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Topic: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy? (Read 124 times) |
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ShaverS
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Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Thread started on: Oct 20th, 2004, 5:59pm » |
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Is it possible to avoid using the self-cleaning liquid cartridges that accompany the Activator? I haven't bought an Activator yet, but I'm interested in the razor. What holds me back is I would prefer to make my own cleaning solution (alcohol and lemon juice, or some other solution) rather than spend extra money regularly to clean the thing.
Also, any tips on solutions that work well. I've seen posted someplace that Everclear (2/3 cup) plus Lemon Juice (5 capfulls) is a great proxy for what Braun provides to replace the solution used for the Syncro...I'm inclined to simply use rubbing alcohol.
Any advice appreciated.
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Jesse
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #1 on: Oct 20th, 2004, 6:23pm » |
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They made Syncro models eventually without the cleaning base.
Maybe they have cheaper Activator models without one.
Jesse
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healinginfluence
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #2 on: Oct 20th, 2004, 7:59pm » |
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ShaverS
I guess if you are willing to empty the old liquid you could replace it with your own. One of the advantages of the system though is just capping the dirty fluid and throwing it out with no mess. I think you would missing one of the advantages of the system, which is nice.
The Braun fluid does smell of lemon. I like it.
David
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SirWhiskaLot
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #3 on: Oct 21st, 2004, 3:36pm » |
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You don't have to use the Activator base but since a cleaning cartridge costs only $5.50 for 4 to 6 weeks of daily cleanings, why wouldn't someone use it?
Having a clean, sterile razor each day is a huge advantage.
The cleaning cartridge filters out the residue from each wash cycle. This residue is trapped under a fine mesh film in the honey comb base structure. It gets very filthy as time goes on. Even if you completly replaced all the old fluid with new Braun factory fluid, there would still be that intense gunk in there. Sooner or later, the amount of residue would stop the filter and flow process from working.
You might consider pouring some of your home brew cleaning fluid into a small, deep dish and just sticking the razor head inside and switching it on for 60 seconds, then dumping out that fluid. You would still end up spening money on Everclear booze or special ordering 99.9% pure rubbing alcohol since most store brand rubbing alcohol has additives which might inhibit thorough cleaning.
I see the Activator base cleaning station as something to appreciate and use, not try to get around. In fact, I'd like to be able to invoke the longer, deeper Intensive cleaning cycle for the extra level of clean it provides since I use the residue producing Remington Face Saver Powder Stick.
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Victor
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #4 on: Oct 21st, 2004, 9:42pm » |
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You are absolutely right my friend...do not let others shame you who knows who they work for. The cartridges can easily cost $10 and at 10 years which is how long I had my other Braun its $1200 not counting for price increases. So you concern is legitimate. So my advice is to buy it, enjoy it, use ethanol, buy a new cartridge once in a while if the old one looks nasty and do not pander to corporate greed.
Most of us pay more for printer and fax cartridges than we do for the machine what a winfall for them...not too mention the garbage...where do all those hard plastic cartridges go?
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Jesse
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #5 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 12:41pm » |
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The cartridges cost $5 for 4-6 weeks. They come in pairs, which means that $10 will last you 8-12 weeks.
On the short end (4 weeks), it will cost you about $65 a year (all factors held constant). That ends up being $650 for 10 years.
If that's material enough for you to spend all that itme and hassle to make your own brew, go for it.
It's not for me, so I will stick to the $4.5 a month it costs me (my local Wal-Mart has a good deal on them).
Jesse
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healinginfluence
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #6 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 1:44pm » |
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on Oct 22nd, 2004, 12:41pm, jessep wrote:The cartridges cost $5 for 4-6 weeks. They come in pairs, which means that $10 will last you 8-12 weeks.
On the short end (4 weeks), it will cost you about $65 a year (all factors held constant). That ends up being $650 for 10 years.
If that's material enough for you to spend all that itme and hassle to make your own brew, go for it.
It's not for me, so I will stick to the $4.5 a month it costs me (my local Wal-Mart has a good deal on them).
Jesse |
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I agree with Jesse completely. I want to add for those who haven't tried the Activator, that I find it very satisfying to pick up a perfectly clean shaver. No it isn't essential -- but for me it sure is nice. 
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SirWhiskaLot
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #7 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 4:28pm » |
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For someone without sensitive skin or prone to irritation, the decades old method of blowing whisker residue out of the razor head with your breath and using the little brush is the way to go. Very low cost.
As pointed out, the annual costs for a clean sterile razor are reasonable. I don't know how cheap Braun would have to sell the cartridges for some people to be satifisfied....maybe about 90 cents a piece? I'm not sure what the profit margin is but I'll bet there's a bunch of environmental regulations that Braun adheres to in order to make these flammable fluid cartridges and that adds to the final cost. Every ladder sold carries with it a hidden insurance premium for "I fell off your ladder!" lawsuits.
Of course, the best way to rage against the machine and stick it to the corporations is to grow a beard...it's free.
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ShaverS
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #8 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 5:15pm » |
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I'm not sure how this topic transmogrified from whether it is possible to make a home-made solution to clean the Activator so as to avoid the (absurdly priced) cartridge refills, and what forumula to use...to a discussion of who here will continue to buy and use Braun's own brew.
Whether you opt to continue using the cartridges is a different topic.
For anyone else who is thinking about trying the Activator, I bought one and the cartridges are easy to simply refill. I'll place my experience on using a cheap isopropyl alcohol-based (rather than ethanol-based) cleansing solution sometime in the next several weeks.
Meanwhile, if anyone does have an inexpensive home solution that he/she would recommend, let me know. Of note, The Mr. Steel Beard page carries a description from someone who learned that Braun adds a couple of drops of silicone to the mixture it peddles.
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Jesse
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #9 on: Oct 22nd, 2004, 7:20pm » |
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Here's an idea:
As stated before, instead of using the cleaning solution Braun makes or even your own solution, why not just use the included brush and clean it out like a non-base foil?
This would eliminate money being spent on an absurdly priced refill and spending money on a substitution.
To actually answer your question, just use the steelbeard site solution.
Sorry if I have aided somewhat in the transmogrification.
Jesse
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monts
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #10 on: Oct 24th, 2004, 3:06pm » |
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Hey Jesse,
Have you tried one of these models?
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Jesse
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #11 on: Oct 24th, 2004, 3:12pm » |
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I own the 8595..
I just don't think that the price of the refills are material enough to warrent dumping out the cartridge, filling it with alcohol, measuring lemon juice and adding silicone. That's all.
Jesse
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Victor
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #12 on: Oct 26th, 2004, 03:57am » |
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Thank you ShaverS for getting things back on track. I do not wish to digress but some clarification is in order. I live in a country where the cheapest price you can find for an Activator would begin at $300 U.S. which is very close to what I paid for it and "Lo I Walketh in the Land without Walmart", so sadly the cost for a 2 pack cartridge is about $16 U.S. not including shipping. I would like to cut some corners and maybe save a little space on the landfill at the same time. So yeah, I would love to buy a big jug of the blue kick-a-poo-joy juice straight from Big Daady Braun himself but you know that'll never happen. So I am going to do my brew and if there are any like minds I'd love the input.
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monts
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #13 on: Oct 26th, 2004, 08:57am » |
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I tried it, but its very hard getting all the gunk out of the bottom.
Hopefully, some enterprising young mind will come up with a system to refill the cartridges, much like you can with color printers.
You would probably have to drill a small hole in the bottom or side of the cartridge and provide a plug when you're done flushing it clean.
The solution shouldn't be too expensive, but it would be nice if it had the same smell and lubricating qualities of the official system. A cleanable filter would be nice as well!
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SirWhiskaLot
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Re: Braun Activator Cleaning Solution Proxy?
« Reply #14 on: Oct 26th, 2004, 09:43am » |
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We did provide relevant information about trying to work around buying new cartridges. It was not what you wanted to hear but it's reality.
The big hurdle you need to engineer around is the filter membrane sealed inside the cartridge base.
Would you change the oil in your car but not replace the dirty filter? I'm even more concerned about the cleaniness of the razor that runs across my face everyday than my car's engine.
Are you prepared to use a hot knife to cut open the bottom of the plastic cartridge and somehow replace the filthy mesh with a suitable replacement? Then reseal the cartridge with a hot glue gun? Do you think it would be fluid tight at that point?
How much would this cost in materials and your time?
I understand you want to save money, but trying to get around paying Braun is going to be a hassle.
As I said before, you could simply soak your Activator head down in a shallow dish of your home brew. Then switch it on for a few 20 second runs similar to the Eco cycle on the base station. Toss out the now dirty fluid or pour it thru a paper coffee filter or cheesecloth to recycle the fluid. Shake the excess fluid out of your razor and I'll bet it would be nearly as clean as one from the standard base station cleaning cycle.
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| « Last Edit: Oct 26th, 2004, 09:46am by SirWhiskaLot » |
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