oil film under scanner glass

  • Thread starter Thread starter mmjmm
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mmjmm

My Epson Perfection 2400 has been gradually building up an oil film
under the glass. My 2 previous scanners also did the same. Is this
normal with flatbed scanners and can I get the glass off to clean it?

Thanks
Mike
 
My Epson Perfection 2400 has been gradually building up an oil film
under the glass. My 2 previous scanners also did the same. Is this
normal with flatbed scanners and can I get the glass off to clean it?

Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...

My take on this phenomenon is that it is part of the adhesive formula for
the peelable protective layer that keeps the surfaces scratch free during
production. I assume this since I have no idea as to the production
techniques involved. I know that the glass/plexiglass products ship with
such a paper based facing.

It often appears like a faint oily slick or haze, and accumulates
contaminants from the air, becoming more pronounced over time. I have
never seen a scanner without it, but have not seen any very recent models
at all.

I could not notice any degradation in the scan as a result, but could not
rest until it was cleaned. Followed someones recommendation on technique
posted on usenet.

My 2 cents

Salvatore
 
My Epson Perfection 2400 has been gradually building up an oil film
under the glass. My 2 previous scanners also did the same. Is this
normal with flatbed scanners and can I get the glass off to clean it?
Click to expand...
Yes and a qualified yes.

Yes it is normal - it is outgassing of plasticisers from the case and
other plastic parts of the scanner which is subsequently condensing on
the glass. You will see the same thing on the insides of car
windscreens - much worse these days with so many plastic components than
in old cars. I wouldn't want to scare folks, but remember you are
breathing this stuff all the time and then think about the effect
similar compounds have had on the gender bias of other species!

Yes you can get the glass off to clean it, but you will probably
introduce more dirt and dust in the process than you remove, unless you
have access to a qualified clean room facility. Best to get someone who
has those facilities to do it otherwise.
 
There have been helpful posts about this in the past. You might use Google
to search this newsgroup for the threads. Some decent directions were
posted for how to disassemble the 2450/3200 scanners. You start by taking
out the screws hidden in the holes where the tabs for the lid are inserted.
If you can't find the thread, a summary of the posts are found in the files
section of the 3200 Users Group at Yahoo Groups.

Doug
 
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