How do you run a print head cleaning?

Print head cleaning. I've just emptied 4 new cartridges running head cleaner....?

• ... and I still get rubbish printouts. It's an Epson C66 which has worked fine for years but goes for weeks without use. Is there any way I can clean the heads without wasting SO MUCH expensive ink?

• Answer:

  EPSON have a "print head" that is no part of the ink cartridge so just "cleaning" buy using the maintenance app in the software, often will not do the job. Some of your nozzles are clogged. this often happens when you do not use your printer for a while or you use the wrong ink, Room temp can also effect it. you may get away with putting a soft thin pad soaked in alcohol between the ink head and roller to soften the sticky ink. If that doesn't work, take a deep breath and disassemble your printer so you can get at the print head nozzles. The print head runs on a bar but you don't have to remove it from that bar, just get it so you can pick the head up for enough to clean the head and drain any ink from the reservoirs. Make sure you drain the ink and dry it thoroughly as the next step could be a disaster! Using a can of air CAREFULLY place the tip on each of the reservoir holes on the print head (were the ink goes in) and GENTLY shoot some air. You should notice ink and bubbles coming from the nozzles. It may look like the head is bleeding as the nozzles are so small you really cant see them with the naked eye! I said do this very carefully for a reason..if you don't clean out all the ink in the reservoir and blow air too hard you will find yourself, and everything else, covered with tiny ink spots that will be the devil to clean up! It really isn't a job for the faint of heart or one with no mechanical ability! If you feel you cant do this, take it to a pro.,..or..just get a new printer! as you say its been around for years! Newer printers have better tech. and better software, besides many older printers may not have drivers for the newest OS. Good luck!