This thorough, step-by-step guide will detail everything you need to know about the ‘HP printer clean mylar strip’ procedure.
Table of Contents
What is a Mylar Strip?
A mylar strip, often known as an encoder strip, is a transparent, plastic strip that’s located inside the printer. This crucial component helps the printer understand the print head’s position, ensuring that it moves precisely while printing.
Without a clean and properly functioning mylar strip, your printer could suffer from alignment issues, reduced print quality, or even operational failures.
Preparing for the Cleaning
Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to take some preparatory steps. First, ensure that your printer is turned off and disconnected from any power sources to avoid electrical hazards. For cleaning, you will need a few supplies:
Lint-free cloths
Isopropyl alcohol (At least 90% concentration). You can get this MG Chemicals 824 99.9% Isopropyl Alcohol Electronics Cleaner from Amazon for this task.
Soft gloves
Once you have gathered these items, you are ready to start the cleaning process.
Step-by-Step Guide to HP Printer Clean Mylar Strip
In this section, we’ll walk you through the comprehensive, step-by-step process of cleaning the mylar strip in your HP printer. Each step is crucial and has been elaborated for easy understanding.
Open the Printer Lid
Firstly, locate the printer lid, which is usually on the top side of your HP printer. Carefully lift it open. This will expose the printer’s internal components, including the mylar strip and print head.
Opening the lid ensures you have clear visibility and easy access to the area you intend to clean.
Identify the Mylar Strip
Upon lifting the lid, you’ll find various parts inside the printer. The mylar strip is usually a thin, transparent, or semi-transparent strip running horizontally near the print head.
It may have tiny markings or notches that help the printer read its position. Knowing exactly what the mylar strip looks like and where it is situated is crucial to avoid tampering with other printer components accidentally.
Put on Gloves
Before you touch the mylar strip or any internal components of the printer, make sure to put on gloves. Soft, non-abrasive gloves are ideal.
This step is essential because natural oils and dirt from your skin can degrade the quality of the mylar strip, leading to poor print performance. It also adds a layer of safety, protecting you from any ink residue or sharp components inside the printer.
Prepare the Cleaning Solution
For effective cleaning, you’ll need a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol with a concentration of at least 90%. Take the cloth and dampen a corner of it with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol.
The alcohol acts as a solvent that can effectively dissolve any ink splatters, dust, or grime on the mylar strip without causing damage. Do not soak the cloth; you want it damp, not dripping.
Clean the Strip
Hold the dampened cloth gently between your thumb and forefinger, ensuring you have a good grip. Carefully slide the cloth along the length of the mylar strip, from one end to the other.
Move slowly and avoid applying excessive force or pressure, as this can dislodge or even damage the sensitive mylar strip. If your printer model has a manual print head that can be moved, you may need to slide the print head to the side to clean the entire length of the strip.
Once you’ve run the cloth over the strip, examine it for any remaining dirt or ink. If necessary, repeat the cleaning process until the strip is entirely clean.
Check out these other related articles…
HP Printer Clean Up Tool Windows 10: Your Quick Guide
HP 1320 Printer Lines Not Clean: Fixed in 5 Easy Steps
HP Printer Will Print But Won’t Connect for Cleaning [Fixed]
HP Printer Still Bleeding Ink After Cleaning Printhead Several Times
HP 8600 Printer Will Not Clean the Cyan Head: A Complete Fix
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While cleaning the mylar strip is not overly complicated, there are a few pitfalls you should steer clear of:
Using Water: Never use water for cleaning, as it can leave residues or even cause electrical problems.
Touching with Bare Hands: Always use gloves to prevent natural oils or dirt from your hands getting on the strip.
Pulling the Strip: The mylar strip is sensitive; pulling or stretching it could misalign it or break it.
