Having issues with our checkwriter ink

**allieb91** · 07-10-2015, 06:29 PM

So the pads on the rollers (on our 2 lensometers) hadn't been changed in god knows how long, so I changed them. Put the same red checkwriter ink in the well that we've always used. But ever since then, the pins don't want to mark the lens very well, usually takes a couple tries (or pulling back each pin one at a time after the arm is in place to make the dot) and the ink seems more gooey than before. It leaves streaks all over the frame table from strings of ink. Any idea why this is? Is there anything I can do to the ink to make it less gooey?

**rbaker** · 07-10-2015, 07:47 PM

Apparently the ink hasn't been changed in god knows how long. Get yourself a new bottle of ink, replace the pads again and remove and clean the pins. Inspect the pins and if they are funky replace them too. You should be as good as new and can neglect them for years.

**allieb91** · 07-11-2015, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by rbaker

Apparently the ink hasn't been changed in god knows how long. Get yourself a new bottle of ink, replace the pads again and remove and clean the pins. Inspect the pins and if they are funky replace them too. You should be as good as new and can neglect them for years.

I'll have to check if we have any more pads... If not I'll have to convince lab my manager to order more. And I feel like it says fairly new bottle of ink, but I'll check the consistency before I add more. Fingers crossed :/

**MikeAurelius** · 07-11-2015, 07:49 AM

If the ink is gooey, thin it with a couple of drops of denatured alcohol. Be sure to clean out the reservoir where the ink sits.

**rbaker** · 07-11-2015, 09:08 AM

Why screw around to save $1.25. Spring for a new bottle of ink. No muss . . . no fuss.

**allieb91** · 07-11-2015, 11:52 PM

Because I don't get to decide what we do or don't order. And my boss will probably just say it's fine.

**allieb91** · 07-11-2015, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

If the ink is gooey, thin it with a couple of drops of denatured alcohol. Be sure to clean out the reservoir where the ink sits.

Denatured?

**allieb91** · 07-11-2015, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by MikeAurelius

If the ink is gooey, thin it with a couple of drops of denatured alcohol. Be sure to clean out the reservoir where the ink sits.

All we have is isopropanol 99%. Will that help?

**MikeAurelius** · 07-12-2015, 07:46 AM

Yes, that will work. Add a couple of drops, then shake. If its still goopy, repeat as necessary.

The ink is alcohol based, not water, and the alcohol content evaporates over time, especially as the level of ink in the bottle goes down.