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Author Topic: Projector cleaning Colter Vaselin Film Handler Posts: 5 From: Buffalo, WY, USA Registered: Jan 2010 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Colter Vaselin Film Handler Posts: 5 From: Buffalo, WY, USA Registered: Jan 2010 posted 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?  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Colter Vaselin Film Handler Posts: 5 From: Buffalo, WY, USA Registered: Jan 2010 posted 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)  |  IP: Logged Kyle Butler Film Handler Posts: 47 From: Belton, TX Registered: Jan 2010 posted 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  |  IP: Logged Ian Parfrey Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1049 From: Imbil Australia 26 deg 27' 42.66" S 152 deg 42' 23.40" E Registered: Feb 2009 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Colter Vaselin Film Handler Posts: 5 From: Buffalo, WY, USA Registered: Jan 2010 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Joshua Waaland Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 800 From: Cleveland, Ohio Registered: Dec 1999 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Colter Vaselin Film Handler Posts: 5 From: Buffalo, WY, USA Registered: Jan 2010 posted 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?  |  IP: Logged Manny Montes Master Film Handler Posts: 270 From: United States Registered: Feb 2010 posted 05-05-2010 08:33 PM                     I use simple green, wipe, then filmguard, then wipe it down with a rag.  |  IP: Logged Marc Hansen Film Handler Posts: 93 From: Seattle, WA, USA Registered: Dec 2000 posted 05-05-2010 09:07 PM                     Don't use compressed air, you can force dirt into places it can cause damage- bearings, bushings, etc.  |  IP: Logged Monte L Fullmer Film God Posts: 8367 From: Nampa, Idaho, USA Registered: Nov 2004 posted 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  |  IP: Logged Michael Voiland Expert Film Handler Posts: 219 From: Naperville, IL US Registered: Aug 2009 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged Mitchell Dvoskin Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1869 From: West Milford, NJ, USA Registered: Jan 2001 posted 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.  |  IP: Logged

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