I have a question regarding screen washing and preparation. I plan on getting a real spray degreaser for future screen washing, but since I don't have one at the moment, I was wondering if I could simply use dish soap to wash off fingerprints and that sort of thing? The screen is brand new, and looks really clean... I just want to do things right the first time and hopefully avoid mistakes. Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you!!! Karolina
I would avoid using dish soap as a screen degreaser. Most dish soaps contain additives that will leave contaminates on your screen (such as Lanolin). Get a good Degreaser Such as Ulano #33 or an Abrader/Degreaser combo like Ulano #23 it will be worth it to you to not skip this step.
Thank you so much... Gosh, I wish we had a supplier in the area. I hate ordering online, because of the shipping costs (don't like waiting either - lol)! Last time I needed to order an item (bug light), the screen printing supplier wanted around $10 for shipping alone! And it took longer than they had promised... Thanks again, you've been very helpful!
Thank you so much... Gosh, I wish we had a supplier in the area. I hate ordering online, because of the shipping costs (don't like waiting either - lol)! Last time I needed to order an item (bug light), the screen printing supplier wanted around $10 for shipping alone! And it took longer than they had promised... Thanks again, you've been very helpful!
No matter how clean it looks, a new screen will still need to be degreased since degreasing isn't done by the manufacturer after the screen is constructed.
I have heard of others using Simply Green as a degreaser. Spray it on, let it sit for a minute, then rinse it off. You can pick some up at your supermarket or drug store.
Next time you need a bug light, go to home depot, walgreens, or target. $2. That's where I get mine and it's probably where your supplier gets theirs.
if you do use simple green (which isn't recommended, as it does leave behind it's own residue) be sure to really dilute it. It comes in a concentrated form, and I wouldn't use it at stronger than 10 to 1 with water.
You've mentioned this before. Where do you live? Until '6' told us he was from Australia, I wasted his time recommending suppliers in the USA.
If you don't want to buy a commercial product to clean mesh, find plain Tri-Sodium Phosphate (TSP), that will not leave behind a nice clean pine/lemon/citrus smell from an OIL!
TSP a relatively inexpensive chemical with mild caustic action used in some laundry detergents, but is not used much anymore because of wastewater contamination, which is not a problem for commercial degreasers.
MESH PREPARATION - Degrease and Neutralize
Old style
1. Wet screen with cold water
2. Scrub both sides of mesh with degreaser.
TSP (trisodium phosphate)
using a nylon brush (wear gloves).
3. Leave for 2-3 minutes
4. Rinse with cold water
5. Neutralize with 4% Acetic Acid - Scrub both sides with a different nylon brush.
6. Leave for 5 minutes
7. Rinse with cold water
8. Vacuum or blot dry. Do not touch with fingers.
9. Fan dry.
New style
1. Wet screen with water at body temperature.
2. Scrub both sides with a liberal amount of degreaser
3. Leave for 2-3 minutes. Work on another screen.
4. Rinse with warm water.
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How are you measuring? Ulano Technical Product Manager - NYC
Thank you so much, I really appreciate your awesome advise! I live in Michigan (Detroit metro area, even though I'm actually from Denmark). I am new at this, and honestly not sure what you mean by measuring - sorry. I wish to learn as much as I can, and hopefully avoid future mistakes. I guess I will have to read some post about measuring - lol! Thanks again and have a great night!
I live in Michigan (Detroit metro area, even though I'm actually from Denmark)
Measuring is in my signature. It is meant to ask people "How are you measuring?" and when you say, "I'm not measuring", that show where you real problem lies. If you don't measure, you can't alter your process and will keep guessing - for years, wasting time guessing.
In the Detroit area you have great distributors in Troy: Desmond Process Supply and Nazdar SourceOne. Even if you live Down River in Wyandotte - that's only 30 miles away, and next day delivery by UPS. Even ONE STOP in Grand Rapids is only one day shipping.
Washing/preparing screen for emulsion... 
Karolina
Re: Washing/preparing screen for emulsion... 
