Screen Maintenance

Dusting and spot-cleaning can ensure that screen performance remains optimum and can preserve the life of your screen.  It is always recommended that you seek guidance from Harkness before attempting to spot-clean a screen, as silver (3D) screens are prone to damage if cleaned incorrectly.

In a clean dust free environment, your Harkness Screen will not require regular cleaning. The high quality materials used in a Harkness screen ensure minimal degradation with time. In reality, there are many sources of dust and dirt in an auditorium that will lead to contamination of the screen surface. It is worthwhile considering reducing or eliminating some sources of contamination so that you will reduce the need for screen cleaning.

These sources may include:

• Air conditioning

• Popcorn Blowers

• Handprints
   

Cleaning Recommendations

Even with efficient management, airborne dust will accumulate on the screen; it is therefore recommended that a Harkness projection screen is cleaned every 6 months using a dry microfibre cloth. 

Equipment needed is:

• 1 x telescopic pole that can reach to the top of the screen

• 1 x Tee piece head 18'' (45cm) wide to hold the microfibre sleeve and cloth

• 1 x microfibre sleeve to cover the tee piece

• 4 x microfibre cloths to wrap and secured around the sleeve

• See addendum for a comprehensive list of recommended equipment
   

dusting Method

Move the masking to its full extents so that you have access to maximum area of the projection screen.

One person will be able to clean a small screen. Harkness Screens recommend two people clean all screens in order to achieve best results.

Person 1 stands at the screen to control the mop head position and to remove dust collected after each cleaning stroke. Person 2 holds the telescopic pole and controls cleaning speed and pressure.

Dusting Instructions

A screen is cleaned by gently wiping the front surface with a clean microfibre cloth using multiple and overlapping vertical strokes.

1. Starting from the centre of the screen, raise the microfibre cloth to the top of the screen. During this movement the cloth is not touching the projection screen.
    

2. Place the microfibre cloth gently against the screen and slowly draw it downwards by walking backwards towards the seats holding the telescopic pole. Ensure only light pressure is exerted between cloth and screen as the head is guided down the screen.
    

3. At the bottom of each stroke, shake the microfibre cloth to remove dust. 
    

4. Raise the microfibre cloth again and at the top of the screen place it at 9” to the right of the last stroke. 
    

5. Repeat this action until you have wiped the right side of the screen.
    

6.  Change to a clean microfibre cloth and returning to the centre, clean the left side of the screen.
    

7. Change to a clean microfibre cloth and repeat cleaning on the right side of the screen and again with a clean microfibre cloth clean the left side of the screen.
    

Additional Notes

• Be aware that speakers are positioned close to the rear of the screen

• Before cleaning a screen, look to see what space there is between screen and speaker

• During cleaning, take care not to push the screen into the speaker where it may become marked.

• The person standing at the bottom of the screen should wear safety goggles and suitable clothing.
   

Addendum

In order to clean screens, Harkness Screens use “Unger” cleaning equipment. 

• 1 x OptiLoc 3 section Telescopic pole

• 1 x Ergotec T-Bar EH450 18” / 45 cm

• 1 x Micro Strip Washer Sleeve N5450 18” / 45cm

• 4 x Microfibre cloth Micro Wipe 4000 Heavy Duty