8mm Forum: Air Duster

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Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on January 27, 2018, 05:04 AM:

For the first time, I am going to try one of those pressurized air duster canisters to clean the projector gate and maybe other parts of the machine.

Before doing so, are there any dangers I need to look out for,please?

Posted by Ricky Daniels (Member # 95) on January 27, 2018, 05:33 AM:

Hi Melvin,
My advice is to ensure your Air Duster canister is of the invertable variety, otherwise you’ll get residue on any optics it comes into contact with...
otherwise I’ve never had an issue and they were used for decades throughout the BBC and ITV Film units 👍
Best,
Rick

Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on January 27, 2018, 05:42 AM:

Melvin
You might like to read a previous discussion on such cans.
http://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=011809#000004

Posted by James Wilson (Member # 4620) on January 27, 2018, 06:16 AM:

Hi Melvin,
As these cans of air are pretty expensive, I bought an air duster from Amazon, search "computer vacuum cleaner" these are around £40
a great saving in the long run, and no chemicals.
Regards,
James.

Posted by Melvin England (Member # 5270) on January 27, 2018, 06:26 AM:

Thank you very much everybody above for your comments. I bought it on a wim in Tesco's the other day. It is of the variety that specifically clean keyboards,printers and photocopiers. There is no mention of "invertable" (thanks,Ricky), so I think I will just stick to using it for what it was designed for. Good job I had the gumption to check with you experts first before diving in!Goodness knows what potential problems I might have created.

James - This one cost £3 !

Maurice - a special thanks to you for directing me to that link.I am very grateful.

.

Posted by Clive Casey (Member # 6202) on January 27, 2018, 06:30 AM:

Hi Melvin, When I worked in the cinema we used the air canisters to clean the film path and the gate and never had any problems. We didn't use them to clean the lens or the optics around the sound head.
Best wishes and good luck.
Clive

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on January 27, 2018, 07:57 AM:

Have to say i use the air canisters and never have any problems. If you shake them you will cover everything in residue. Just dont shake them. Ive used them in conjunction with brushes brushes for a number of years now. I only use them more for under the sprockets than the gates and also for blowing off the dust on the front of the lens. Cheap fellows cans for a few quid.last me a fair while [Wink]

Posted by Rob Young. (Member # 131) on January 27, 2018, 08:39 AM:

[ January 27, 2018, 02:37 PM: Message edited by: Rob Young. ]

Posted by Ricky Daniels (Member # 95) on January 27, 2018, 10:35 AM:

Hi Melvin, again!

This is the type of Air Duster that’s ‘invertable’ ...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AF-Invertible-CFC-free-Non-flammable-SDU200D/dp/B000J6CSBY

See the pictures to get the idea!

Best,
Rick

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on January 27, 2018, 11:14 AM:

Melvin, make sure you remove the lens before blasting air on the front gate. The air pressure is pretty strong and could possibly damage the lens coatings.And never use it for cleaning the lens.
Also, make sure your air can says ' moisture and residue free .

Posted by Mike Blasko (Member # 5867) on January 27, 2018, 01:23 PM:

If inverted, you can also accidentally shoot super cold air/chemicals in the lamp. I did this once on a marc300 and it shot a fireball out of the top.

Since then, I bring a small air compressor.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on January 27, 2018, 01:55 PM:

Mike idea of a very small compressor is a good idea but do remove the lens.

Every 6 months or so I use my old air compressor on the projectors...I should add, there is a regulator and its turned right down, so the air gun just gives a very light blow, and not to close either [Smile]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on January 27, 2018, 03:01 PM:

Holy cow Graham! That looks like a sledgehammer to swat a fly! [Big Grin]

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on January 28, 2018, 04:04 AM:

[Big Grin]

i thought the same, i want to see the size of of the gate brush to go with it [Big Grin]

Posted by Graham Sinden (Member # 431) on January 28, 2018, 04:21 AM:

And don't use an Air Duster to clean a Pathe Webo 9.5 camera. Ive learned the hard way [Frown]

Graham S

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