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screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: JackThrasher on September 25, 2014, 02:27:02 PM

Title: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: JackThrasher on September 25, 2014, 02:27:02 PM

What are you using to condition your neoprene blankets on exposure units?

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: bimmridder on September 25, 2014, 03:16:26 PM

I think it's more a matter of keeping them clean versus doing anything to them.

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: tonypep on September 25, 2014, 03:28:27 PM

Some use a second sheet of neo to protect the actual blanket. Any dense black fabric will do and its cheaper to replace when it gets mucked up.

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: mimosatexas on September 25, 2014, 03:35:51 PM

I have 4 5" squares of 3mm neoprene that I place on the corners of the frame before closing the lid and turning on the vacuum.  Other than that, don't let it get too dirty or wet and I have a fan that keeps it from overheating if I'm doing a ton of screens.  There really isn't much to most exposure units...

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: JackThrasher on September 25, 2014, 03:36:06 PM

Ours has a spot on the top that is soft and tacky... Seems to be breaking down for some reason

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: mimosatexas on September 25, 2014, 03:37:50 PM

It there anything environmental that is specific to that spot on the blanket?  Light/heat/moisture/pressure/stress/etc

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: Frog on September 25, 2014, 03:39:13 PM

A lot of it is avoiding the wear from corners of frames. Strategically placed scraps of cloth or neoprene from old blankets can really help.

Your soft and tacky spot sounds like possible chemical contamination. Could your emulsion be less tha completely dry sometimes?

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: JackThrasher on September 25, 2014, 06:51:20 PM

I believe it's our general placement of screens... As for chemical contamination it's hard to judge as we have Four guys running about 100 frames a day... About 33 a piece...

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: Evo on September 25, 2014, 07:02:30 PM

Only thing I've heard is excessive ozone in the shop environment can quickly degrade the neoprene.

Other than that, keep it clean. Some stretchy cloth over the screen helps. Even a couple t-shirts.

Wipe the top with a damp cloth once a week or so to keep dust off it. If you want to go crazy, Armor-All it once a year.

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: Shanarchy on September 26, 2014, 10:11:00 PM

For keeping it clean I throw a contractor bag over the screen to keep the blanket clean. WHen the bag starts to get icky, I toss it.

Title: Re: Exposure Maintenance
Post by: bulldog on September 27, 2014, 05:06:35 PM

Quote from: Shanarchy on September 26, 2014, 10:11:00 PM

For keeping it clean I throw a contractor bag over the screen to keep the blanket clean. WHen the bag starts to get icky, I toss it.

Hmm...that's not a bad idea. I have gotten some ink on my blanket and it pains me.