What causes filled-in letters
Ink, paper fibers, and dust accumulate in the closed counters of letters such as e, a, o, and 8, so they print as solid blobs.
Tools you need
A stiff nylon brush (an old toothbrush works), a small amount of denatured alcohol or mineral spirits, cotton swabs, and good light.
The process
Brush each slug firmly from several directions. For stubborn buildup, dampen the brush lightly with solvent, never soaking the machine, and brush again. A dab of typewriter cleaning putty pressed onto the slugs also lifts debris.
What to avoid
Never use pins or metal picks that can scratch the type face, and never pour solvent into the segment where it will wash old oil into places it does not belong.
When to call
If letters remain muddy after cleaning, the ribbon may be oversaturated or the platen too hard. Both are quick shop fixes.
Clean type is one of the easiest ways to improve the look of your typing. Our full service includes ultrasonic cleaning of the type when necessary. Related service: Platen and Roller Recovering.