This is topic Platter/Brain cleaning in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by John-Layton Jenkins (Member # 2080) on 03-09-2004, 12:56 AM:
Hey, first post here, just wanted to say hey to everyone.
I'm sure Brad can help me out the most here, since I work at Galaxy now.
Anyway, I was wondering what is the best way to clean the platters and brains? As in, what type of chemicals should I use or not use.
Our brains are filthy, and I'm trying to get them cleaned. I took one of them and had to apply an extreme amount of pressure on the wheels to get the gunk off of them. Even after that, it left the brain looking fairly dirty still.
We're going through a spring cleaning type deal here and I just wanted your opinions. Thanks.
Posted by Dustin Mitchell (Member # 372) on 03-09-2004, 01:00 AM:
Acetone based nail polish remover. It removes gunk with little to no effort, just soak the corner of a cloth and wipe the dirty areas. In all the years I've used it I've observed no damage to rollers and since it evaporates almost immediatly it won't harm the film.
Posted by John-Layton Jenkins (Member # 2080) on 03-09-2004, 01:04 AM:
Ah, nice. I'll look into it. We have some bookers coming to our theatre, and the GM wants it cleaned. I've cleaned the entire booth, except for the brains. I did the platter, but the don't look clean, even though they are.
I know I was told Brad used to use sandpaper on the platters, but I'm not experienced enough w/ sandpaper, so I'm not about to use it. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 03-09-2004, 02:25 AM:
The sandpaper thing was (is) not for "cleaning" -- it's a method to remove the mirror-finish the platters get after thousands of miles of film have run across the surface, and restore the micro-grooves which makes it look new and also helps keep the film in line. If you get the new platter rings this isn't an issue anymore.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-09-2004, 02:51 AM:
With as badly scratched up as the platters were the last time I dropped by the theater, they need to be buffed. An added benefit of the buffing is that it will buff away all of that caked in dirt. From there, if you will run the film cleaners, you won't see that kind of buildup down the road (plus your presentation will be improved). I showed Mark (assuming he is still there) how to do this. If he isn't around anymore, I can show you how, but it'll probably be April with my current schedule.
Posted by John-Layton Jenkins (Member # 2080) on 03-09-2004, 03:16 AM:
Yeah, Mark is around still. I only really see him like once or twice a week because of our schedules though. I've worked booth at MacArthur and LakePointe for the last 2 years, and the scary thing is, is that I've never really had to do major cleaning. At MacArthur, everything stayed clean year round, so nothing grand had to be done. LakePointe was a shit hole that nobody took care of, so anything I did there was ruined the next shift.
Anyways, I do use film cleaners now but it seems pointless to tell the truth. With dirty platters and brians, the dirt get right back on the film after its been run through. I think we're up to 5 cleaners that work, and like 2 or 3 broken ones. It would be a perfect world if we had 1 for each projector. With all the theatres closing, it may be possible, but I'm working with what I got as of now.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-09-2004, 03:49 AM:
Get everything good an cleaned once, then run FilmGuard on those cleaners every possible chance you get (running dry doesn't really do anything), and life will be much better up there.
Posted by John-Layton Jenkins (Member # 2080) on 03-09-2004, 03:53 AM:
Ya, that's what I've been planning. Just kind of hard getting it implemented. I got dropped down to 4 shifts a week, and there always seems like something to do since Passion has come out. Zina isn't scheduling many people, so we have to go clean.
Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 03-14-2007, 10:45 AM:
It has been 1100 days since the last post.
Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 03-14-2007, 10:45 AM:
I have a question and am seeking opinions. Recently, I was told that using WD-40 to clean our platters was good by our technician, but, I disagreed since WD-40 makes the platters slick and would possibly have the prints move of center or worse. I currently use rubbing alcohol to clean the platters, which works good and the platters aren't slick as opposed to using WD-40. In a booth meeting recently, all of the booth staff and I are in agreement that we should stop using WD-40 as the main thing to use in cleaning platters. So, the question is, should I continue with rubbing alcohol or should I use WD-40? And, if any of you have any other ideas, I'm open to any kind of suggestions, opinions, and the like. Thanks!
Posted by Phil Ranucci (Member # 3820) on 03-14-2007, 01:22 PM:
Formula 409 works well on the decks, alcohol on the rollers.
Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 03-14-2007, 01:34 PM:
In my opinion, WD 40 should be banned from projection booths except when a qualified technician needs to use it properly. I would not use WD 40 for cleaning and film handling surface. WD 40 is not a lubricant or cleaning solution it is a "Water Dispondent" it is useful to remove "gunk" from different parts during servicing but it has to be thoroughly dried and removed or else it will cause even worse "gunk" build up.
I always used rubbing alcohol for cleaning because it evaporates very quickly and ideally that is what you want. You don't want to leave any chemical residue on any film handling surfaces.
Posted by Ron Curran (Member # 3631) on 03-14-2007, 08:36 PM:
I use the used Filmtech pads. Seems to work fine and it is amazing how much solution is still left in them.
Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 03-14-2007, 10:23 PM:
Thanks so much for the advice & opinions. I would agree with you Sean that WD-40 should be banned from booth, with the exceptions as you mentioned. Luckily, I haven't had any prints do the Slip-Sliding-Away since I started using Rubbing Alcohol and have been lucky that it hasn't happened before using Alcohol. I was always on a constant patrol through-out the booth just to ensure all prints were fine.
Posted by Kevin Raisler (Member # 1761) on 03-15-2007, 01:58 PM:
I use fantastick great cleaning plus it kills bacteria! alcohol works good too.
Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 03-15-2007, 03:02 PM:
I'll try both Formula 409 & Fantastik (separately, of course). I did notice, however, that when I do clean the platters (usually, once a week or more if needed), that a whole lot of gunk does come off. Unfortunately, I am unable to use used Film-Tech film cleaner pads because my theatre doesn't have any Film-Tech products, though, I wish we did though. It would be a wonderful addition to my booth if I could manage to get the Film-Tech products, including the Platter Safety Rings.
Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 03-16-2007, 02:55 PM:
Course, Windex with Ammonia, Simple Green, and other cleaners mentioned does a great job as well. I've even taken the decks off the arms, lay them against the wall and give them the once over with a good saturating spray (keeping the stuff away from the hub areas), good scrubbing cloths, a bucket of rinse water and you've got some very clean decks there.
As for the brains, got an air compressor to blow the dust off of them - the removeable brains? If you got permanent mounted brains, a professional soft long natural bristle (don't use nylon bristles) 1-inch paint brush does wonders to brush things out. But, if you got microswitched brains, just be careful in brushing around the switch so the tang doesn't get knocked out of alignment for proper operation..
-Monte
Posted by Chad M Calpito (Member # 3736) on 03-16-2007, 06:27 PM:
Another awesome idea. Thanks Monte! Luckily, we have removeable brains and we use those cans of Air Blast as well as soft cloths to wipe down the brains of any dust, etc while paying very close attention to as not to put anything out of alignment.
Again, thanks for your ideas as well, Monte! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Posted by Samuel Andrew Wetzel (Member # 3759) on 03-28-2007, 02:18 AM:
As far as cleaning platter decks is concerned, i've tried everything. alcohol works fine, buffing the decks is great if you have scratched decks, but if you're just trying to get rid of the caked on grime and oil from months of dirty prints i found that a foamind degreaser like spartan chemical SD-20 works wonders. no need to even remove the platter...just spray it on, let it soak for a while and wipe off. those platters look brand new without any oily residue.
Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 03-28-2007, 07:49 PM:
I've used Butchers multi-surface cleaner for several years on everything from platters, film guides, daily cleaning of the gates, ect. with no problems. We buy it in concentrate and have it hooked up to automatic dilution station.