How To Clean A Coil Tattoo Machine

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Cleaning the Tattoo Machine.

Starter Hollow_man
Start date 30 Jul 2012

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im planning to use a clipcord cover and a machine cover (not to mention cling wrapping all things like power supply etc) but i was just wondering how i should clean my machine after the tattoo. do i disasemble it and clean each individual componant? or just give it a wipe over with green soap.
i know the machine itself dosnt come into contact with the clients skin and therefore has very little risk of carrying bbp's but i just want to minimise the risk as much as possible. Sorry if this is a dumb question but ive been looking for a thread on this and cant seem to find one. Thanks in advance. Shaun.

Joined: 13 Jul 2012

Messages: 126

Location: arlington, VA

First Name: david

id suggest wiping it down with cavicide. no need to take your baby apart.

Joined: 5 Jul 2012

Messages: 40

Location: arizona

First Name: frank

I am like you, i use the covers. But in between clients, I do a light wipe down and once a week I tear down my machines
and give a good cleaning to the entire machines.

Joined: 10 Oct 2010

Messages: 1,175

Media: 55

Location: Chelmsford

First Name: Graham

Gender: Male

I have been using alcohol wipes. You can get them from most tatt sites & they are real cheap.

Starter
#5

Ok thanks that help a lot, do you use cavacide too frank? Also I heard that you should wipe down all work surfaces with diluted bleach but some people use dettol, which is best in your opinion? (or do you use something different)
thanks Shaun.

Joined: 24 Jun 2012

Messages: 294

Location: San Diego

First Name: Sam

I personally use MadaCide to wipe machine down with it and work surface, I got it from Tatsoul

Joined: 25 Feb 2011

Messages: 644

Media: 16

Location: Surfleet UK

First Name: colin

i use trigene(called something else now) for surfaces and machine and bleach for floor

Joined: 29 Dec 2010

Messages: 894

Media: 34

Location: uk

First Name: Mark

The machine should be wiped down with an alcohol wipe after every tattoo.

Joined: 25 Feb 2012

Messages: 376

Location: kansas

First Name: mike

i use q tips and a hand sanitizer/madacide mixture and clean every nook and crevice, staying away from any electrical components though due to corrosion issues.

Alcohol wipes ....seriously you have got the right answer...this is the best...!! Madacide is also a good option...!!

Starter
#12

Joined: 28 May 2011

Messages: 730

Location: USA

First Name: TWM

Spray with Lysol and let air dry and then wipe down with an alcohol or antibacterial wipe.

Joined: 11 Jul 2012

Messages: 121

Location: essex

First Name: neil

i got a couple of spray bottles of alcohol which i spray onto paper towels to gice the machines a clean every time

Starter
#15

one more thing, would dettol wipes do the job as im sure there 30% alcohol? or do i need isopropocol (close enough) alcohol and kitchen roll?

Joined: 29 Dec 2010

Messages: 894

Media: 34

Location: uk

First Name: Mark

one more thing, would dettol wipes do the job as im sure there 30% alcohol? or do i need isopropocol (close enough) alcohol and kitchen roll?

No mate...you can get alcohol wipes from a tattoo suppliers.

Joined: 29 Dec 2010

Messages: 894

Media: 34

Location: uk

First Name: Mark

Wd40 works a treat on iron machines
After cleaning of course!!!!

it might make them look nice,but i would not want a tattoo done from a machine that is contaminated with WD40 !!!

Joined: 13 Jul 2012

Messages: 126

Location: arlington, VA

First Name: david

it might make them look nice,but i would not want a tattoo done from a machine that is contaminated with WD40 !!!

lmfao yo not only that but isnt that flammable??? once you hit the pedal BOOM! machine in flames!! ahhh i think not. realistically i doubt thatd happen, but if i ever managed to set my machines on fire i'd probably punch myself in the face. on the related note, i dont think wd40 is ok to be around an open wound, say a TATTOO. sounds like an all around bad idea

Joined: 7 Jul 2012

Messages: 32

Location: West Yorkshire

First Name: LongLegs

Its a must with iron frames, unless you prefer rust :/
spray your machines with it, leave for ten mins then wipe off the excess oil.

Joined: 18 Oct 2010

Messages: 1,164

Media: 6

Location: Somerset

First Name: Patrick

Most of my machines are iron frames and so long as they are dried with a clean piece of kitchen roll after cleaning with alcohol wipes I dont have a rust problem. If the frames are treated EG: painted, powder coated etc they won't rust unless they are continually left in a damp environment. You can also use a hair dryer to dry your machines with if they get wet, as it is difficult to dry them properly without completely stripping them down. I have sent 4 cast iron frames away to be chromed, copper plated, nickel plated and polished to see what looks and works the best. Either of these finishes should make cleaning easier. I'm no expert but I personally wouldn't use WD40 or any oil based cleaner on a tattoo machine. I will post pictures up of the frames when I get them back.

Starter
#22

yeah no offence but i think ill keep my WD40 and m tattoo machine well away from eachover lol

Joined: 29 Dec 2010

Messages: 894

Media: 34

Location: uk

First Name: Mark

Its a must with iron frames, unless you prefer rust :/
spray your machines with it, leave for ten mins then wipe off the excess oil.

As a studio based tattooist,i would not get WD40 anywhere near a machine,to treat an iron frame so as not to rust,(if you want it to look raw)is to have it oil dipped,or blued....using WD40 on a machine is a recipe for disaster......

Joined: 29 Aug 2012

Messages: 423

Location: Paisley

First Name: Jen

Because of my little zoo I use a product called f10 which is a veterinary strength disinfectant, awesome stuff has also done a great job cleaning my pig skins :icon_cheesygrin:

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