[SOLVED] Scanner glass cleaning

rnturn · 01-04-2018, 08:58 PM

I didn't see any other posts that address this but please point them out if they already exist.

I have an Epson scanner that over time has developed a slight "haze" on the underside of the glass. You know that haze that gets on the inside of your windshield (or windscreen for you Brits) that comes about from the sun baking the plastic inside your car? It's a little like that. Has anyone tried cleaning that off? It's gotten worse over time and I'm wondering if it's going to start affecting the quality of the scans I make. I suppose one could tweak the brightness/contrast/gamma within The Gimp to compensate but if the Epson can be safely disassembled to gain access to the underside of the glass to allow it to be cleaned I'd consider giving that a shot.

Has anyone else seen this occur and what, if anything, did you do about it? (Short of buying a new scanner, that is.)

TIA for any tips...

--
Rick

_roman_ · 01-04-2018, 10:22 PM

My opinion:

Well I never had the money for a scanner.
Best choice is to use the same fluid you fill in the window car wash tank. No idea what you call it in english. Assuming it is glas. Works well on the inside also in cars.
if it is plastic than it is some different issue. like acrylic

ondoho · 01-05-2018, 03:41 AM

what i'd do:

- dismantle the scanner until i have only the glass.
- clean the class following instructions for cleaning of optical glass (cameras, glasses, scanners...).

onebuck · 01-05-2018, 08:33 AM

Hi,

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnturn

I didn't see any other posts that address this but please point them out if they already exist.

I have an Epson scanner that over time has developed a slight "haze" on the underside of the glass. You know that haze that gets on the inside of your windshield (or windscreen for you Brits) that comes about from the sun baking the plastic inside your car? It's a little like that. Has anyone tried cleaning that off? It's gotten worse over time and I'm wondering if it's going to start affecting the quality of the scans I make. I suppose one could tweak the brightness/contrast/gamma within The Gimp to compensate but if the Epson can be safely disassembled to gain access to the underside of the glass to allow it to be cleaned I'd consider giving that a shot.

Has anyone else seen this occur and what, if anything, did you do about it? (Short of buying a new scanner, that is.)

TIA for any tips...

--
Rick

I suggest that you go to the Epson site for cleaning procedures; From https://files.support.epson.com/html...rf/maint_1.htm

Quote:

Cleaning the Scanner
To keep your scanner operating at its best, you should clean it periodically, as described below.
Unplug the power cord. Clean the outer case with a cloth dampened with mild detergent and water. If the glass of the document table gets dirty, clean it with a soft dry cloth. If the glass is stained with grease or some other hard-to-remove material, use a small amount of glass cleaner and a soft cloth to remove it. Wipe off all remaining liquid. Be sure that there is no dust on the glass of the document table. Dust can cause white spots in your scanned image.
Note:

Wipe the inside of the document cover and the scanner's document table before scanning transparencies.

Wipe the white parts of the 120/220 (6 x 9cm) size transparency holder to clean them if they get dirty.

Caution:

Do not press the glass of the document table with too much force.

Be careful not to scratch or damage the glass of the document table, and do not use a hard or abrasive brush to clean it. A damaged glass surface can decrease the scanning quality.

Never use alcohol, thinner, or corrosive solvent to clean the scanner. These chemicals can damage the scanner components as well as the case.

Be careful not to spill liquid into the scanner mechanism or electronic components. This could permanently damage the mechanism and circuitry.

Do not spray lubricants inside the scanner.

Never open the scanner case.

You can search the Epson site for more information.

Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!

Soadyheid · 01-05-2018, 11:23 AM

onebuck's answer seems to cover it all, I'd use a microfibre cloth something like this. OK, so that's an Amazon UK link (Just like microfibre is the UK spelling!

) Just use the US equivalent.

Play Bonny!

jefro · 01-05-2018, 04:20 PM

A very long time ago I worked on a super high speed copier. Part of the maintenance was to remove that glass and clean it. At one time we had to install a watermark on the underside of the glass too.

For most home uses I'd think a small amount of haze will be no issue. But what your eye sees and what the light/scanner sees can be two different things.

ondoho · 01-06-2018, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebuck

Wipe the white parts of the 120/220 (6 x 9cm) size transparency holder to clean them if they get dirty.

this is an important point.
(talking about copiers now, not scanners. i hope it's close enough)
i have experienced a few times that the dirt seen on a copy was not on the glass, but on the lid with the white underside.
sometimes it would even transfer back on the glass after cleaning the glass.

but op is talking about milkiness on the inside of the scanner...

well, i thought i'd mention that anyhow.

jefro · 01-08-2018, 05:41 PM

For the most part a scanner and a copier work the same for this issue.

The OP can get a test card and use it to see how well it is scanning. Higher end photo place or maybe printing shop or places that sell blueprints ought to have access to these cards. I'd assume they are sold online. Forgot we used to use those cards.

tofino_surfer · 01-15-2018, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Has anyone else seen this occur and what, if anything, did you do about it? (Short of buying a new scanner, that is.)

Have you looked into whether you could buy a replacement glass plate from Epson as a part. Since glass can get scratched and is breakable it should be available as a replacement part if the scanner is not too old. If available it would be cheaper than buying a new scanner.

Have you considered simply using the same fluids used for cleaning monitor screens. Buy a monitor cleaning kit with fluid and a soft microfiber cloth. Even if it doesn't remove the haze it could be used on all of your monitors.

Quote:

Best choice is to use the same fluid you fill in the window car wash tank. No idea what you call it in english

So you want to clean electronic glass with antifreeze windshield washer fluid with ethylene glycol ? No the best choice would be fluid for cleaning a monitor or optical glass and a microfiber cloth.

rnturn · 01-18-2018, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onebuck

I suggest that you go to the Epson site for cleaning procedures;

Sorry for the delay in replying. Thanks for that link. Not those tips will really help. The glass seems to have accumulated this film on the underside of the glass and the last tip/warning not not opening the case would make cleaning it off impossible. I can see easily see opening it might disturb some mechanical part of the scanner rendering the scanner inoperable. I guess I'll keep using it as is and hope that the film doesn't start reducing contrast to where I can't correct it via software. If it lasts a few more years I'll be happy. I might try opening it when I have more disposable cash.

Thanks again.

I'll mark this one as "solved" even though it's really not or can't be fixed.