Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Cleaning xenon lamp

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Posted by Matthew Taylor (Member # 2310) on 02-16-2006, 10:14 AM:

I have acquired a new lamphouse that has an old lamp in it. I am going to have to put up with the old lamp until I can afford a new one. Whilst cleaning the reflector I touch the lamp. My question is would it be ok the clean the lamp using some alcohol wipes to remove any grease?

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 02-16-2006, 10:51 AM:

I seem to remember that we swabbed newly installed xenon lamps with alcohol-soaked clean cotton editor gloves before buttoning up the lamphouse. Just a precaution to get any inadvertant knuckle prints off the quartz before striking it up.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 02-16-2006, 12:18 PM:

Christie used to package an alcohol wipe with each lamp, specifically for the purpose.

Posted by Dominic Espinosa (Member # 2122) on 02-16-2006, 03:29 PM:

Pure alchohol and a lint free cloth is what I've always read.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-17-2006, 02:35 PM:

Yes, pure isopropyl alcohol can be used to gently remove any fingerprints. USE PROPER SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES! [Eek!]

If you leave the prints on the lamp, they can etch the surface, eventually causing a lamp failure.

Posted by Jason Miller (Member # 2341) on 02-17-2006, 03:32 PM:

I was told to use Denatured alchohol. Is Isopropyl the right one?

Posted by Thomas King (Member # 2745) on 02-20-2006, 05:16 AM:

Denatured alcohol is simply ethanol that's had stuff added that makes you go blind if you drink it.

Isopropyl alchol is propan-2-ol, and is much better for cleaning. Tastes better, too.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 02-20-2006, 06:35 AM:

Ethanol will make you go blind if you drink it!

Denatured alcohol is ethanol mixed with acetone and METHanol, thereby rendering it undrinkable.

The problem is, as much as ethanol is good for cleaning things, methanol and acetone, even in small amounts, can destroy plastics. Therefore, don't use denatured alcohol on plastic without testing to see if the stuff attacks the plastic.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-20-2006, 10:30 AM:

Pure (anhydrous) isopropyl alcohol (2-propanol) should be available "behind the counter" from most pharmacies. "Rubbing Alcohol" is usually isopropyl alcohol with water as an impurity (usually 70% or 91% purity are "over the counter" rubbing alcohol).

Methanol or acetone will definitely attack some plastics, including triacetate film base.

Posted by Jason Miller (Member # 2341) on 02-20-2006, 12:22 PM:

quote: Randy Stankey
The problem is, as much as ethanol is good for cleaning things, methanol and acetone, even in small amounts, can destroy plastics. Therefore, don't use denatured alcohol on plastic without testing to see if the stuff attacks the plastic.

but we are talking about cleaning the quartz of lamps here. not plastic. is denatured not allowed to clean lamps?

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 02-20-2006, 12:58 PM:

The issue is that the chemicals used to "denature" ethanol vary. Probably safe for quartz, as long as there is no residue.

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 02-20-2006, 01:59 PM:

quote: Jason Miller

we are talking about cleaning the quartz of lamps here

You are correct. As long as you are cleaning the glass, it's probably okay to use denatured. Just be sure there's no resudue left over. Wipe the glass completely dry. Make sure there's no white, streaky junk left behind.

I mentioned the problem with plastics because there are a lot of people who think if a little of something is good, then a LOT must be better. I've seen people spraying alcohol all over the inside the projector. If they did that with denatured alcohol and the acetone attacked the plastic parts inside the projector, they would be SCREWED!

Just doin' a little C.Y.A. [Wink]

Posted by William Hooper (Member # 71) on 02-21-2006, 02:10 AM:

Isopropyl alcohol may taste better than methanol, but it's still not a recommended beverage. It's oxidized to acetone rather than acetic acid, & causes gastrointestinal bleeding. Drink isopropanol & poop blood.

Posted by System Notices (Member # 2357) on 03-26-2009, 03:58 AM:

It has been 1129 days since the last post.

Posted by Paavo Mardi (Member # 4962) on 03-26-2009, 03:58 AM:

Hello!
Can I use acetone instead of alcohol to clean xenon bulbs?

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 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

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 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.

Posted by John Hawkinson (Member # 1135) on 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

Posted by Tony Bandiera Jr (Member # 2365) on 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.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 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