saving blocked screens?

[ericheartsu]

Is there anything i can do to save screens that have locked emulsion on them? i have 1 305 and 2 355 23x31 screens i'd like to try and save if there are any cool tricks.

We use the xenon nova emulsion!

[Frog]

It usually depends on what your (or a frustrated employee's) time is worth.
Even at most state's minimum wage, and the required chemicals, it will probably cost more than a new screen.

That said, with standard plastisol emulsions, I have used an alcohol soak to somewhat soften the locked-in emulsion,. to then allow pressure blasting mostly from the squeegee side.

[jvanick]

the Nova emulsion (especially with Diazo) is some tough stuff to get out even normally.

have you tried leaving it in a dip tank over night, maybe scuffing it up in the morning with a pad, and then putting it back in for another 12 hours or so?

-J

[Sbrem]

Having been there more than once, I would also change the fabric. Of course, that's not a big deal to us, we have the equipment and mesh, and is a big deal to others who may have to buy stretched screens. But how many hours are you willing to spend is the question here... good luck with it though, whatever you decide.

Steve

[chubsetc]

Be careful with putting screens in the dip tank overnight, I have done so with a stubborn screen and it neutralized my dip tank solution, buying a few new screens or remeshing a few rollers is much less expensive than new solution.

[TCT]

Be careful with putting screens in the dip tank overnight, I have done so with a stubborn screen and it neutralized my dip tank solution, buying a few new screens or remeshing a few rollers is much less expensive than new solution.

It is incredible how true this is. I never really gave any thought to how the dip solution works, we just added screens as they were done. Since we started waiting to put them in till cleaning time, it has extended the life of our dip solution by at least double.

[jvanick]

I guess thats why it's taking longer for my reclaims now... oops

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[sweetts]

Never tried it but heard easy off oven cleaner will do the trick, seems harsh to me


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[Frog]

Never tried it but heard easy off oven cleaner will do the trick, seems harsh to me


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That is lye, sodium or potassium hydroxide.
Not that different from the really strong haze removers like Autotype's Auto Haze that could do the trick on small areas, especially when mixed with emulsion remover.
Leave it on for more than five minutes and the mesh tears!
If I were being forced to reclaim a screen with locked in emulsion, I would first try the way less dangerous alcohol.
Can not see adding potential injury, to the already uneconomical inconvenient task.

[sweetts]

What about bleach?


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[Doug B]

  I have had limited success with using spot remover fluid on a rag and with
the gun on smaller tough spots. Again, that is quite expensive if you have to
use a lot of it. Better to re-stretch if it's too large an area.

[3Deep]

I had guy washing screens for me and he hooked the pressure washer up to the hot water side and clean a screen, stuff came right on out, although I wouldn't run it all the time with hot water.

Darryl