Cleaning scnner question

  • Thread starter Thread starter gregf
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gregf

I've been using a Office Depot kit to clean my computers and scanner,
but I notice the my scanner glass is very streaky, no matter how I
clean it or how much or how often. I wipe it with a cloth after
spraying it with the solution and for a couple seconds it looks clear,
then the streaking lines start to show up again right before my eyes.
Is there something better I should be using?
 
I've been using a Office Depot kit to clean my computers and scanner,
but I notice the my scanner glass is very streaky, no matter how I
clean it or how much or how often. I wipe it with a cloth after
spraying it with the solution and for a couple seconds it looks clear,
then the streaking lines start to show up again right before my eyes.
Is there something better I should be using?
Click to expand...

I had the same experience with a variety of "wet" cleaners which is
why I don't use them anymore.

What I do now is simply use a dry microfiber cloth. This removes all
residue. However, you have to get a good one!!! There's a lot of
garbage out there calling itself "microfiber" but it's not. A good
microfiber cloth has a "rubbery" feel to it when you clean the glass.
That's the cloth surface actually "sticking" to the glass as it
removes all the junk.

Finally, a couple of tests to check if the glass is clean:

1. Lift the lid and scan "nothing" in a darkened room. Then brighten
the resulting image in your image editor until it becomes light gray.
Enlarge to 100% and you'll be able to see every scratch, smudge, etc.

2. As the above scan proceeds look at the flatbed glass at eye level
i.e. squat so the glass is at the same height as your eyes. As the
light travels down the glass you'll able to spot all sorts of ugly
stuff. Sort of "preview of coming attractions" before you actually get
the scanned image! ;o)

Don.
 
Where can I get a cloth like that, at places like office max? Or other
computer places, or a photo store?
 
Where can I get a cloth like that, at places like office max? Or other
computer places, or a photo store?
Click to expand...

all sorts of places, but yes probably at office
max, auto stores for cleaning glass, etc.
Surprisingly some baby wipes are microfiber
(others are just a paper product) and work will
for cleaning glass. Of course you have to wash
out the junk that keeps baby's bottom soft and dry
them before using them on glass.
 
Where can I get a cloth like that, at places like office max? Or other
computer places, or a photo store?
Click to expand...

As George mentioned they are available at all sorts of places. A
dedicated photo store is probably the best bet.

The absolutely best micro fiber cloth I picked up was on a trip to
Germany at a photo store over there. I was so impressed I got two! So
when one is in the wash I can use the other.

The brand name is "Hama", the cloth is gray in appearance and comes
with its own, dust proof, plastic container! Very handy! I haven't
seen this brand anywhere else, BTW. The cost was about 5 bucks.

Maybe someone in Germany can throw more light on it?

Don.
 
Don said:
As George mentioned they are available at all sorts of places. A
dedicated photo store is probably the best bet.

The absolutely best micro fiber cloth I picked up was on a trip to
Germany at a photo store over there. I was so impressed I got two! So
when one is in the wash I can use the other.

The brand name is "Hama", the cloth is gray in appearance and comes
with its own, dust proof, plastic container! Very handy! I haven't
seen this brand anywhere else, BTW. The cost was about 5 bucks.

Maybe someone in Germany can throw more light on it?

Don.
Click to expand...

Hi...

If, on the other hand the budget is limited, the best price I've
seen is at the impulse (beside the checkout) stand at Walmart.
Less than a dollar (cdn) each.

Even better, if you have time to flip through the packages, they
come in several different pastel colours, making it easy to keep
track of which ones are fresh, and which are ready for rinsing. :)

Just as an aside, after rinsing they can be stored nicely in
those little zipper sandwich bags. Toss one or two in your
camera bag, too.

Take care.

Ken
 
I think I picked up a Hama cloth at a camera store in Ireland. I do
remember them making other photo products that were sold here. Maybe
it's worth ordering them online as the dust thing is really bothering
me on my film scanner.

Does it help to put a little water on the cloth?

Thanks

R
 
Ken said:
Hi...

If, on the other hand the budget is limited, the best price I've
seen is at the impulse (beside the checkout) stand at Walmart.
Less than a dollar (cdn) each.

Even better, if you have time to flip through the packages, they
come in several different pastel colours, making it easy to keep
track of which ones are fresh, and which are ready for rinsing. :)

Just as an aside, after rinsing they can be stored nicely in
those little zipper sandwich bags. Toss one or two in your
camera bag, too.

Take care.

Ken
Click to expand...
I'll have to check out Walmart for those cloths.

Speaking of zipper sandwich bags, I use one for my
Nikon 4300. In my case, I am in the arid west,
often looking for rocks or near rock diggers, with
a lot of fine dirt about and in the wind. The
sandwich bags provide superior protection from
dust compared to a regular camera case. Probably
most point and shoot cameras will easily fit in
one and certainly in a freezer bag.
 
I think I picked up a Hama cloth at a camera store in Ireland. I do
remember them making other photo products that were sold here.
Click to expand...

That's right. The store I was at in Germany had the whole product
range.
Maybe
it's worth ordering them online as the dust thing is really bothering
me on my film scanner.
Click to expand...

Me too! It just drives me nuts! Even after vacuuming (which I do
before *each* scanning session!) there's dust floating around,
particularly visible when the sun shines in. Actually, I usually have
to wait for the dust to settle before I start to scan.

One thing I haven't done yet is get an "Ionic Air Purifier". These
gizmos are supposed to constantly recycle the air and remove any
particles. It's the closest we can come to a "clean room" environment
in a home. They can be relatively pricey, though.
Does it help to put a little water on the cloth?
Click to expand...

I personally don't use any wet cleaners anymore, as I mentioned.

I think it may be a good idea to do one last and thorough wet clean to
remove any crusty dirt and residue from previous cleanings. Then use
the micro fiber cloth to remove any remaining "fog" this leaves.

After that using a good micro fiber cloth regularly should prevent any
future dirt build-up. At least that's my experience and the last time
I "wet cleaned" my flatbed was about a year ago.

I also use the same cloth to remove dust and dirt from photographs
(both sides!) before putting them on the glass. Finally, every now and
then, you need to clean the underside of the glass to remove the
evaporation from electronic components. I do this every couple of
weeks of daily scanning but this frequency depends on usage.

Don.
 
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