:23 PM

quote: jhawk
Almost certainly. Osram recommends mineral spirits (e.g. paint thinner), actually.

I think we just found out why Osram bulbs explode!!!

Mineral spirits (and/or paint thinner) leaves an oily smelly residue behind. Try some on your hands..

Shows how stupid Osram's engineers have become.

quote: Paavo Mardi
Hello!
Can I use acetone instead of alcohol to clean xenon bulbs?

Alcohol, and ONLY alcohol, is safe enough of a solvent to use on a Xenon bulb. I would not recommend ANY other solvents, including acetone as it may contain additives that will leave residue on the bulb.

| IP: Logged

John Hawkinson
Film God

Posts: 2273
From: Cambridge, MA, USA
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 03-27-2009 02:30 PM

Maybe it's lost in translation. They actually just say "spirit":

quote:

XBO® lamps may only be held by the base. If the quartz bulb or the shafts should ever be inadvertently touched with bare fingers (which should never happen because unprotected lamps should only ever be handled with leather gloves), the fingerprints must be removed immediately. A lint-free cloth moistened with spirit is best for this, after which the lamp should be rubbed dry, taking care not to scratch the quartz glass surface. Damage to the glass may cause the lamp to break during later operation.

Acetone is C3H6O. It's probably even more likely to be pure than isopropanol (C3H7OH), since you don't have to contend with a common 30% water variety. (Unless you're talking about colored scented nail polish remover).

But don't confuse me with a chemist.

--jhawk

| IP: Logged

Tony Bandiera Jr
Film God

Posts: 3067
From: Moreland Idaho
Registered: Apr 2004

posted 03-27-2009 02:36 PM

quote:
Maybe it's lost in translation. They actually just say "spirit":

That's entirely possible. The new Osram Guide seems to have been poorly translated from Chinese as opposed to the old one. But it is that kind of error that can cause all kinds of trouble.

quote:
Acetone is C3H6O. It's probably even more likely to be pure than isopropanol (C3H7OH), since you don't have to contend with a common 30% water variety. (Unless you're talking about colored scented nail polish remover).

That's why I make a blanket prohibition against acetone. The most common kind available cheaply IS the scented, colored variety. Pure acetone is somewhat hard to come by and tends to be more expensive than alcohol.

| IP: Logged

Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 03-27-2009 05:00 PM

The reason for not using acetone has more to do with application, skin contact...yadda, yadda, yadda.

I've never seen Acetone w/additives marketed as Acetone...not saying it hasn't or doesn't happen...just never seen it myself. Acetone also has a relatively low flash point.

As to Alcohol...if one uses rubbing, it isn' the end of the world to have the water content as it will boil away very quickly and will protect one's hands a bit. Alcohol is the best choice to use, in my opinion. Acetone also is harmful to many things if spilled in a way that alcohol is likely to be safe.

Steve

| IP: Logged

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

This topic comprises 2 pages: 1 2

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Film-Tech Forums are designed for various members related to the cinema industry to express their opinions, viewpoints and testimonials on various products, services and events based upon speculation, personal knowledge and factual information through use, therefore all views represented here allow no liability upon the publishers of this web site and the owners of said views assume no liability for any ill will resulting from these postings. The posts made here are for educational as well as entertainment purposes and as such anyone viewing this portion of the website must accept these views as statements of the author of that opinion and agrees to release the authors from any and all liability.