Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Multiplexes...(6+ Proj) How often do you clean your projectors?

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Posted by Andrew Bangs (Member # 4938) on 11-10-2008, 12:51 AM:

I am just curious as to how often cleaning, and to what depth of cleaning, is done at other multiplexes.

We have 10 Projectors and we clean two a day with every other week a deep clean including oiling, and tightening up of various parts. The other two days are left to booth cleaning (mopping, sweeping, Organizing new posters, and taking out the trash) and movie construction and tear down.

Posted by Fred Tucker (Member # 4482) on 11-10-2008, 12:55 AM:

24 plex, film path cleaned every night with alcohol and tooth brush/cuetips/like rags.

Essentially taken apart cleaned & put back together every 6-months.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 11-10-2008, 03:06 AM:

6 plex. As needed, which is not very often. A wipe with a shop rag here and there. I just can't paint my projector or brush its teeth.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-10-2008, 04:15 AM:

At all of the complexes that I worked at, I do the above, yet have a 5gal air compressor with an air gun to blow out the consoles and machines..

Christies are easy to clean since of no oil cleanup to worry about.

I opened up the console with exhaust fan on to aid in extracting the blown dust up the stack.

I've noticed some complexes that have centralized air compression that allows compressed air availability per at each console by moving and attaching the short length of hose via speed connections.

Film-Guard on cue tips helps clean trap bands rather easilly.

Some large circuit booths don't allow alcohol due to flammability and insurance liability reasons.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 11-10-2008, 06:05 AM:

Projector and sound heads always get cleaned before every show, regardless of number.

Oil gets changed every ~4 months or so (three times per year).

Posted by Tyler Potts (Member # 4952) on 11-10-2008, 08:21 AM:

Before I came on it was as needed, then asigned gate & trap cleanings... then as the head of projection was lazy, it wouldn't be enforced and it went to shit. To get out of that we started each projector deep cleaned once a week (14 projectors). I'm changing it now to 1 deep clean a day, sun - thurs and seeing how clean we stay.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-10-2008, 03:44 PM:

Gates cleaned after every session.

Deep clean weekly (or more if time permits).

It only takes 10 seconds to do the gate...I don't want dirt going back on my ads and trailers for no reason.

Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 11-10-2008, 04:15 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
Projector and sound heads always get cleaned before every show, regardless of number.

Finally.... The correct answer

Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-10-2008, 04:31 PM:

When I was in charge of theaters at my old job:

Every projector was supposed to be cleaned each time it is threaded, using a shop rag, paint brush and toothbrush. These items were kept on a small shelf right next to each projector.

Also, each employee was supposed to do a "take apart" cleaning on one projector per shift.

Well, that was what the rules were...
But nobody was asking whether the rules were followed. [Frown]

Now, at Mercyhurst, the projector gets wiped/brushed out each show. Since we use FilmGuard on every single run, we don't have to do much more than that very often at all.

But, when I have a Work Study student who needs to pick up a couple hours I put him in charge of cleaning the projector.

Our projector gets a "take apart" cleaning once every month or so.

(It only gets about 20 - 30 hours of run time per month.)

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-10-2008, 10:34 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
Projector and sound heads always get cleaned before every show

...and obviously, running IMAX film, this is a very crucial and strict procedure.

Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 11-11-2008, 09:17 PM:

quote: Scott Norwood
Projector and sound heads

Monte, Scott isn't referring to IMAX projectors. The don't have soundheads.

It's equally crucial to any film presentation to clean the projectors before every show.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-11-2008, 09:31 PM:

Yea..whoops. forgot to exclude soundheads on the IMAX machine topic...but agree. .. thx Tristan... - Monte

Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 11-13-2008, 01:59 AM:

Monte,

Back in the day.....

I remember working as a projectionist at the local 21. We were all expected to clean the projectors thoroughly before each show. I took pride in knowing that the projectors were clean. Years later, I returned as the technician for the theater and was pleased to see that absolutely nothing changed in the quality of upkeep on the projectors. Even though you are now working for a different company, I wouldn't see why you couldn't expect the same attention of detail from the theaters you oversee.

Routine cleaning is such a crucial part of preserving the presentation.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-13-2008, 03:03 AM:

quote: Tristan Lane
We were all expected to clean the projectors thoroughly before each show.

...and how do I remember you guys with your cleaning procedures up there - you could eat off of those machines in how clean that booth was and everything had to be.

Now, don't really know what's going on up there since you've left.

True, what I oversee is of different stages of cleaning procedures - from below average to caring. But, as mentioned before: when you have managers who are just filling space in doing just a job instead of having a career attitude, their caring attitude is rather on the weak side when it comes to that part of the operation along with the booth clowns seeing the example the manager sets and going along with that same attitude.

And do you think I can convince these hum-drum managers that what I try to convey on what is to be done, taking seriously? Thus, when I visit locations, I, more or less, do what you are mentioning above on absolute cleanliness since no-one else doesn't care.

Sorta a crazy uphill battle for me..but it's keeping my job secure and that is the payoff right now.

-Monte

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-13-2008, 08:03 AM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
At all of the complexes that I worked at, I do the above, yet have a 5gal air compressor with an air gun to blow out the consoles and machines..

Thats a Bozo no-no! The dust only moves to a different part of the room and gets on other sometimes important areas, sending it repeatedly up the stack will lead to early clogging of the squirrel cage vanes in exhaust blowers . Vacuuming out the console, lampouse, or what ever is the preferred but not necessarily easier way to clean.

Mark

Posted by Tyler Potts (Member # 4952) on 11-13-2008, 11:47 AM:

I've used an airhose back when there were really bad cases on choice projectors, and haven't needed it since. I will need it when I go through to blow out all the consoles (power supply fans, lamphouses, etc). I've yet to do is, I'm told by our tech I'll need a full morning to do this to get all at once and successfully clean all the dirt I've spread.

Posted by Andrew Bangs (Member # 4938) on 11-14-2008, 09:57 PM:

Be careful with those fans!!! If you do this please put something in to lock the fan in place while you blow it out other wise you could just blow it. When the fans spin (without power going to them) they can create a charge and send it back to the board if not frying it then doing some form of damage. It's just not good and besides I agree with mark. Blowing things out never really works. Sure you get some dust out but then their is the dust you blow deeper into the machine and sometimes wedge it in making it almost impossible to get out. The other thing is you blow it out... then it settles right back where it was 5 min ago. All you are really doing is exercising the dust.
One last tip if you do still plan to use a compressor is drain any condensation in the tank regularly. Like every 30 min or so. Otherwise you could end up spraying water into your projector and onto all those nice Circuits.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 11-15-2008, 08:44 AM:

I should have made my post simpler... blowing out the dirt only re-locates it to another area of the booth where it can continue to contaminate other important items. Vaccum only while using a paint brush to loosen up the stuff!

Mark

Posted by Aaron Mehocic (Member # 15) on 11-15-2008, 01:13 PM:

I've had a lot of luck using both a compressor and shop vac together. Andrew is correct about the condensation, so be watchful.

In optimum terms I prefer to blow out the lamphouse, heads, and sound racks two or three times per year, but this is not always possible with payroll. April and October are good moths for this so as not to affect early or late shows during the summer or holiday seasons. I change circulator water during these months as well.

The secret to keeping a clean machine is to keep a clean booth. Read it now and believe it later.

Posted by Tyler Potts (Member # 4952) on 11-15-2008, 03:20 PM:

Thanks for the heads up Andrew!

Posted by Eric Robinson (Member # 2966) on 11-17-2008, 10:40 AM:

At our locations:
< 13 projectors: one projector / day gets deep cleaning.
13 or more: two projectors / day get deep cleaning.
This schedule produces favorable results, that is, the projectionists actually do the work. Our previous schedule was overwhelming for the young minimum wage type staff so they did nothing. In conclusion something is way better than nothing.

I used to propogate the use of compressed air but have switched to vacuuming only after reading several posts in film-tech about the downsides. Live and learn.