Some consumers resort to buying new drum units every time they face a printing hitch. They end up wasting funds in the process. In practice, several problems with the drum can be sorted with a thorough cleaning-up.
This guide takes you through a step-by-step guide to approaching the cleaning exercise.
How Does the Printer Drum Unit Get Dirty?
Drum units play a pivotal role in attracting the toner and transferring it onto the paper. Not all toner will land on the paper in the process. Over time, toner particles will accumulate in the drum unit and end up causing havoc. Some toner will even land into the drum unit rollers. This would ultimately affect its productivity.
;When Is It Time to Clean Your Drum Unit?
Let’s say you recently bought a drum unit. You have used it with one or two rounds of the toner cartridge. When you send a print job, it comes out dirty and blurry. Others come with frustrating horizontal lines. A closer look will reveal some black spots on the printed images. ;
That is a classic case of an issue with the drum unit. It’s a candidate for cleaning. There is no point in spending extra dollars when the drum unit can be fixed in a simple process. Follow the following steps to restore your drum unit’s lost glory.
What You Need for A Successful Cleaning Exercise
Here is a list of the supplies you will need for the clean-up:
- Latex Gloves ;– to protect your hands from toner stains.
- Face Mask ;– for protection from inhaling the toner. Toner could quickly get airborne on the slightest disturbance.
- Activated Toner Cloth ;– this is a special cloth that traps toner particles. It’s meant for one-time use, and you’ll dispose it off after the cleaning exercise. If you cannot find a toner cloth, lint-free cloth is the second-best material.
- 99% Pure Isopropyl Alcohol ;– this liquid does not leave residues. Printers are sensitive to moisture, and you need something that evaporates faster. This one will not remain anywhere once you are done with the cleaning exercise.
- Paintbrush ;– to help you strike away the toner powder sticking on the printer surfaces. You need one with soft bristles.
- Cotton Ball ;– regular cotton swaps can get the job done.
- Screwdriver ;– you will need it to unscrew the nuts. You might not need it, depending on your printer model.
- Some old newspapers ;will also help keep the toner from staining your surfaces. You will need to spread them in the working area.
Step-by-step Process to Cleaning the Drum Unit
Follow the following steps to clean the drum unit and restore the quality of your prints.
Step 1: Preparation Stage ;
- Press the power button to shut down your device. It’s also better to disconnect it from the power source.
- Disconnect the cables linking it with your computer.
- Leave your printer to cool down for about 15 minutes. Laser printers get excessively hot while printing. You risk sustaining burns if you open inner compartments right after a print job.
- Put some newspapers on a flat surface. This is where you will put parts such as nuts and bolts when you start the procedure. Using newspapers will prevent toner stains.
- Put on a face mask and gloves to prevent exposure to the toner powder.
- Leave the windows open to improve ventilation and airflow. This will make it possible for toner powder to escape in case of an accidental spill.
Step 2: Remove the Drum Unit ;
- Open the case and gently remove the cartridge and let it rest on the surface with old newspapers.
- Examine the inner compartments to check how you can remove the drum.
- Twist and remove it if it’s managed by some locking mechanisms.
- Some are locked by rollers, and you will need a flat-head screwdriver. Unscrew the rollers and remove them gently. Refer to the user manual if you don’t understand the process of removing the drum unit. You can find the manuals on the printer website.
- Lift the drum unit gently and ensure that it doesn’t hit any hard edges of the printer. Lay it down on the surface and cover it appropriately. Drum are sensitive to light.
Step 3: Clean the Drum Unit ;
- Get the toner cloth and pull as though you want to stretch it. The toner cloth is equipped with microfibers that attract the toner powder. Pulling it apart will activate these special features. You can resort to lint-free cloth for cleaning if you can’t find the toner cloth. In general, toner cloth is always the best option.
- Use it to wipe loose toner on the exterior section of the drum unit. ;
- Get a cotton ball and moisten it with 99% isopropyl alcohol. Use the moisten ball to clean the toner patches that stick on the drum. Approach the process with care and be gentle.
- Access the printer rollers and gently clean with a toner cloth. You may also use a lint-free cloth.
Step 4: Clean the Corona Wire
- Opening the inside of the drum to access the corona wire is a complicated ordeal. You can open it only if you have the necessary expertise. Otherwise, it’s not necessary to open it as the drum unit is equipped with a cleaning mechanism.
- Slide the green tab back and forth a couple of times. That corona cleaner will help clean and clear the sticking toner.
- Check the corona grid and ensure that there is no toner debris. ;
- Ensure that you keep the cleaner tab at the start position.
Here is a video guide on how to clean the corona wire. The reference is on Brother multifunction printer. The principle is the same for all laser printers.
Step 5: Clean the Printer Interior
- Access the drum unit slot of the printer and clean it. Focus on the corners and crevices and clean using a paintbrush. Ensure to use a brush with soft bristles to avoid harming the printer parts.
- Wipe the surfaces using the toner cloth to absorb all the toner powder particles. Extend the cleaning to walls and floor.
Step 6: Finalizing the Cleaning Exercise
- Once everything is clean, you will need to reinsert the parts back into the printer.
- Gently push the drum unit back into the slot.
- Return the rollers if you have removed them.
- Access the toner cartridge, and wipe it with a toner cloth to absorb some toner on the surface. Finish the clean-up and reinsert it back into the printer.
- Close the printer case and all open doors.
- Gently fold the newspapers that contain toner and put them in the trash can. Seal it to prevent toner leaks.
- Remove the masks and gloves, and you are good to go! You can now use your printer again.
Concluzie
Those are the six practical steps to cleaning the drum unit and Corona Wire. It’s an easy process that doesn’t need a qualified technician. You can even finish the whole exercise within one hour.
Are you looking for printer supplies?
Have you tried cleaning the drum unit, but the print quality doesn’t improve? Well, there is a chance that it has exhausted its useful life.
There is not much trouble as you don’t have to buy a new printer. You can quickly get a replacement and keep that print job running. We also have compatible toner cartridges for all the major brands.
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