Cleaning Windmills and C&P Rollers
I’ve searched all around the forums and can’t seem to find a consensus on what to use to clean my presses.
Here’s what I need to know:
1) What do you suggest using to clean the rollers on my C&P? I was told to use acetone, but this seems like it could damage my rollers.
2) We just bought a Heidelber Windmill and it still has red ink on it from the last job it printed (probably a year ago) What should I use to clean the rubber rollers? What about the metal parts that ink comes in contact with?
3) What kind of oil should I use to keep the Windmill lubed up?
I’m sorry for posting another cleaning question, but like I said I would like to know definitely what to use for my applications.
I’ve attached the only picture I have of Helga so far. You can see all of the red ink. While I was at it I added a couple pictures of our C&P, Omer. I just liked the colors we had on those days.
Thanks team!
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Use mineral spirits to clean the rubber rollers.
Use a conditioner like Putz Pomade to really pull the colors out of the rollers.
Use Mobil DTE Extra Heavy oil on the Windmill.
If mineral spirits will not budge the ink on the rollers (assuming the ink has been there a long time), try a little “easy-off” oven cleaner on the end of the roller to see if it works into the ink film. Scrub a bit with a not-too-coarse Scothbrite type pad, or bristle brush, then rinse immediately with water. This may revitalize the rubber surface for you at the same time. I have done this myself and have not seen problems with the rubber degrading, but would still recommend that you test it at the end of the roller first. If it works well, try on the roller face surface.
I’m not certain what this might do to non-rubber rollers, but it might be worth a try rather than purchase new rollers for your application. Acetone can be very drying, and also would be (at least for me) a last resort.
I have even used this to give new life to gelatin composition rollers and have been able to use rollers which otherwise might have been unfit for use. With the composition rollers, I feel this would be a last resort, as generally water can be very detrimental to the roller material, but I’m just relating what I have found.
If you use the “easy-off” ovcen cleaner, use rubber gloves and wear goggles or glass in case you splash the material.
I would run the press with some Putz Pomade for a while, and then clean with a good quality roller wash. Keep repeating until the rollers are clean.
You can also try Deglaze-It, but they only sell it buy the case.
Another option is to be your very own stimulous package and buy some new rollers.