Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Cleaning PTR rollers

This is topic Cleaning PTR rollers in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=002869

Posted by Barry Hans (Member # 477) on 12-10-2001, 02:24 PM:

So I have only used water to clean PTR's. I was talking to someone who said the best thing to clean PTR's with is Dawn dishwashing soap

.I would think there would be a possibility of some residue being left on the roller. Anyone use anything other than just water?

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-10-2001, 02:50 PM:

Since I developed the use of PTR film cleaners for Kodak, and presented two technical papers at the SMPTE, I guess I am qualified to answer.

Use a bit of mild clear liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water to clean the PTRs, and RINSE completely. The detergent helps remove any oil residue the PTRs may pick up from the print. Dry completely before use.

Loose particulate dirt can be removed by "see-sawing" a piece of adhesive tape on the PTR to pick up the dirt particles. Use a tape with a high quality mild adhesive just sticky enough to remove the dirt, lest you "pluck" pieces of the soft polyurethane from the PTR.

In general, wet cleaning with detergent is needed only when the PTRs get oily deposits, perhaps no more than once per day. Normally the tape cleaning method is fine between shows.

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-10-2001, 03:06 PM:

If find 3M clear packing tape the best to use

Posted by Ben Stephenson (Member # 741) on 01-22-2002, 05:56 PM:

With 19 screens and 2 PTRs pre screen you can imagine that is alot of cleaning each night but we use just warm water and in works just fine !

Posted by Jonas Heijkenskjold (Member # 1085) on 01-22-2002, 06:38 PM:

Ben, how do you dry them between shows. You really don´t hav time to let them air dry I suppose. We also have only two rollers per screen, and seldom enough time to let them air dry. After washing them (they´re often too dirty to use only tape) I hit them sideways one by one to my palm, dry the inside and the sides with a paper towel (not the surface), let them air dry for a couple of minutes while I bring down or up the projector (we have four on elevators), clean the projector and film path, change DTS discs and automation program etcetera, then finally I have to wash my hands again, dry them thoroughly and carefully wipe off the last few drops of water with the side of my thumb. I guess that will get some skin oil on the roller, but it is not visible. Last thing I do is to spin them while in place to make shure they are dry.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 01-22-2002, 07:05 PM:

You really need two sets of PTR rollers for each projector if you plan to clean them between shows. There is no way to let them air-dry during a typical intermission (unless maybe you have a changeover setup with 60-minute reels). Personally, I'd just leave the rollers off for every other show, rather than risk running them wet.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 01-22-2002, 09:22 PM:

A hair dryer speeds drying if you are in a hurry. But see-sawing a piece of low stick tape works fine to get off the loose dirt quickly between shows. Washing once a day with mild detergent and water is usually enough to remove any buildup of oily dirt.

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 01-22-2002, 11:56 PM:

I have the luxury of dry compressed air in my booth. If I'm in a big hurry to use wet PTRs, I just blow 'em dry with the air hose.

Posted by Ben Stephenson (Member # 741) on 01-24-2002, 09:26 AM:

Jonas, we only wash them at the end of each day, would be imposable to clean then after each show, IMAX PTRs are cleaned after each show but bigger gaps inbetween shows