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Refill Instructions

Updated September 9, 1999

Lexmark 12A1990 Photo Cartridge

and others from Compaq, Lexmark, and Xerox

Inks

Theory

The ink in this cartridge is retained because the cartridge has an internal sponge.

Step 1) Put the cartridge on some paper towels in an area where you can tolerate a spill.

Step 2) We must remove the top. Two methods:

  1. Gently clamp the cartridge bottom in a vise or similar device. Grab the top with a large wrench or set of pliers and crack off the top. This will likely break some catridge, but this is generally cosmetic damage.
  2. Lay the cartridge on a solid surface and put the edge of a sharp knife at the intersection of the black and colored catridge. Hit it sharply with a hammer. Then pull off the top.

Step 3) Keeping the cartridge on paper towels, take a syringe bottle and fill it 1/10 to 1/8 full of ink -- about 3-5 ml -- for filling each chamber.

Blot off immediately any hanging drops of ink that come out of the printhead. Otherwise, this ink may migrate back up into a more empty chamber and cause cross-color contamination.

Step 4) Insert the needle fully into the appropriate hole. Inject the ink very S-L-O-W-L-Y and watch until the sponge is saturated. (Some colors will not be empty, so don't expect the sponge to absorb the entire amount.

Step 5) Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other two colors with different syringes.

Step 6) Put the top back on and tape down in place.

Step 7) Set above a paper towel for an hour as a drip precaution. Expect a few drips. It is important that the paper towel not touch the cartridge during this step, since the towel will draw out the ink.

Step 8) For best results, let sit overnight before using.

To Clean the Printhead

  1. Only clean the printhead if you get poor print quality or no print.
  2. Be sure that you don't have an air bubble problem.
  3. Follow the directions in the inkjet manual to run the cleaning routine.
  4. If this doesn't work, take the cartridge to the nearest hot water faucet.
  5. If this doesn't work, soak only the printhead in simmering water for up to 2 hours. You may add up to 50 percent ammonia for really tough clogs.

To Clean Your Sink

The ink is water-soluble. Use plenty of soap and warm water. You may also need to use Comet or a similar cleaner if the stains persist.

To Clean Your Hands

On hands, the best substance to use is Ink Be GoneTM, a specially developed hand cleaner available from Ink Refill R Us Ink Refills. (To place an order, Click Here.)

To Place An Ink Order

You can telephone us at 1- 213-746-9915 (USA Contact in) or 1+ 213- 746 9915. You can also Order Online or by other ways including by Fax, or by Postal Mail, or by EMAIL.
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Contact us at 1- 213- 746 9915 or email us at ink@rankguard.com.
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