There is Still lots of Confusion About Canon CLI 42 Refilling

[@bobpal377]

You are the man Jose. I just got a Pro-100 for a net of $52 and I'm trying to learn how to get the best out of it for the least expense per print and you are by far the best resource on the internet. Thanks so much for sharing your great knowledge with us.

[@cheo1949]

Thanks man I really appreciate that!

[@faile486]

I just came from the earlier CLI 42 refilling video, and OMG the sound quality improvement! I can hear so much better now.

[@cheo1949]

I've come a long way.

[@TheOriginalGregToo]

Jose, your videos are so helpful, and packed full of information. Thank you so much for what you do for this community, really appreciate you man.

[@cheo1949]

And I appreciate all of you who watch and support this channel.

[@GonVPN]

thank you so much ! i am getting my first pro 100 this week and all your videos do help a lot. keep up the good work and again thanks :)

[@cheo1949]

Thank you!

[@PaoloMarcelli]

Welcome back friend! :) I've just realized that youtube didn't publish my comment on your last video :c

[@cheo1949]

Which one?

[@PaoloMarcelli]

I just wrote "Welcome back friend, are you doing fine? :3" Yesterday I received and repaired 7 Canon iP90s, all in the same day haha, now I ordered other 6 broken iP90s to be repaired and sold on ebay :) I've also bought 6 OEM T079X cartridges for my PX720WD, I've tested many 3rd party inks (also on Epson paper) but they all faded in 2-3 months, they were all told to be "Very high quality photographic inks" yeah... XD so I bought 6 OEM high capacity for just 40$ :O I've done an ink charge through the adjustment program and I've instantly noticed how better it prints... Yeah I'm obviously not saying that 3rd party inks are always bad, the inks that you use are great of course, but in Italy we don't have so much 3rd party high quality inks sellers and I've realized that buying OEM inks was less expensive than buying inks from gernamy for me Ahaha!

[@cheo1949]

Sounds like your business is really picking up! You will become the local printer repair legend in no time! That is the kind of skill I wish I had.

[@PaoloMarcelli]

If I lived there I'd have told you everything about printers repair :3 I really wish I were from usa :c

[@cheo1949]

Likewise, we could be part of a very successful business.

[@adamcarter8991]

Thank you so much for the time and care you put into these videos - for us photo printer amateurs, they are a treat. I do have a question. In the video, you recommend modifying/filling the CL-42 inks as they run try the first time, doing them basically one at a time from the factory. If I have two sets of ink cartridges already - before even firing up the printer - would you recommend when the first ink runs dry, I swap out all of them and modify the carts for refilling all at once? Then, once my second factory set has a low ink, I do the same thing? You mention every ink replacement fires off a cleaning cycle, and those should be limited as much as possible. I picked up the second set of inks during one of canons free paper promotions (there weren't any empty CL42s on ebay that still had chips - so the new set made sense). Thanks Jose - keep up the great work!

[@cheo1949]

OK so since you already do have two OEM sets then you might as well do what you are suggesting. But remember that as soon as the firs cart form your Setup set is low, remove it and replace it by the complete second set, Now you can modify the first set and refill the first set. If you follow the procedure I show in the flushing videos you will even be able to use the yellow cart. Flush it out completely with Windex until all the yellow ink has been pushed out and the cart is pretty much filled with Windex. Let it sit for an hour or so and full out the Windex with water. If the sponge is white then you are done and you need to dry it as shown in the drying video. If there is a bit of yellow remaining, perform the Windex flush again. and then flush with water. Once it is dry to a weight of under 14 grams, you can refill it with Precisioncolors Yellow ink. Now as you get the first low cart in the second set in the printer, you can replace that set with the one you have modified reset and refilled. Repeat the process on the second set and once those are done now you can cruise along without any worries. DO NOT let them go below LOW!!!! You do not want to begin to draw ink from the sponges.

[@oliviadestandau4243]

Good news. I just went on to Ebay and found many sellers of the empty carts. Won't help at this moment but there are carts available at this moment.

[@cheo1949]

They come and go quickly as they are a rare commodity.

[@horacechincer]

Jose...how are you not yet selling DRILL IT AND FILL IT T-SHIRTS??!!?

[@cheo1949]

Don't know what you mean. Shirts are made via dye sublimation process which requires a dedicated printer with refillable cart loaded with special sublimation inks. It is an entirely different process. Even direct to garment or DTG printing you are using 3rd party special inks. There is not such thing as Epson or Canon sub or DTG inks.

[@horacechincer]

I meant that I thought "Drill It and Fill It" would be a great slogan for t-shirts you could make to publicize your channel.

[@Methodical2]

Very informative video. Thanks

[@cheo1949]

Thank you!

[@tonytfuntek3262]

Quick question....can you utilize the "original set up cartridges" to be reset and refilled ? Thank you

[@cheo1949]

Sure.

[@tonytfuntek3262]

@@cheo1949 Thank you

[@martincregg]

Completely get the process and am doing exactly what you say. I have a curiosity question though: when one cartridge gets low I understand why the chip needs to be reset. However, why do we need to reset the chip on a cartridge that is not completely empty and is going to be topped up?

[@cheo1949]

Because you have to. If you do not the chip will not report the cart you just refilled as full. So if you refill or top off all your carts you also need to reset them to full.

[@martincregg]

I thought that only needed to be done if the low or empty warning had occurred based on that little prism thing you mentioned in one of your videos. Also, when topping up this is not an exact science so to register it as full would not be correct if it was only partially topped up. Just trying to understand.

[@cheo1949]

You can not fool the chip by doing that. The optical prism is there to insure that you the user do not continue to print once the prism is no longer submerged in ink and sees air. Many have tried to fool the chip but all have failed. So just reset it to full when your top off any cart so the chip can accurately report ink content.

[@martincregg]

I'm not trying to fool the chip. Let's look at this a different way: what would happen if I did reset the chip but for some strange reason (like an eye sight issue) I did not top off with enough ink. If resetting indicates a full cartridge then wouldn't create an issue?

[@cheo1949]

Theoretically it would report that it is full but would immediately go to low as soon as the prism sees air. Brian "the hat" moderator of printerknowledge.com has tried that many times. He is the most experienced canon cart refilled probably in the world and he has reported that eventually it will come back to bite you in the but. So again simply reset, fill or top off. Make that a routine and you will never have a problem.

[@rickeycarter]

Do you have a secret for keeping the print head / cart holder in the middle of the printer when you open the lid? I'm not quite fast enough to have all filled before the printer returns the cart holder back to the right side of the printer. I have to go through a power cycle to get the cart holder back accessible.

[@cheo1949]

I will simply go to the right and of course it will complain that a cart is missing. Some people will just let it go to the right, Close the Lid and reopen it when you are ready to reinsert the refilled cart. Obviously not then most ideal situation. Others pull the rear power cord off the printer. This will trigger a cleaning cycle that is bigger than the normal ink purge that takes place after a cart or carts change. The only suggestion though not very helpful I can give is to try to work fast. The best situation of course is to have a second set you can either swop one for one. Modify that one you just took out and save it and repeat till you have all 8 done. Initially you want to modify the carts one at a time as they become LOW. If you have to, pull the plug. You will eventually get so good at modifying that you will be able to do one or two before the head assembly goes back to the running position. I can reset and refill all eight but I've been doing this a quite a while. There is no magic to this, it just takes time to get the hang and the flow of the process.

[@rickeycarter]

Maybe the trick to super speeding fills is to have 8 clips to seal the cartridges. I lose some seconds cleaning some ink out of the clip when moving it between cartridges. I've got my eyes peeled for a new 100 with carts since canon is running the printer give away now. That should be cheaper than buying new carts.

[@cheo1949]

If you are here in the USA you should order one or two carts from canon usa at a time and get tons of free paper in the process.

[@Willtrundle]

Hi mate great video, im in Australia and cant get presion colours, so I'm thinking of getting an ink owl refill kit and just wondering you opion on there refillable carts that i can buy ready to go, cheers

[@cheo1949]

Hello will you need to let me know what printer make and model your thinking about refilling. Preferably an Epson printer as Canon printers are not really good candidates for refilling using third-party cartridges. They are best refilled modifying and using your original cartridges as long as you can reset the electronic chips or buy replacement single-use chips for them.

[@Willtrundle]

Cheers mate thanks for the quick reply, i have a pro 100 so ill modify the originals thanks alot. Just seen you latest video, hope you are okay and stay strong

[@marklamb4707]

Thanks for your videos! I have a PRO-100 and my original ink has its 1st low ink warning (grey). The rest of the carts are low-ish, but not yet at warning. Based on your videos, I have ordered the PCI set with squeeze bottles and resetter. I also have another PRO-100 in a box which I got for $50 net. Should I only fill the low grey cart, or should I reset and fill all the carts (except yellow)? Should I also put in a new yellow cart (from PCI set) at the same time, or should I run the OEM yellow until it is out?

[@cheo1949]

Do one cart at a time until you master the modification of the original carts. No real need to do them all at once, even if you are super fast at it. Take your good time in the beginning.

[@joegardepe73]

When you drill out the little hole in the old ink cartridge doesnt little peices of plastic get into the cartridge

[@cheo1949]

No the helix of the drill bit makes them come up rather than in. An even if you got one little speck inside it would simply float.

[@joegardepe73]

@@cheo1949 thanks, im getting ready to order my first precisioncolors refill kit. Just changed the complete first set as per your recommendation. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

[@KennethWuAU]

Hey José, good news from canon. They are about to release an entry level printer PIXMA G series. It's a self refillable system! I really hope they after their "trial" they will implement it with their PRO series. Wishful thinking, I know. Especially the fact that Epson has their own ecotank refillables, and they have yet to make their Pro printers refillable. Refillables are the way of the future I think, it's better for the environment and is one additional control over ur prints at home. If canon offered OEM refillables for the PRO series, please take my money.

[@cheo1949]

One can only hope. I would love it! We have to live with the ones that currently can be refilled and reset. None of the new ones can. I am going to be testing some new options for the p800 from Hong Kong and I have my fingers crossed.

[@KennethWuAU]

Jose Rodriguez what's the worst it could happen? 😯 Burning the print head? ouch. not my P800!

[@cheo1949]

Actually these are supposed to be "permanent chip" carts which would stay full forever, the other option is single use chips to be used on the current batch of refillable carts using auto reset chips which actually do not reset as expected or as advertised. It will take a few weeks.

[@cruikshank]

When refilling at what point do I need to put my finger over the air breather? Thanks, Dave

[@cheo1949]

I never do that but.... other do. Basically it goes like this. Fill the Liquid Chamber to near top while blocking the vent. Insert the fill plug and then unblock the vent and allow the liquid and sponge chamber to equalize. If the liquid side drops to say, half level, cover the vent once again and remove the plug and re peat so the level is about 75 to 80% from the top. Plug and store till needed with of without taping the vent. The truth is I never do.

[@cruikshank]

thank you, follow up question. i have 2-3 carts that i cant completely fill. No matter what angle i insert the filler needle the ink comes out the top, not goes in the cart. I tried a flow test to see if there was a vapor lock. ink does flow. Ink is about 3/8" from the top. Should I just leave it be? Also how long should I wait until I insert the whole set? Do I put tape or my finger over the breather until I insert them, so they dont leak into the printer? Thanks, again!

[@cheo1949]

Just leave it. I don't get why you are having that problem. Nothing should be blocking in k from entering the liquid chamber. To install just remove the tape if you covered the vent. Otherwise you don't have to do anything except just insert it into the print head carriage.

[@oliviadestandau4243]

I am just looking at the empty carts I purchased for the pro 100. When I opened the package there was a note that said I needed to swap the chips from the original to the new carts. I was under the impression when I bought the set up that they chips were compatible.... but it seems they aren't. I hope this works.

[@cheo1949]

Assuming you are talking about precision colors, you get CLI -8 carts which are physically identical to CLI -42 except form the chips. There are millions of empty CLI -8s out there. There are pretty much no empty CLI -42 carts anywhere. People keep them. If the came already modified and flushed then you are way ahead of the game.

[@oliviadestandau4243]

What do mean by 'modified'? The note said I would have to swap out the chips...

[@oliviadestandau4243]

never mind my question re:modification.

[@cheo1949]

Means to remove the factory fill ball and drilling out the ball seat to accept a new fill plug so you can refill them.

[@ryang6513]

Jose, what ml size syringe do you use to inject windex and do the "liquid pull" at the end to wick away moisture? I wasn't sure so I got the 10ml syringe from PC.

[@cheo1949]

Not large enough. You want something much larger for flushing. At least 20-30 ml. 10ml is very inefficient for this type of job.

[@isabelbeltran-rangel6162]

Where do you buy these clips and all this stuff to fill out ink cartridges?

[@cheo1949]

www.precisioncolors.com

[@cruikshank]

HELP!! First time refilling. I made a mistake and I need to know if I should use the cart. I had already refilled all of my carts and after about 6 hours I went back to top off. All was going well except The PC cart chamber was down maybe 5-10%. I misread the label and topped it off with C instead of PC. Will this corrupt the printer head & lines? Or is the amount so small it may just cause a color shift? Should I drain the chamber & refill? I only have my bottles with their needle tops. I have some syringes at home but no needles. What do you suggest? Thank you for all of your help. PS, like you I now also labeled my bottles with a big magic marker now,

[@cheo1949]

It will cause a small color shift. Your only option would be to flush it but I think you will be ok. One thing you can do is to insert a needle and aspirate most of the ink in the liquid chamber and refill with the proper cyan. So you should not experience any extreme problems with color balance nor any physical problems with the cart or printer. By the way this happens to everyone.

[@cruikshank]

Thank you for your help, after my printer being down for probably at least 4-5 months I've got it back using PC's Pro-100 refill kit. I was able to drain the chamber of my PC cart and properly refill it. I McGyvered a syringe and a clean WD40 spray tube to suck the ink out. Also had a bit of a panic when going to replace the carts. I still had tape over the breathers and was removing the bottom covers with the cart facing down. I have technicolor hands till I reviewed the proper way. Wonderful to see my printer register all full carts. Thanks to you and Mike at Precision Color Ink I can print again and not worry as much about ink cost. Next step I'll unpack and setup my Pro-10. Thank you again for all of your help and this wonderful website. Thanks again, Dave Reading, PA

[@cheo1949]

I am so glad you've been able to get that PRO-100 going. You will love the savings and qualify that you will enjoy. Thanks for support of my channel!

[@alejandromedina2349]

Hi José, I am about to flush and refill. I saw all your videos, but I still have some questions. I have some used cartridges, with their clips for three months. The chamber is empty. Should I flush them, or may just fill them? Also When flushing, should I protect the chips for getting wet? In your videos it seems that you do not. Clean water or distilled water ?

[@cheo1949]

Before you flush them try refilling them. Usually the very first refill even from empty work work just fine. Remember to replace the OEM Yellow one with a flushed CLI-8 from PC and exchange the chip from yours to that one.

[@alejandromedina2349]

Thanks!

[@cheo1949]

Pleasure!

[@Xergiez]

If I've had a used up set of original Canon carts since 2018 (kept with the orange clip), is it necessary to do a flush? And if so, do the chips remain on during the flushing process?

[@cheo1949]

You will know the minute you try to refill. If the cart has pockets of air in the sponge the ink will not flow and infiltrate the sponge. Yellow MUST be flushed and fully dried. The others, you can try to see if they refill without problems. If not them you'll have to flush and dry them.

[@Xergiez]

Jose Rodriguez thanks for keeping up with replies on your old videos!

[@cheo1949]

I try to reply to all comments. Thanks for viewing some of the old stuff. It's all still relevant.

[@alejandromedina2349]

Hi again José, I succesfully prepare cartridges for refilling! But, when I am refilling them, whether empty or flushed, some bubbles begin to form in the chamber as I proceed. i tried going slowly, and the same happens. Is that normal? In some cases the bubbles are at the top, but in others remain in between.

[@cheo1949]

Are you using a needle to inject the ink? Are you inserting the needle deep so it is not above the existing ink levels. You will splash ink and create bubbles. Bubbles can not cross over to the sponge side anyway so don't worry too much.

[@MarcelChassePeche]

So if i understand. I can mix oem cartridges with the cli42 refill with the precesion color ink ? Can i refill oem cartridges almos empty with the PC ink or i need to flush it first

[@cheo1949]

Yes! Fill them when they reach LOW warning and NEVER beyond that. The OEM Yellow cart is replaced with the one they provide you. You switch YOUR YELLOW CHIP onto the replacement cart.

[@SchmingyYT]

Hi - Hope this is the right place for this. I'm now in the middle of the transition between OEM and Precision Colors inks. I've replaced the Light Gray, Gray, Photo Magenta, and, just recently, Yellow. With the first 3, I didn't notice any difference in the print colors; however, after swapping the modified Yellow CLI-8, from PC, with the CLI-42 chip refilled with PC inks, I noticed all my subsequent prints have taken a slightly magenta hue. It's not much, but it is noticeable, especially in light wood tones and light skin tones. Since I'm now half way through moving to refilled cartridges, would this be a normal scenario? I'm just trying to understand if I have a problem or if this is just the way things will be until I'm fully over to the new inks. Also, I did notice that the magenta cast, at least on Photo Glossy II, was worse using the profile for that paper than just having Lightroom set to printer managing colors. Prior to the yellow swap, this didn't happen. Thanks!

[@cheo1949]

Yes. Once you are running on 100% PC then you will need to use the free profiles they offer. Ink sets are balanced as a set. THhe profiles are available in 5 variants. Each designed for a different viewing illumination color temperature. I use the D50 profiles.

[@randallmccrea283]

I just ordered myself a pro 100 today i was just looking at the precision colors website there are so many different options which kit would be best to start out with

[@cheo1949]

Get the 2-4oz with the sqeeze bottles.

[@antoniovelazquezphotograph8134]

hello jose where can I get all these elements to recharge? some company or page.

[@cheo1949]

www.precisioncolors.com

[@antoniovelazquezphotograph8134]

Jose Rodriguez thanks you my friend

[@cheo1949]

You're welcome.

[@davidbcossini8928]

Jose, sorry to bug you my friend but, I am getting a green hue to my prints using custom profiled (with my Colormunki Photo) to my Canon Pro 9500 MK II, my monitor is also profiled using this same CM device, the paper I am using is the Costco Kirkland Professional Glossy photo paper my printer setting is Photo Paper Plus Glossy II, I have checked and double checked everything on the monitor I am not able to see this green hue, and it does not show when I soft proof either, any ideas Jose, from your experience, thank you as always very grateful for your input.

[@davidbcossini8928]

THOMAS ALLAWAY thanks for the reply, how can I get those files or link to try that please?

[@cheo1949]

Do a nozzle check if there is anything missing then you will have to do a clean till that is resolved. If successful then redo the profile. Just curious if you set color matching to NONE when you printed the colormunki patches? Try printing a standard image using Kirkland glossy recommended setting. Do not edit it and see how that tuns out.

[@cheo1949]

It's very dangerous to print on a canon printer when there might be isuficient ink flow problems. The reccomended process is cleaning cycles and nozzle checks. Printing will possibly overheat those nozzles that MAY not be receiving enough Ink to keep them cool!

[@davidbcossini8928]

Thanks for the reply Jose, yes I set color matching to none right before printing the patches, you might be right about the head getting over heated I don't know if you remember but you helped me unclog the head in the past and it was the magenta or red nozzles, I did a cleaning because the red channel was clogged I will try to send a photo of it to you. I'll will now try a deep cleaning cycle.

[@cheo1949]

Are you refilling? If so, make sure those carts are indeed flowing. Let me know if that's the case and I call tell you how to test ink flow. If anything is missing in the red or magenta then the results will be cyan or green cast.

[@briandale3208]

Is there any other high quality ink that you recommend beside the one from Precisioncolors inks?

[@cheo1949]

For canon printers I've only tested precisioncolors. For Epson pigment you have inkjetmall precisioncolors, inkrepublick inkjet carts.

[@briandale3208]

I have the Pro 100. I would give a try to precisioncolors. I also saw a video that you talked about color fading related to the paper. Which paper yo recommend me? I was using cheap paper and in less than a year they are starting to fade. I'm starting in the photography business and I want to give my clients the best of me. Thanks!!

[@cheo1949]

You need to avoid papers that are Resin Coated and without optical brightening agents. That means you will be looking at the better and thus more expensive papers. The lower cost scale is for instance with Red River's Palo Duro papers. There are two types. Then you can move up to Moab, Hahnemuhle, Breathing Colors, and many others. Canon glossy and luster papers are good but they are RC baser and have OBAs and that does not help longevity when using ird party inks. You can also offer spray the resulting prints wit UV protecting sprays made for inkjet prints and that will help tremendously with longevity.

[@briandale3208]

Thanks for the information Jose! My last question to you is, does precisioncolors fixed the issue with the yellow ink?

[@cheo1949]

No. It is still recommended that you either flush the original Yellow with Windex then water and then fill with PC inks OR simply install the chip to the replacement already modified and flushed cart they will provide you.

[@avasquez2491]

Has anyone bought from precision inks before? Is it legit?

[@cheo1949]

You are kidding right? Thousands. Yes it is legit.

[@avasquez2491]

@@cheo1949 thanks. I was just wondering if ordering on the website is secure and safe.

[@mike212916]

I think there's so much confusion because your videos are too long. You seem like a nice guy but i dont have time to watch a 18 minute video. i just want to watch someone do the process from start to finish.

[@cheo1949]

Then people will come back and ask a dozen questions. My videos ARE indeed long and meant to be long. I am trying to be as thorough as possible. This particular subject doe s NOT have a single solution. It is a Variable Set of Solutions and practices that you can either accept and succeed or not accept and likely fail. I can not simply say do this A-B-C-D As there is a lot more to it than step 1-2-3-4 There are a ton of other 2-3 minute videos that frankly leave asking.... huh????