Polish OPC Drum?

[gr]

I have a Konica mono laser printer with separate OPC drum, which is
supposed to be changed every 20k or so, and is behaving poorly. Since
the drum cost too much, I thought I might be able to experiment and
polish the surface with something like automotive polishing compound, or
jewelers rouge, or other fine polish; thereby bringing fresh material to
the surface. Any idea if this is a valid approach?

 

[Tony]

I have a Konica mono laser printer with separate OPC drum, which is
supposed to be changed every 20k or so, and is behaving poorly. Since
the drum cost too much, I thought I might be able to experiment and
polish the surface with something like automotive polishing compound, or
jewelers rouge, or other fine polish; thereby bringing fresh material to
the surface. Any idea if this is a valid approach?

It will destroy the drum completely unfortunately. The drum has an extremely
thin coating that is easily damaged.
Also, if the fine powder lubricant that is on the drum is removed (no, you
won't be able to see it) then the drum will probably bind and fail.
Most importantly if you work on the drum with any sort of abrasive substance
you can release toxic material, also exposure to light even for a few minutes
will damage the drum further.
See http://alltonercartridges.com/remanufacturing_supplies.htm they sell a
teflon drum reconditioner, I have never used it and have no idea whether it
works, you may wish to give it a go but I doubt it will last long and you
should ask them if you need to lubricate the drum afterwards with their dry
powder lubricant.
Otherwise there is no alternative to replacement.
Tony

 

[Arthur Entlich]

Just a few additions:

1) If you must work on a OPC drum do so in low lighting. As Tony
mentioned light can damage it, but my experience is that low indirect
light hasn't damaged the drums I have worked with.

The drum surface is indeed very thin and I would not try to resurface it
as you suggest. I have seen drums resurfaced, but it usually involved
adding a new surface over the old one.

Although not all, some drums as standard sizes. For instance the drum
used in my HP LJ II is of identical length and diameter to the one used
in my Panasonic KX-P4420. Although the end gears were different, I was
able to order a generic drum for rebuilding LJ II cartridges and install
in into the drum unit of the Panasonic by removing the gears and
replacing them with the ones from the bad Panasonic drum. It was a bit
tricky, but it worked. the drum cost me about $12, the replacement from
Panasonic was over $100. I use that laser printer daily, and the drum
is still going well after several years, and thousands of prints.

Art

 

[Tony]

Thanks Art,
I had forgotten about generic drums. That may well be a solution.
Also, I am inclined to give a strong warning about light, but as you point out
the reality is that several minutes in dim light will not damage the drum.
Tony

 

[gr]

Thanks Art,
I had forgotten about generic drums. That may well be a solution.
Also, I am inclined to give a strong warning about light, but as you point out
the reality is that several minutes in dim light will not damage the drum.
Tony

The teflon drum reconditioner seems to be for polishing the underlying
drum which then needs recoating with the photosensitive film (which may
not be all that hard either).

Anybody use this stuff?
http://www.uninetimaging.com/list/prod.asp?col=6&prodid=501
OPC Drum Coating

 

[Arthur Entlich]

As I read the instructions, this material is both a lubricant for the
drum and a resurfacer containing some of the photosentistive material.
It sounds like it is exactly what you need. It will both resurface the
drum and make it less vulnerable to scratches and it eliminates the need
for the separating powder. If it actually works and doesn't cost your
right arm, it may be worth it.

Art