It seems as though the wood handles on squeegees retain ink really well, which can be quite annoying to remove. Why aren't the wood handles clear coated or treated with anything?
If there isn't a good reason, am I going to run into problems if I decide to paint the handles myself?
I belive they do not clear coat it because the wood absorbs the sweat from your hands when you are printing all day.
If the handle is slick - due to clear coat, your hands would slip and you would have to put more energy into holding the squeegee.
__________________ Insanity is when you keep on doing the same things, hoping for different results.
The variety of ink cleaners and cleaning methods used by different printers is why you don't find clear Urethane sealing as a default on classic tear-drop shaped pine or fir wood handles.
Note that some ink "degradents" employ a chem called NMP that will even soften Urethane coatings (also used in paint strippers).
Another issue is any incomplete "sealing" (often the ends of the squeegee handle) permits saturation to occur in isolated areas, and subsequently cannot easily evaporate back out of adjacent areas.
I can't speak for the others, but these are a couple of the reasons why we chose to not offer sealed handles on our custom squeegees.
Hope this removes some mystery.
Keep the odd posts coming.
They're the best!
I saw on a website somewhere that they took 2 1/2" white tape and went around where the blade met the wood. they just stripped off the tape to clean it. I tried masking tape, if you clean right after use, it works. If you don't, like on a black squeegee which I keep black until it get too messy, the tape starts coming off and is more trouble than what it is worth.
I have 16 squeegees that I keep on a rack for each color I use. that makes it easy. It is worth the purchase to cut all the cleaning in between jobs.
I cover the bottom of my squeegees with foil tape (thanks youtees) and it works pretty well. However, I just purchased an aluminum handle squeegee and am trying that out. So far, I like it, and it's easy to clean.
However, I just purchased an aluminum handle squeegee and am trying that out. So far, I like it, and it's easy to clean.
I've always preferred aluminium, but they seem to be a less common choice. I thought maybe people consider them more of an automatic than a manual printing item? I prefer them to wood for manual printing though.
I've always preferred aluminium, but they seem to be a less common choice. I thought maybe people consider them more of an automatic than a manual printing item? I prefer them to wood for manual printing though.
Price is a factor too. Aluminum is about 50% more than wood.
I have an aluminum squeegee and I have never used it because when it arrived it had a gouge in the rubber. Of course the company that I bought it from never responded so it has been sitting in the top of the cabinet unused since 2006. Is there a way to get rid of the gouge?
I mean it is wide too...... it will take away 1/4 or more of the rubber to get it even. Do you think it is worth the trouble?
Price is a factor too. Aluminum is about 50% more than wood.
I suppose there is that. Maybe I'm being naive, but I don't tend to worry about things like that unless the cost is significant though. Squeegees get a lot of use, so whichever you're more comfortable printing with makes sense over what it costs.
Still, a lot of people never look past the cheapest option so that would account for at least some users. Not saying that's the only reason - if you go for a wooden paddle style squeegee I can see how they'd be more comfortable and ergonomic if that's what you're used to. Maybe the problem is just that I started printing with aluminium and wood handles in the same low profile shape, so I find the way you need to hold your hands on the tall wooden style quite strange.
Seems to me they'd give you less control, but be better for RSI.
One of the things I love about aluminium though (whether we're talking a screen frame or a squeegee) is how easy it is to clean. For me at least cleaning is one of the aspects of printing I like to save as much time (and aggravation) on as possible, and I definitely find wood slower to clean (not that it's that bad).
Anyway, I'm rambling. I'm just trying to convey that I think aluminium rocks and is worth considering, but by no means do I believe it's the only valid choice
I don't know what the squeegee you have is like, but most that I've seen are fairly simple to unscrew. You could try unscrewing it and flipping the rubber around. If that doesn't work, you could replace the rubber - it's a shame you'd have to, but at least the handle can still be put to good use.
I don't know what the squeegee you have is like, but most that I've seen are fairly simple to unscrew. You could try unscrewing it and flipping the rubber around. If that doesn't work, you could replace the rubber - it's a shame you'd have to, but at least the handle can still be put to good use.
I thought of that but this one does not have screws it has what looks like rivets holding the rubber in place.
Aluminum squeegees are really easy to clean, definitely a good choice for clean up. As far as wood squeegees go, duct tape works really well, and if you're in a rush, you can just put tape over the old dirty tape, and off you go, with minimal cleaning. I would definitely tape over where the blade meets the handle, especially in wood squeegees, cause it's pretty hard to clean the inside where the blade meets the handle.
__________________ Candy Floss: sweetest textile treats on the planet! www.richandfluffy.com
Why no clear coat on wood squeegees? 
