Issue with heads - prints fade after cleaning

[Joebawca]

Hello, my name is Joseph and this is my first post. I am having an issue with my Roland SP-300V printer. My prints have been recently fading on the black and return to normal after a cleaning. The next day the fading will happen again and would return to normal after a cleaning. After I did a normal cleaning, I performed a test print. Attached is a test print after the most recent cleaning. Does anyone know what the issue might be?

According to my research, it seems to be clogged nozzles and possibly damaged nozzles. Will I need to replace the head?

 

[ChicagoGraphics]

Don't you ever clean your heads?

 

[Joebawca]

Don't you ever clean your heads?

I do the normal cleaning method per the Roland service manual. I clean the four sides surrounding the print heads, I clean around the caps, and I clean the wipers.

 

[J Hill Designs]

how long with the old caps and dampers?

 

[Joebawca]

how long with the old caps and dampers?

About a year. I am unsure what to check for when inspecting the caps and dampers. What I did notice upon inspection of the wipers is that the absorbing material has small perforations like a fork was used to poke holes in it. The wipers are warped a little and had dried ink on them. I cleaned the wipers prior to the issues.

 

[Joebawca]

Cleaning cartridges

I have read on another thread the procedure to clean the nozzles by plugging and soaking the caps. Is it a good idea to use the Roland cleaning cartridges?

 

[Robert M]

Tune it up

change the wiper, the dampers, and the cap tops and go from there.
we have them at www.solventinkjet.com
ask for a pdf of the tech manual with your order.