Color shifts in Canon i550 inkjet are time-dependent

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ray K
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Ray K

All the prints using the Canon inks (BCI3e series) supplied with the
printer, and Canon paper, were beautiful. When it came time to replace
the tanks, I refilled them myself. Color shifts occurred, mainly a
pronounced green cast. I also started using Kodak Soft Gloss paper. So I
couldn't tell if it was the paper or the refill inks. After dozens of
prints playing with various profiles, I still couldn't get consistent
results.

One day, starting with new Canon CYM inks (generic black), I got
excellent results printing on 4x6" Epson Glossy paper. I then started
replacing ink tanks one at a time with my refilled tanks to see if one
in particular was causing the problem. First, replaced the yellow tank;
good colors. Second, went back to the Canon yellow and used the refilled
magenta; good colors. Third, went back to the Canon magenta and used the
refilled cyan. A bizarre thing happened: the left edge of the print (the
end that gets printed first) had good colors, but by the time the right
edge came out, the green cast had returned.

I went back to all Canon inks and the green cast remained. I then
noticed that if I waited a few minutes, the green cast lessened. If I
waited overnight, the first prints the next day had excellent colors;
the green cast was gone.

So the problem seems to be that after an unknown period of use,
something restricts the flow of magenta ink, but after a "rest" period,
normal flow returns. I can't say for sure if the problem was caused by
the refills or something else.

When I returned the printer to a warranty center, of course they didn't
see the problem because the printer had been "resting" for two days.
Maybe they'll have a solution now that I have a better handle on the
problem.

I welcome your comments. (BTW, I had done head-cleaning, including deep,
several times.)
 
magenta; good colors. Third, went back to the Canon magenta and used the
refilled cyan. A bizarre thing happened: the left edge of the print (the
end that gets printed first) had good colors, but by the time the right
edge came out, the green cast had returned.

I went back to all Canon inks and the green cast remained. I then
noticed that if I waited a few minutes, the green cast lessened. If I
waited overnight, the first prints the next day had excellent colors;
the green cast was gone.

So the problem seems to be that after an unknown period of use,
something restricts the flow of magenta ink, but after a "rest" period,
normal flow returns. I can't say for sure if the problem was caused by
the refills or something else.
Click to expand...

Uhm... You do know that the printhead has a bunch of ink in it when you
change cartridges and it takes some time to use up the stuff from the
previous cartridge.

You swapped cartridged and then after a bit you got the miscolouring. You
put the original back and it took some time to get the correct colour back.
There's nothing wrong with your printer. It's your replacement ink that is
bad.
 
Noozer said:
Uhm... You do know that the printhead has a bunch of ink in it when you
change cartridges and it takes some time to use up the stuff from the
previous cartridge.

You swapped cartridged and then after a bit you got the miscolouring. You
put the original back and it took some time to get the correct colour back.
There's nothing wrong with your printer. It's your replacement ink that is
bad.
Click to expand...

Yes, you are exactly right. I found that out after my original post. It
takes around four prints to exhaust ink from the previous tank and start
printing with ink from the new one. It was the magenta tank that caused
the problem. A lot of crud from an unknown source is in the tank. The
2-oz bottle from which I filled the tank looks perfectly clear and free
on any kind of debris.

Thanks,

Ray
 
You swapped cartridged and then after a bit you got the miscolouring.
You
Yes, you are exactly right. I found that out after my original post. It
takes around four prints to exhaust ink from the previous tank and start
printing with ink from the new one. It was the magenta tank that caused
the problem. A lot of crud from an unknown source is in the tank. The
2-oz bottle from which I filled the tank looks perfectly clear and free
on any kind of debris.
Click to expand...

Some inks are incompatible with each other and will cause clotting. (Similar
to what you see when you put lemon juice in milk). It's possible that the
ink in the cartridge is not compatible with the refill ink. Not sure how you
can test unless you can get some ink from the original cartridge.
 
Noozer said:
Some inks are incompatible with each other and will cause clotting. (Similar
to what you see when you put lemon juice in milk). It's possible that the
ink in the cartridge is not compatible with the refill ink. Not sure how you
can test unless you can get some ink from the original cartridge.
Click to expand...

Thanks for bringing that possibility to my attention. I could take a new
Canon tank, drill a small hole at the top of reservoir (to allow air in
so ink can come out; I would have to do this anyway before refilling it)
and collect a small amount of ink at the output. Then, mix a drop or two
of the refill brand and see what happens.

Ray
 
Ray K said:
Thanks for bringing that possibility to my attention. I could take a new
Canon tank, drill a small hole at the top of reservoir (to allow air in
so ink can come out; I would have to do this anyway before refilling it)
and collect a small amount of ink at the output. Then, mix a drop or two
of the refill brand and see what happens.
Click to expand...

There is already a small purge hole in the top of the tank to allow air to
enter as the ink comes out. If there was not, the process would not work as
a vacuum would form in the tank. Perhaps you should just tap the exit whole
(larger) on a piece of glass or something to expel a few drops should you
wish to try this weird science experiment.
 
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