Laminators can be extremely easy to use. However, cleaning them can be quite tricky, even dauntingly scary if you haven’t done it before. Why could it be considered scary? There isn’t much damage you can do to yourself, but more than one laminator has been ruined due to improper cleaning. It’s also important to note that cleaning your laminator is crucial. It allows your laminator to last a lot longer, as well as making sure your laminated material comes out as smooth as possible, absent bubbles or creasing. This article will explain how to clean your roll laminator properly, easily preserving it for years and years to come.
First things first: make sure to never try and clean your laminator without first turning off the laminator and giving it time to cool off (about 5-10 minutes). Not only can you accidentally get burned, but it will make it much easier to clean.
The next thing to do is to remove the lamination rolls. Make sure to put the machine in reverse to get all extra lamination out of the machine. Forgetting this step can, unfortunately, can cost you precious time.
Now for the most important part. You’ll most likely be cleaning off burnt film that was a result of leaving on the laminator too long, or turning up the heat too much. Never, never, never use a knife, scissors, or any cutting tool on the Teflon coated boots or the silicon rollers. Too many roll laminators have nicks on the rollers, which will cause creases in your lamination and permanent (yes permanent) damage to the crucial rollers. Also, make sure to not use standard rubbing alcohol, as it can potentially dry out the rubber rollers and cause cracking, again making them useless. Now that you know what pitfalls to avoid, it’s time to clean.
How To Remove Excess Film
Start by warming up the laminator to a mildly warm setting, then turning off the power again. This will heat up the excess just enough to make it much easier to clean. Use a clean cloth to rub off the film, turning the rollers manually as you do so. Another great tool is to use a rubber rejuvenator substance that helps break down the glue for easier removal. You can find more information about the rejuvenator here.
Another smart choice is a laminator cleaning kit, which can be found here. This inexpensive tool is definitely worthwhile, and will save you a lot of time. With this you’ll be able to avoid the indecision of what to use while cleaning the rollers. It includes foam cleaner, non-abrasive pads, and a course-cleaning pad. Use the non-abrasive sponge pad for cleaning off heat shoes and the coarse pad for cleaning the rubber rollers.
How often should you clean your laminator? A good rule of thumb is every roll change. It’s an easy thing to let the build up continue, but if you are consistent in cleaning each time you change the rolls, the process seems much easier. Not only will your end product look crisper, smoother, and more professional, it will preserve your roll laminator for many years to come.
If you are still having trouble cleaning your laminator, or it’s just to the point of desperation, you can always contact our service department at 800-543-5454 x 129. They will be able to coach you through the process, or, if necessary, have you send in the laminator for cleaning. While we are primarily based in Utah, we also have technicians spread throughout the U.S. that can come to your location within 48 hours.
If your laminator is truly beyond the point of no repair, you can find our wide selection of new roll laminators here.
Related posts:
- Should You Purchase A Pouch Or Roll Laminator?
- What’s the Best Laminator for you? Roll or Pouch?
- Banner American Unveils New Easy Lam School Budget Roll Laminator
- GBC Pinnacle 27″ Roll Laminator Review
- Best Laminating Film for Your Roll or Pouch Laminator
Tags: Laminator Cleaning, Laminators, Roll Laminators
This entry was posted on Thursday, May 19th, 2011 at 10:52 am and is filed under Laminators, Tips and Suggestions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.