Scratched Fuser Rollers
Many times you fix a machine and get cleaned up but you know its going to be hard to collect that bill since you are stuck with a fuser roller with some coating worn off, that you have no replacement for. You realize that although you fixed the problem causing the machine to be down, the customer will be happy to remind you of the LINE on his/her copy right around checkwriting time! I personally have run into this many times on printers, faxes and copiers. You want to do your best and leave a clean machine, as well as a fixed one, and that means good copy quality. Well, if you follow this tip you will be happy and so will the customer.
I carry a very basic tool to repair marred fuser rollers, which is a fairly long-term temporary fix. It is called Teflon Tape. Teflon Tape, of the type that plumbers use, is HEAT RESISTANT, SUPER THIN and it is the same material used in many fuser rollers. TEFLON! Just get a roll of teflon tape out. To apply press it on the roller and REVERSE ROLL the roller to wind a section of tape onto it. Be sure to roll it on, so the trailing edge moves away from the copy paper in travel in the nip of the press and hot rollers. This coating actually eliminates the black lines. It is heat proof and durable. Admittedly, it looks a bit strange (the tape is white) but when you explain to the customer that, along with the repair, you did an extra little something for the fuser roller's life and saved them the cost of a new roller. You will be surprised that they will be ever so happy to have saved money and gotten clean copy. You can even arrange to come back, down the road, and install a fuser roller at a later date along with their next service. The Tape is available at most plumbing hardware supply houses. It should cost about 5 bucks for a couple of yards of it. Very economical! Oh...you can also use it for its other purpose; sealing threads in plumbing installations..(grin) I hope this gets a sweat-beaded forehead out of the office and on his or her way quickly!
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