Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Best way to clean blower wheels and compartment

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Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 01-20-2006, 05:03 PM:

Have you found any cleaner that does a decent job of cleaning blower wheels and the blower compartment?

OR is a power washer a needed tool? [Big Grin]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 01-20-2006, 05:23 PM:

Oven cleaner and a stiff brush. But don't leave it in too long or it'll remove the paint on the housing... Oven cleaner generally contains some lye which will remove paint. Also use rubber gloves!! Spray it on and swish it around a bit then rince is very hot water and dry off....

Mark

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 01-20-2006, 09:45 PM:

I've used stuff called "spray 9" that cuts the goop well. Laundry detergent is also very effective. Laundy detergent will flake the paint off strong/dayton housings if you soak it too long in really hot water though.
Rubber gloves are required for either if you like pain-free hand skin.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 01-21-2006, 01:49 AM:

I get gutsy sometimes and disassemble the units (sans the motor) and give the parts a good soaking and scrubbing with undiluted Simple Green if they are pretty gooed up from excessive dust and from popcorn grease vapors..

Simple Green like duct tape - who can live without them.

-Monte

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 01-21-2006, 12:17 PM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
get gutsy sometimes and disassemble the units (sans the motor)

Thats the correct way to do it. just wiping out a blower and cage is the sloppy method. The remaining goo will just serve to attract more dust in less time. A nice clean dry cage and housing will stay cleaner alot longer!! Oven cleaner is the quickest way, especially if you have a booth full of lamphouse blowers or exhaust blowers to do. Just do it in an area that has plenty of ventilation and use gloves. Be careful with blower wheels! Any slight bending of them and it will cause it to be out of balance and the resulting vibration will be unpleasant and necessitate you replacing the wheel. One can do 6 or 8 blower wheels and housings in an hour once they are taken apart. Also while they are apart be sure to place the oil hoils in the upright position or closest to that. All manufacturers seem to ignore this and place them upside down. Christie has finally gone to a ball bearing plenum motor... thank god!

Mark