Union 4cp inks making reclaiming screen problems

[cbjamel]

I have been using Unions 4cp inks for years all of sudden we are having problems with reclaim. We take beanedoo take ink off no problem, take tape off and start reclaim with cps emulsion remover let sit scrub a little to loosen and hardly nothing. Take Franmar dhaze a starts to loosen but becomes like a gel, messy.... Will finally come off but lots of dhaze and time.

What am I missing.

using:
Emulsion - Poly one coat 2/2 method - post exposed
Reclaim - cps 1:55 diluted
ink remover - Beanedoo
hazer -  Franmar dhaze
degreaser - Kiwo degreaser
Unions std 4 color process inks

Thanks for the input.

Shane Marye
Creations By Ja-Mel
cbjamel at msn.com

[ScreenFoo]

I'm guessing you're not using it with Diazo D?

2/2 is a pretty thick stencil if you're doing process.  Are you sure you're exposing properly initially?   Are you losing dots coating 1/1 or 1/2?
Initial exposure is the first thing I'd look at...  Or going to a dual cure or other emulsion made more for copy resolution over efficiency.

[dirkdiggler]

I use their cmyk aswell and yes it is harder to reclaim the screens, but their cmyk outperforms the competition, something I just deal with.

[GKitson]

I have been using Unions 4cp inks for years all of sudden we are having problems with reclaim. We take beanedoo take ink off no problem, take tape off and start reclaim with cps emulsion remover let sit scrub a little to loosen and hardly nothing. Take Franmar dhaze a starts to loosen but becomes like a gel, messy.... Will finally come off but lots of dhaze and time.

What am I missing.

using:
Emulsion - Poly one coat 2/2 method - post exposed
Reclaim - cps 1:55 diluted
ink remover - Beanedoo
hazer -  Franmar dhaze
degreaser - Kiwo degreaser
Unions std 4 color process inks

Thanks for the input.

Shane Marye
Creations By Ja-Mel
cbjamel at msn.com

You need a real ink geek for this one but we had similar problems a couple of years ago with the Union process inks and it was an underexposure issue that post exposure did not take care of.

Post exposure is a band aid to allow underexposure of fine detail due to poor positives, weak light source, or incorrect emulsiton choice.  I have used polyone coat for years but not on my process stuff, go back to Poly Plus S with diazo to allow bullet prooof exposure and fine detail washout.  Accept the longer diazo exposure time and wide latitude for superior detail and reclaim.

Another issue is some plastizer changes in the Union products, all ink mfgs are dealing with this, that do not like pure photpolymers but that has generally resulted in premature emulsion breakdown on press rather than reclaim issues, that is why you need a real ink geek.  Seems backward to me.

I can relate reclaim problems to under/incomplete exposure first and the second most common reclaimability issue it the use of solvent based hot press ink chemicals such as Spray A Way screen opener.  That stuff can lock up emulsion tighter than Fort Knox.

Keep looking, I almost guarantee it is under exposure or use of an incorrect solvent to remove/clean inks on press or to library on shelf.

~Kitson

[cbjamel]

We had been using Kiwo Poly plus blue. I don't remember problems then so I might have a problem. We did get what I am calling plastersizer on the bottom of a screen. Didn't know what what cause that. Any Ideas?
Thanks,
Shane

[cvreeland]

Call Union. There are a few emulations that the tru-tones chemically bond to. They'll have a list of emulsions to avoid. I had this problem crop up back a couple years ago when I was testing new emulsions. They gummed up on the press.

I'm currently using Chromaline UDC2 with no problems whatsoever.