Dip tank (problem)

[mimosatexas]

Cool, I have one laying around too

In an effort to dump as much info into this thread as possible for anyone else using or thinking about using a dip tank, I am going to update with my first impressions and progress.  To preface, I have a 47 gallon tank that holds 10 23x31 statics with room to spare.  I used one 5 gallon of the Easiway Supra, though this equates to a somewhat lower concentration than they suggest. 

First thought: WOAH!!! I just got done with my first 10 screens.  I set a timer for 10 minutes thinking the lower concentration and cold temperature would require longer to work.  I was wrong.  I filled it with a combination of everything from 280 mesh to 110, some hardened, some not, some had been cleaned with 701 before, some had only had ink scraped out.  ALL of them were basically dripping off the screen after 10 minutes.  I was able to fully pressure wash out the stencils on all 10 in about 4 minutes.  The ink degradent aspect of the Supra didn't do much though to be honest.  On the screens I didn't hit with 701 first, they definitely needed a quick scrub after.  I am going to degrease in a moment.  So far, VERY good!  Has already saved me a lot of scrubbing, especially on the 110's that were slow coated 2/2 for my whites

update: Just finished screen #30...

I am kicking myself for not having gotten the tank setup earlier.  Doing 30 screens in less than 2 hours would have been seriously pushing it without the tank, and after this session I am not even tired/sore. 

The only thing I need to figure out now is a stronger/better dehaze/degreaser.  I am using the pink stuff (ICC 858), but I need something that will more effectively get rid of the ghosts from my poly white screens or where emulsion failures with discharge have happened.  The Murakami 700 stuff works to fix those when the normal process doesn't, but if something could handle most of those kinds of stains with a quick scrub and rinse after the tank I would be thrilled.  Any suggestions?

[Evo]

Welcome to 2014!

Suggestion: ditch the Pink Stuff. It's garbage.


Here's my suggestions and my usual method(s):

1) You need about 2-3 more gallons of Supra to your mix. Add Supra, full strength only, little by little as you replenish the tank periodically till your mix is a bit stronger.
2) Remove all non-permanent tape and scrape ALL the ink out of the screens. Leave only a thin film, no goop. The Supra doesn't do much degrade the ink as "detach" it from the screen. The more you pull out before dipping, the better. (less muck to clean up in the washout sink) I use a Hyde 4" putty knife for final ink removal. All screens going to the tank get a last once over with the scraper (and the press ops do a sh!# job, so it's almost always required)
3) I fill the tank with screens, then after 5-10 minutes I pull one from the back/add one to the front as I go along. That way all the screens in the tank will have been soaking for awhile as I go. After a screen is dipped, keep it immersed and soaking until it can be washed out. If Supra dries on the emulsion, kiss the mesh goodbye. It will lock the emulsion permanently.
4) Pull a screen, blast out the emulsion and ink from both sides, then scrub the whole thing with 701 (the mesh AND the frame), and blast it again from both sides. Make sure to clean all ink and stains from the mesh and frame. Hit it right away after you scrub on the 701. If you leave it on,  it may actually set some ink stains a little. If you apply once to heavy ink haze and blast it right away, and there is a light haze left, sometimes hitting it with 701 again and blasting one more time will clear it completely.
5) Flood rinse the screen carefully from both sides
6) Skip the degreaser unless it's brand new mesh. Yes, you read that right. You're welcome.

[Evo]

BTW - get a second tank for clear water developing of burned screens. Pull a screen from the exposure unit, drop it in the tank while you set up the next exposure. Pull the screen out and lightly rinse while the emulsion seems to leap out of open areas of the stencil.

You will be kicking yourself sore over this one.

[farmboygraphics]

Looking to purchase our first dip tank. This seemed like a good thread to bring back to life. Mimosatexas are you still happy with this setup, or would you recommend any changes? Thank you.

[mimosatexas]

I think there is one shop on the forum who did not like using the dip tank.  Everyone else I have talked to LOVES theirs.  I recently tried out a bunch of different methods as an alternative (stack method with differing quantities and chems) and the tank still wrecks them for efficiency and quality of the final reclaimed screen.

I basically follow exactly what Evo posted above.  I use Supra in the tank (now using 6 gallons in my 47 gallon tank, rest water). I card off ink and take off tape on press, rack the dirty screens, then dip, pressure wash, scrub on 701, pressure wash, soft rinse, rack for drying, coat, and that's it.

I'll post pics of my hold down and draining rack for the tank soon.

oh, and post expose dunk tank is the absolute sh!t also.  Would not go back to slow soaking with a hose ever.

[farmboygraphics]

Thanks!