Ways to reduce static electricity on flatbed scanner glass

Any suggestions for reducing, if not eliminating, the problem of dust
being attracted to the flatbed scanner glass? I have an Epson 4990 and
no matter how well I clean the glass, it doesn't take but a few seconds
before I see dust and fibers gathering on it again. Things I've tried:

1. A small Kinetronics StaticWisk anti-static brush - I actually bought
it to brush photos and slides before scanning (it's only an inch wide),
but have tried on the glass with minimal effectiveness.

2. An Ilford Antistaticum orange cloth - been pretty disappointed in it.
Haven't noticed much if any effect.

3. Wiping the glass with a Pec Pad slightly wetted with distilled water
- found to work the best (I guess the water dissipates the static
buildup), but doesn't last for long.

4. I've tried keeping an air filterer in the room but didn't see a
noticeable improvement (to my great surprise). But then again, I leave
the door to the room open so it's not hermitically sealed like a "clean
room".


Any ideas on better ways?

a. Something like a Swiffer Duster maybe?

b. "Grounding" the scanner? It has the third plug so technically the
scanner is grounded. but would it make sense to attach a wire to a metal
part of the scanner and ground it to a metal part of the desk?

c. Any other suggestions?

Maybe I'm too anal about it. I just hate to see a fiber show up on my
scanned photos. Thanks!

On 17 May 2007 21:23:19 GMT, me <me@here.com> wrote:

>Any suggestions for reducing, if not eliminating, the problem of dust
>being attracted to the flatbed scanner glass? I have an Epson 4990 and
>no matter how well I clean the glass, it doesn't take but a few seconds
>before I see dust and fibers gathering on it again. Things I've tried:
>
>1. A small Kinetronics StaticWisk anti-static brush - I actually bought
>it to brush photos and slides before scanning (it's only an inch wide),
>but have tried on the glass with minimal effectiveness.
>
>2. An Ilford Antistaticum orange cloth - been pretty disappointed in it.
>Haven't noticed much if any effect.
>
>3. Wiping the glass with a Pec Pad slightly wetted with distilled water
>- found to work the best (I guess the water dissipates the static
>buildup), but doesn't last for long.
>
>4. I've tried keeping an air filterer in the room but didn't see a
>noticeable improvement (to my great surprise). But then again, I leave
>the door to the room open so it's not hermitically sealed like a "clean
>room".
>
>
>Any ideas on better ways?
>
>a. Something like a Swiffer Duster maybe?
>
>b. "Grounding" the scanner? It has the third plug so technically the
>scanner is grounded. but would it make sense to attach a wire to a metal
>part of the scanner and ground it to a metal part of the desk?
>
>c. Any other suggestions?
>
>Maybe I'm too anal about it. I just hate to see a fiber show up on my
>scanned photos. Thanks!


I don't think that you can prevent that fiber from being drawn to
your scanner's glass. I think that the static charge comes from
lifting the lid covering the glass. My scanner does the same thing,
and I need to constantly clean it with compressed air. I keep one of
those cans of air, that you buy at Staples or Office Depot, handy and
blast the dust off every few scans.
When the fiber is visible in a scan, I just Photoshop it out.

Talker

Yamaha Extra High Gloss Furniture Polish (polyester non-static Piano
cleaner), works a treat on glass and plastic. I usually use this and an
anti-static dust brush. Without the spray however, I doubt the brush would
work as well attracting lint/dust from the glass.

snip
<me@here.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9933B0E468A3Fmeherecom@63.218.45.254...
> Any suggestions for reducing, if not eliminating, the problem of dust
> being attracted to the flatbed scanner glass? I have an Epson 4990 and
> no matter how well I clean the glass, it doesn't take but a few seconds
> before I see dust and fibers gathering on it again. Things I've tried:
snip

Talker <Talker@thegood.com> wrote in
news:1ris43514vhluptsbid601ch9jnr62ukhe@4ax.com:

> I don't think that you can prevent that fiber from being drawn to
> your scanner's glass. I think that the static charge comes from
> lifting the lid covering the glass. My scanner does the same thing,
> and I need to constantly clean it with compressed air. I keep one of
> those cans of air, that you buy at Staples or Office Depot, handy and
> blast the dust off every few scans.
> When the fiber is visible in a scan, I just Photoshop it out.
>
> Talker
>

My issue with can of compressed air is what else is coming out of the can.
It's hard enough not to be tempted to shake the can before using, but even
when i do remember not to shake it, it still seems to leave a little liquid
residue on the glass. Maybe I just have a bad can.

"JWSM" <bungarribee@iprimus.com.au> wrote in
news:464e9896$1_1@news.iprimus.com.au:

> Yamaha Extra High Gloss Furniture Polish (polyester non-static Piano
> cleaner), works a treat on glass and plastic. I usually use this and
> an anti-static dust brush. Without the spray however, I doubt the
> brush would work as well attracting lint/dust from the glass.

hmmm, I'll have to look into this. Thanks.

raise the humidity in the room/house. THis will help keep the dust out
of the air.

me wrote:
> Any suggestions for reducing, if not eliminating, the problem of dust
> being attracted to the flatbed scanner glass? I have an Epson 4990 and
> no matter how well I clean the glass, it doesn't take but a few seconds
> before I see dust and fibers gathering on it again. Things I've tried:
>
> 1. A small Kinetronics StaticWisk anti-static brush - I actually bought
> it to brush photos and slides before scanning (it's only an inch wide),
> but have tried on the glass with minimal effectiveness.
>
> 2. An Ilford Antistaticum orange cloth - been pretty disappointed in it.
> Haven't noticed much if any effect.
>
> 3. Wiping the glass with a Pec Pad slightly wetted with distilled water
> - found to work the best (I guess the water dissipates the static
> buildup), but doesn't last for long.
>
> 4. I've tried keeping an air filterer in the room but didn't see a
> noticeable improvement (to my great surprise). But then again, I leave
> the door to the room open so it's not hermitically sealed like a "clean
> room".
>
>
> Any ideas on better ways?
>
> a. Something like a Swiffer Duster maybe?
>
> b. "Grounding" the scanner? It has the third plug so technically the
> scanner is grounded. but would it make sense to attach a wire to a metal
> part of the scanner and ground it to a metal part of the desk?
>
> c. Any other suggestions?
>
> Maybe I'm too anal about it. I just hate to see a fiber show up on my
> scanned photos. Thanks!

"JWSM" <bungarribee@iprimus.com.au> wrote in news:464e9896$1_1
@news.iprimus.com.au:

> Yamaha Extra High Gloss Furniture Polish

Even getting past the concern of applying a non-approved chemical treatment
to the glass, apparently the polish has been discontinued:

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/...Detail/0,,CNTI
D%25253D1618%252526CNTYP%25253DPRODUCT,00.html

On 19 May 2007 13:56:14 GMT, me <me@here.com> wrote:

>Talker <Talker@thegood.com> wrote in
>news:1ris43514vhluptsbid601ch9jnr62ukhe@4ax.com :
>
>> I don't think that you can prevent that fiber from being drawn to
>> your scanner's glass. I think that the static charge comes from
>> lifting the lid covering the glass. My scanner does the same thing,
>> and I need to constantly clean it with compressed air. I keep one of
>> those cans of air, that you buy at Staples or Office Depot, handy and
>> blast the dust off every few scans.
>> When the fiber is visible in a scan, I just Photoshop it out.
>>
>> Talker
>>
>
>My issue with can of compressed air is what else is coming out of the can.
>It's hard enough not to be tempted to shake the can before using, but even
>when i do remember not to shake it, it still seems to leave a little liquid
>residue on the glass. Maybe I just have a bad can.


Yes, that happens more frequently with a full can. As the can
empties, the liquid coming out of the can occurs less often.
I know my dust problem is a genetic one....I'm a single male who
doesn't bother to dust more than once every five years or so, whether
the house needs it or not.<g>
The last time I dusted, my brother was coming for a weeklong
visit. I had to buy a new vacuum cleaner, since mine old one was at
least 20 years old and didn't pickup dust anymore. (someone suggested
changing the "bag", whatever that meant.)
When I bought the new vacuum cleaner, they offered to sell me a 3
year warranty with it. I told the salesperson I wasn't interested in
a 3 year warranty because I was going to use the vacuum for the next
three weeks, and after that, I wouldn't need it again for at least
five years, so a 3 year warranty would be over before I useed the
vacuum again.<g>

Talker

On May 17, 5:23 pm, me <m...@here.com> wrote:
> Any suggestions for reducing, if not eliminating, the problem of dust
> being attracted to the flatbed scanner glass? I have an Epson 4990 and
> no matter how well I clean the glass, it doesn't take but a few seconds
> before I see dust and fibers gathering on it again. Things I've tried:
>
> 1. A small Kinetronics StaticWisk anti-static brush - I actually bought
> it to brush photos and slides before scanning (it's only an inch wide),
> but have tried on the glass with minimal effectiveness.
>
> 2. An Ilford Antistaticum orange cloth - been pretty disappointed in it.
> Haven't noticed much if any effect.
>
> 3. Wiping the glass with a Pec Pad slightly wetted with distilled water
> - found to work the best (I guess the water dissipates the static
> buildup), but doesn't last for long.
>
> 4. I've tried keeping an air filterer in the room but didn't see a
> noticeable improvement (to my great surprise). But then again, I leave
> the door to the room open so it's not hermitically sealed like a "clean
> room".
>
> Any ideas on better ways?
>
> a. Something like a Swiffer Duster maybe?
>
> b. "Grounding" the scanner? It has the third plug so technically the
> scanner is grounded. but would it make sense to attach a wire to a metal
> part of the scanner and ground it to a metal part of the desk?
>
> c. Any other suggestions?
>
> Maybe I'm too anal about it. I just hate to see a fiber show up on my
> scanned photos. Thanks!


Spray a glass cleaner on a cloth or good quality paper wipe and clean
the glass. Freon spays (Dust Off etc) increase the static charge.
Increasing your humidity in your room may help too.

Tom

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions! I'll give them all a try. Thanks
again!!