Projector cleaning.... who / where???

[Stickman]

I've got two NEC 460k projectors.

The image the're generating is now extremely poor (yellow'ish and not very bright, perhaps 50% of what they used to be like, and definatley got to the point where I can't gig with them now).

I've had them inspected by an NEC supplier (a friend works there), and, they are very badly nicotine / smoke fluid stained (light box, lens and LCD's).

Unfortunaltey my friend can't repair them (would cost more for new parts than the projectors would cost to replace).

Does anybody know of a UK person or company who can clean them for me? (preferably in London / the South of England).

I'm happy to pay for a professional cleaning job as hopefully it will be lot's cheaper than replacing them....


Sticks.

ps. I'm handy with repairing PC's and stuff, but, have never taken anything with lens' / LCD's etc to bits before, therefore don't really want to start dismantling them - hence no DIY solution.

[sleepytom]

professional cleaning is very expensive - your story from the nec dealer sounds like they probably are too dirty to bother with (if they are talking about replacement parts...)

i would take them apart and see what you can do - you should be able to remove a lot of gunk with a cotton bud and some lab alcohol (it is genrally considered a bad idea to clean coated lenses with any solvent - you should take a view on this though as they might be so dirty that the potential damage to the coating would be worth the extra light output)

also consider the bulb hours - (genrally its expected to get 1000hours to half brightness)

[InsideUsAll]

ralph had his two cleaned lately, not sure who by, but you got his number sticks? Worth a try..

[Stickman]

Tom - The dealer is a corporate AV supplier - they don't do cleaning -'cos "we prefer to sell new kit"....:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

the bulbs have done 600 & 750 hours.. (out of 2000 supposedly) but, it's the colour of the image that is the biggest problem.... all the whites have gone yellow and the blues arn't right.... so, don't really want to risk spending another ?310 x 2 on bulbs to be left with the same problem (albeit a brighter one...). but I take your point, thanks.


Dave / Mark (not sure which I-u-A made that post...) I've left Ralph a message - thanks.

Sticks.

[signal55]

hey sticks
i ve got some exp with cleaning and servicing projectors, i recently gutted and serviced all the projectors for work, and the all work really well now, i would be more than happy to do this job for you, pm and let me know.

xdave

[ristuuk]

Stickman,

The yellowing effect is exactly as you said.... smoke damage..

replacing the lamps will make no difference...except a hole in your pocket.

Cleaning is the solution but it can be difficult to get at the panels etc...

[sleepytom]

thats not entirely true - replacing the lamp will make the image brighter but it will still be yellow due to smoke.

conversly simply cleaning the projector without replacing the bulbs will improve the colour and brightness - however to get back to anything aproaching new condition will probably require both cleaning and new bulbs

[Stickman]

Tom - noted, :yep:

[devonmiles]

I let my nec projektors clean by relos gmbh, germany. its just 84 euros for the k series and 125 euros for the vt series. just type relos gmbh in google and you got the adress. really good job but tooks about 4 weeks to return.

[SlinkyTrips]

i had a job a couple of years back servicing projectors, basically here is what we did.
Open up the top of the unit and remove the bulb
Blow out any dust or debris using an air compresor.
Use a small paint brush and flick out any stubborn dust, there is usually heaps stuck on the fans.
Take a vacume cleaner with a small attachment and suck up any left over dust.
Use a cotton bud with isopropal alcohol on it and use it to clean the optical path (all the glass services), always hold it from the other end so you do not put too much preasure and move pieces out of alignment. The iso will break up most of the gunk and wont damage the glass, but if it is really thick it will take a while to remove it all.
Clean all the filters in hot soapy water, dry them and then reassemble the whole thing.

Now if you are still having trouble with the colour try running it with the cover off, you should be able to see some direct light from the bulb, it should be white, if not it may be time to get a new bulb. You can also check the LCD panels by placing card infront of 2 panels so you are only getting the output from one. See how far the colour is off the ideal red , blue or green. The panel may be worn out and not going 100% off, this will give it a bias.

hope this helps
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[matthecat]

hey sticks :)

i just got mine cleaned both lens & lcds

nice bloke in b.right.on... ?45ish

gis a shout if u need