Thoughts on Mimaki Print Head Cleaning

[caribmike]

I've had this Mimaki JV33-130 for many years and last had a new print head installed by a technician in 2018. My print head definitely has issues. I've done several overnight soaks but it doesn't seem to improve.

Should I attempt to manually flush the head using the syringe method or just bite the bullet and buy a new head?

I appreciate everyone's opinion and advise!

 

[Solventinkjet]

If you're prepared to get a new head, you might as well try to flush this one. That pattern doesn't look like it will recover very well in my experience but worth a shot.

 

[rvolkers]

I've had this Mimaki JV33-130 for many years and last had a new print head installed by a technician in 2018. My print head definitely has issues. I've done several overnight soaks but it doesn't seem to improve.

Should I attempt to manually flush the head using the syringe method or just bite the bullet and buy a new head?

I appreciate everyone's opinion and advise! View attachment 170961

have who ever installed the head come BACK! - seems to be defective! get a new head!

 

[caribmike]

have who ever installed the head come BACK! - seems to be defective! get a new head!

The issue is that I'm located in the US Virgin Islands and, if I want a technician to come, I have to pay for his airfare, hotel, etc. so its quite expensive.

 

[caribmike]

Has anyone had experience with a "professional" head cleaning service like https://www.globalgarage.com/pages/printhead-cleaning

 

[MikePro]

if you're on the islands, i'd highly recommend you ditch the solvent printer and get into an HP Latex.
I still love Mimaki, and look forward to that being the brand for my first flatbed BUT i have not called a technician for service since we got our first HP latex in ~2006.

edited to add: we did keep our mimaki 160 until around 2015, but I had already taught myself to replace my own printheads via S101 & youtube vids.
its actually not that hard, but there are a LOT of ways to make things worse & spend more $$$ along the way.

 

[Superior_Adam]

have who ever installed the head come BACK! - seems to be defective! get a new head!

The head was installed in 2018 pretty sure there is not a warranty on a head anymore since its 2024