For best performance it is recommended that you refill prior to running out of ink.
Damage to the print heads could result from running a dry cartridge.


BEFORE
Before you get started here are some suggestions for getting the most from the refilling process while maintaining a clean, usable work area.

1. Work close to or over a sink.  Wear gloves.
2. Place an adequate amount of newspaper over your work area.
3. Have prepared for use a cup of warm water and several paper towels.
   DO NOT touch the print head or contacts.
   

THE REFILL PROCESS

1. Remove cartridge from printer and place into protective cartridge clip.
   
2. This cartridge uses a sponge material to retain ink.  To get to the sponge take the SCREW that came along with the kit and enlarge the vent hole on the top of your Black cartridge.
   
3. Once you have enlarged the vent hole fill your injector with 5 cc's of ink
   
4. Insert the injector into cartridge chamber as show on the image to the right . Insert the injector as far as you can go and then draw back about 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch. Make sure that air can escape while you are injecting ink. 
   
5. Begin to inject ink into the cartridge very slowly.  Remember: you are injecting into a sponge--GO SLOW.  Slide the injector outward at small increments as you inject the ink.  This will allow more of the sponge to quickly become saturated.
   
6. When you see ink begin to bubble at the top of the vent hole stop injecting ink.  Wait a few seconds and slowly remove the injector.  Return any unused ink to its bottle.



7. To clean the injector draw water in and out repeatedly.  A good 8-10 times will do an effective job. For more thorough cleaning remove tip and run both under a faucet.

1. This cartridge uses a sponge material to retain ink.  To get to the sponge you will need to remove the cap of the cartridge.  Two methods are described below
   
2. Using the cartridge diagrams to the right determine which color you wish to refill first. 
   MAKE SURE YOU USE THE CORRECT COLOR CODES FOR YOUR CARTRIDGE.
   
3. Once you are ready fill injector to 5cc
   
4. Insert the injector into cartridge chamber. Insert the injector as far as you can go and then draw back about 1/16th to 1/8th of an inch.  .
   
5. Begin to inject ink into the cartridge very slowly.  Remember: you are injecting into a sponge--GO SLOW.  Slide the injector outward at small increments as you inject the ink.  This will allow more of the sponge to quickly become saturated.
   
6. When you see ink begin to bubble at the top of the vent hole stop injecting ink.  Wait a few seconds and slowly remove the injector.  Return any unused ink to its bottle.
   
7. If you cartridge accepts a complete refill repeat the process using only 2cc of ink
   
8. To clean the injector draw water in and out repeatedly.  A good 8-10 times will do an effective job. For more thorough cleaning remove tip and run both under a faucet.
REPEAT process with remaining colors


AFTER
1. Initially the cartridges may release ink.  This is not uncommon when ink has been quickly injected into sponge .  Allow cartridge to sit in sink or plastic container until it has stopped.  Do not place the cartridge on a paper towel or anything that might draw ink out of the cartridge.  DO NOT install your cartridge until the cartridge has ceased releasing ink.
2. Test your printer.  If you see lines in your print or incomplete print then perform several primer pages as described below.  We recommend 5-6 primer prints, though more many be necessary .
3. Make sure your injector is thoroughly clean and all bottles are properly sealed before storing your kit.
   
TROUBLE SHOOTING
-Air in Sponge
1. Air in the sponge will make the cartridge print intermittently.  To correct this problem, fold a paper towel several times and press against the print head.  Wrap a rubber band around cartridge to hold paper towel in place.  Allow to sit for 15 minutes.  This will wick ink and trapped air out of the sponge.
2. Print primer pages listed below.
   
-Electrical Contacts:
1. If ink is adequately flowing through the print heads when attempting to wick with paper towel but no ink will come through when attempting to print then there is a great possibility that the contacts (the foil circuit board) is worn or damaged.  The only solution for this is a new cartridge.
- Clogged Jets (from cartridge sitting out of the printer or printer not being used for a long time)
Clogged jets are very common with cartridges that have sat for a lengthy period of time without use.
To remedy this;  Place a wet paper towel in the microwave for 20 seconds.  Take your cartridge and place the print head on the paper towel.  DO NOT scrape the cartridge along the towel.  Just allow it to rest on the paper towel for a minute.  Hot water will break up the caked ink and start the capillary action working again. At this point you want to dry the print head by placing cartridge on dry absorbent cloth or towel.


WHAT TO KNOW
Due to nature of the print heads on Lexmark cartridges, it is common that after several refills that the cartridge components become fatigued and cease to function.  There are many factors involved in why the cartridge will fail.  How long it takes is partially up to you.  Here are some guideline to protecting your cartridge and getting the most from it.

1. Never touch the contact points or print head of the cartridge.  Oil from your finger tips will corrode the delicate surface.
2. Clean the contact points with a Q-tip or soft coated cleaning cloth (such as those made for CDs).  Using distilled or filtered water is recommended.
3. Refill the cartridge before it is empty.  HP cartridges use a heating mechanism to dispense ink.  Running a dry cartridge for any length of time can 'burn up' the cartridge.
4. Expect the inevitable:  Cartridges will eventually cease to work.  Have an extra cartridge on hand.  All printer manufacturers recommend this as well.  It is just good practice to keep a new cartridge available at all times
5. Never scrape the contact points or print head area with any type of abrasive material.  This includes paper towels, newspaper…
   
   
PRIMER PAGES
Primer pages can be used to assist in clearing blockage in a print head, or simply for 'priming' the cartridge.  The purpose is to force ink, air and blockage out of the cartridge.
To create primer pages simple follow the instructions below.

1. Black Primer:  Take any painting or draw program and cover the surface of your page with a single large block of black.  The more surface that is covered on the page the better.
2. Color Primer:  Take any paint of draw program and create three blocks running the length of the page.  Make one Cyan  the second Magenta the third Yellow
3. To Use.  Just print the page!  Print as many pages as is necessary to get the ink flowing properly.
4. This is a more effective method than performing routine head cleanings as many printer routines do not fire the jets at one time, but fire in sets. 
   
   
CAP REMOVAL - Color cartridge only
1. To remove the top of the color cartridge simply pry with a sharp knife or razor along the edge where the cap meets the base of the cartridge. (this is not the preferred emthod, only one of the methods)
2. Alternatively you can remove the cap of the cartridge by applying a small amount of acetone (or something with acetone in it) to the area where the cap meets the base of the cartridge.  Wait 2 minutes and then snap the cap off.
3. The third and a preferred method is to place the cartridge BASE into a table vise.  Wrap a pair of pliers around the cap of the cartridge and pry the cap off.
4. Another preferred method is to place the cap of the cartridge into a table vise and using your thumbs apply pressure to the side of the cartridge.

CAP REPLACEMENT

• Place the cartridge cap back into its resting postion on the cartridge.
• Use just a small amount of adhesive tape to keep the cap in place.
• Remeber these are sponge based cartridges and are NOT sealed air tight. You do not require an air tight seal.