Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Projector cleaning

This is topic Projector cleaning in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Colter Vaselin (Member # 5569) on 05-05-2010, 02:05 AM:

I am currently the main projectionist at my theater for my boss left 4 months ago which made me main projectionist. I have been doing everything fine, but have noticed how dirty the projectors are and would like to clean them before we get all of the main run movies coming up in the next few weeks.

So i would like to know the best way about cleaning out the inside of a projector. does film guard work good?

Responses would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 05-05-2010, 02:16 AM:

Filmguard helps prevent your projectors from getting dirty in the first place when used properly on the film.

I rarely have dirty projectors, so I'll let others chime in with some better methods. However every once in a while I'll have some shedding/flaking or "dust" as it appears on the inside of the projector when the film cleaners are not used by others or we run a print once and never apply any Filmguard at all. I usually just wipe this away with a rag. I make sure to get it all, especially any area that comes in contact with the film or close to it. Be sure to double-check the aperture plate after doing this to make sure no "hairs" from the rag or whatever got caught in it.

Sprockets can be cleaned with a toothbrush. Crest works great but some projectionists prefer Colgate. Personally I use Sensodyne so I can avoid those ice-cream headaches! Don't run the machine when cleaning with a toothbrush, advance it by hand. There is no need to floss.

Posted by Colter Vaselin (Member # 5569) on 05-05-2010, 02:22 AM:

My old boss used compressed air and a wire brush, that i know of. but i need to clean everything. the tech guy that came couple months ago said that WD40 works and doesn't harm anything. I don't know if this is true or not. Ill have to pick up a toothbrush for i can do that, but what kind of cleaning solution is used, if any?

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 05-05-2010, 02:27 AM:

Do NOT use WD40!

If you need to clean the surface itself, any surface cleaner should suffice, but I usually stick with the Windex-type of stuff. A little degreaser could come in handy just as long as you are careful with it. Don't get any on the intermittent.

Posted by Colter Vaselin (Member # 5569) on 05-05-2010, 02:32 AM:

OK good to know. i never really thought it was a good idea, and was wondering why the tech guy used it. So any cleaning solution will clean out the inside of the projector and not hurt anything (set aside that it doesn't get into the intermittent gear)

Posted by Kyle Butler (Member # 5601) on 05-05-2010, 02:49 AM:

While on the topic, I have a question.
Our tech suggested using Electrical contact cleaner to clean all the gunk and oil out of the projectors.
In my experience using it thus far, it has worked great.
Is this something that should be used?

Seems safe if you ask me, but I'm no genius [Big Grin]

Posted by Ian Parfrey (Member # 5122) on 05-05-2010, 02:59 AM:

Ok. What projectors do you run?..and what soundheads?

What type of air con do you have in the booth?..and is it filtered?

Lamps- Carbons or Xenon?

This is handy to know as some makes are more prone to excessive oil leakage than others and these sometimes require specialised cleaning techniques.

Posted by Colter Vaselin (Member # 5569) on 05-05-2010, 03:05 AM:

its 35mm projectors and the band is STRONG, but i don't know much other than that. I don't know what kind of sound head ether. and we have xenon lamps in our projectors.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 05-05-2010, 07:15 PM:

DO NOT use a wire brush, WD-40 or brake cleaner. Brake cleaner is very harsh and can strip the powder coating. The best thing I have ever found for degreasing is Simple Green when it is watered down. It works great and will not harm the finish. A soft tooth brush is also good for cleaning the hard to get stuff.

Posted by Colter Vaselin (Member # 5569) on 05-05-2010, 08:10 PM:

what would be the best way to clean the sprockets? a soft tooth brush and what kind of cleaner?

Posted by Manny Montes (Member # 5639) on 05-05-2010, 08:33 PM:

I use simple green, wipe, then filmguard, then wipe it down with a rag.

Posted by Marc Hansen (Member # 705) on 05-05-2010, 09:07 PM:

Don't use compressed air, you can force dirt into places it can cause damage- bearings, bushings, etc.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 05-06-2010, 03:10 AM:

quote: Marc Hansen
Don't use compressed air, you can force dirt into places it can cause damage- bearings, bushings, etc.

Guess those IMAX people and large "big box" cinema people are doing it wrong with using compressed air then...For it's a common practice to blow out machines at these venues..and I've done it for many years with no problems mentioned above..

quote: Colter Vaselin
what would be the best way to clean the sprockets? a soft tooth brush and what kind of cleaner

"FILM-GUARD!" The Wonder Stuff! Zap a bit on the toothbrush and scrub away. Then, take a rag, zap some FG on it to wipe out the trap and gate assembly in as well all of the sprockets and rollers.

-Monte

Posted by Michael Voiland (Member # 5386) on 05-06-2010, 09:10 AM:

We used normal toothbrushes.
Start at the top work your way down top sprocket gets cleaned then the film gate. Turning the flywheel on the motor clean the intermittent sprocket. Move down get all the sprockets below on all sides. Then get a rag clean the film gate again and then go and hit all the plastic rollers with the rag. Then hit the walls and bottoms of the projectors avoiding the sound head again. Then clean the sound head drum (silver thing) with 1 or 2 q-tips well rotating it with one finger.

Repeat nightly multiplied by how many projectors you have.

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 05-06-2010, 12:52 PM:

Toothbrush for the sprockets.

Q-Tip with some film cleaner for the gate. While I think Film Guard is the best thing since they invented beer, I tend not to use it for cleaning the gate. I prefer a fast evaporating cleaner such as Film Renew.

What used to be called Dow Bathroom Cleaner and is now called Scrubbing Bubbles with a Handi-Wipe or clean cloth for the rest of the projector.

Do NOT use WD-40 or a wire brush. Neither should be in your booth.

Posted by Mike Moreno (Member # 4887) on 05-08-2010, 07:14 PM:

i use compress air to clean the inside and a vacum cleaner at the same time becausei dont want to send the dust to another place. for sprokets i use a regular thoot brush and isopropilic alcohol. with the projector lenses a very soft brush (camel).

Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 05-08-2010, 08:18 PM:

I recommend not using alcohol since it contains water (usually between 9-30% by volume)and will cause rusting of the sprockets over time.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-09-2010, 12:38 AM:

Somebody's never heard of anhydrous alcohol. [Wink]

Posted by Jeremy Weigel (Member # 4208) on 05-09-2010, 02:01 AM:

I have, but I don't know anybody that uses it to do daily cleaning. Most people that use alcohol to clean with buy it at the local super store or drug store which to my knowledge is usually stocked with either 70 or 91% varieties not the 99%. Another reason not to use it is its flammability.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 05-09-2010, 02:14 AM:

quote: Mitchell Dvoskin
Toothbrush for the sprockets.

And never clean sprockets, or any other part of the mech, with the machine running.

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 05-09-2010, 01:25 PM:

quote: Stephen Furley
And never clean sprockets, or any other part of the mech, with the machine running.

Dont want this happening.

Posted by Robert Carnino (Member # 5633) on 05-09-2010, 07:34 PM:

Question..I've been cleaning projectors for 20 years with WD-40, never been to any different from tech or anyone else. Why not use it?

Posted by Ed Alvarado (Member # 2760) on 05-10-2010, 05:01 AM:

geez dude the picture of the jacked up fingers was gross dude thanks for the image now i lost my hunger. and for the last dude ARE YOU CRAZY using WD-40 please tell me your just playing i mean i didnt even finish reading what you said but the minute i read the part where you said 20yrs of WD-40 use i just had to react.

Posted by Sean McKinnon (Member # 612) on 05-10-2010, 11:33 AM:

Wd 40 actually attracts contamenants such as dirt, and dust. It is a water dispondent that helps to prevent rust. many people use it as a lubricant. However, over time it loses it's lubricating property and actually gums up and provides the opposite effect. This is very bad for bearings in particular as it can cause them to seize.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 05-10-2010, 11:47 AM:

quote: Sean McKinnon
It is a water dispondent that helps to prevent rust.

I was trying to figure out what you meant and just wanted to give you an FYI that something being hydrophobic wouldn't be "water despondent" as despondent means "feeling/showing hopelessness and gloom in a way that suggests melancholy/depression" It's not something we would attribute to either WD-40 or water.

Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 05-10-2010, 12:33 PM:

displacement

Posted by Justin Gorka (Member # 3727) on 05-10-2010, 04:32 PM:

we use Bellcote, cotton buds, tooth brushes and elbow grease....anything else is unnecessary!

Posted by Richard Hamilton (Member # 321) on 05-11-2010, 01:25 PM:

I use safety goggles and a pressure washer [Big Grin]

Posted by Edward Havens (Member # 4715) on 05-12-2010, 12:53 PM:

Wait... you're supposed to clean the projectors?