8mm Forum: Cleaning film gate

This is topic Cleaning film gate in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009333

Posted by Albert Jacobs (Member # 4350) on July 30, 2014, 09:36 AM:

I have a Chinon 4000GL which has automatic loading. There seems to be no access to the film gate without taking it all apart. Is there a special way to clean the dust out of the gate? I have tried a heavy blower with minimum success. Is there a film that can be run through the gate to clean out the dirt like a head cleaner on VHS?

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on July 30, 2014, 10:42 AM:

Welcome to the forum Albert. When I have trouble getting to the gate...I remove the lens. Then I place a small piece of clean cloth (I like to use cut up pieces of old t-shirts) and wrap it around the end of a long wooden skewer. I spray the cloth with alcohol then feed it in through the lens holder into the frame opening on the gate. If it's really dirty you might also have to remove the lamp and clean it out from the other side too. Replace the lens and lamp and you're set to go.

[ July 31, 2014, 10:00 AM: Message edited by: Janice Glesser ]

Posted by Albert Jacobs (Member # 4350) on August 01, 2014, 02:23 PM:

Thanks Jannice I certainly will try that. It sounds like a wonderful idea, wonder why I didn't think of that. I guess that's what the Forum is all about.

Posted by Jim Schrader (Member # 9) on August 01, 2014, 05:13 PM:

or try a can of compressed air a couple of blasts should remove any stubborn fluffs. [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 01, 2014, 07:57 PM:

or better, do both. Clean and polish the gate with a cotton swab and furniture polish, then blow out any remaining lint or dust with the compressed air spray.

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on August 01, 2014, 08:04 PM:

Paul, for me cotton swabs tend to fray and pieces of cotton get stuck between the metal forming the frame opening. Maybe using the furniture polish prevents this.

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 01, 2014, 10:48 PM:

Janice, I don't use actual cotton swabs like Q-TIPS. Instead I use cosmetic apliques, which are similar, but have a flat and pointed end, and do not seem to fray nearly as much.

Posted by Janice Glesser (Member # 2758) on August 01, 2014, 10:58 PM:

Thanks for the clarification Paul. I'm not sure I've seen those...how about a pic [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on August 04, 2014, 06:47 PM:

Here is a picture of the Cosmetic Applique that I use for film gate and film path cleaning. It is NOT a Q-tip. As you can see one end is pointed and the other end is flat. The flat end is great for cleaning flat surfaces and sound heads, and the pointed end is great for getting into corners and crevices. I usually dampen both ends with Pledge or Favour furniture polish.
The cotton is much more dense than a Q-tip and frays very little, although I still blast the gate with air after wiping it.
These are sold at the cosmetic counter at PUBLIX, about $1.50 for a packet of 100.
I guess they are used by ladies such as Janice to apply eyebrow and other types of makeup.

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2