Hi there,
I'm new at this screenprinting lark and i'm worried i may have wrecked my only two screens as i cannot get the emulsion out of them. I managed to expose and print the images without any trouble but when it came to reomve the emulsion with a concentrated screen wash the emulsion just would not come off.
I have even been down to the local garage and tried using a powerful pressure hose on them but it had literally no effect. The designs were only on the screen for about 3 weeks.
Is there anything i can do/any chemicals i can use to reclaim my screens?
thanks
Posted by Lawsy on December 10, 2007
the emulsion requires emulsion remover. Screen wash is only for cleaning the ink (if we are talking about the same thing)
you can buy a small amount of emulsion remover from a supply house - I use a powder form you add to water - more economical, but you must buy 1 lb, which will last for 1000 screens or more.
directions for emulsion remover;
wet screen both sides
spray or brush on remover and work into both sides - emaulsion should start to melt
let sit BUT DO NOT LET DRY
Wash off with high pressure.
the emulsion should come out.
I then use haze remover to get any bad stains or last bits off - this should be rinsed off the screen with low pressure (no splash back) then hit with high pressure.
Let me know if this helps.
sometimes, emulsion will lock in for a number of reasons - reaction chems, under exposed, old emulsion.
If you can't get it out, do you have a local screen printer or supply house that will clean them professionally? A case of beer works as a good bribe...
Posted by andy MacDougall on December 10, 2007
