Bluewater IR-2 Ink Remover Cleaning System – Automated Squeegee, Flood Bar & Screen Cleaner
Bluewater
The Bluewater IR-2 Ink Remover Cleaning System automates the messy, time-consuming work of cleaning squeegees, flood bars, ink tools, and screens. Load up to 16 tools or 2 screens, close the door, press start — the IR-2 runs an 8-minute high-pressure cleaning cycle inside a fully enclosed polypropylene chamber. Cuts cleaning labor by up to 50% and keeps overspray, ink, and chemicals out of your shop air. Includes the Squeegee & Floodbar Attachment so you can start cleaning tools the day it lands.
$28,650.00
Description
Stop Cleaning Squeegees by Hand
The Bluewater IR-2 Ink Remover Cleaning System automates the dirty, repetitive work that eats your prep time every job change. Load squeegees, flood bars, ink knives, or screens. Close the door. The IR-2 does the rest.
Why Print Shops Buy the IR-2
Eliminates Manual Tool Cleaning
Every job change involves wiping ink off squeegees, scraping flood bars, and washing tools at a sink. The IR-2 batches up to 16 tools per cycle — that’s an entire press worth of tools cleaned hands-free.
Pre-Cleans Screens for Reclaim
Two screens per cycle. The IR-2 strips ink from the mesh before the screen enters your reclaim line — meaning your reclaim chemistry lasts longer and your screens come out cleaner.
Contains the Mess
The enclosed polypropylene chamber traps overspray, atomized ink, and chemical mist inside the machine. No more ink-spattered walls, no more chemical fog in the screen room.
Quieter Than a Pressure Washer
The same polypropylene enclosure that contains overspray also damps the high-pressure spray noise. Your crew can hold a conversation 10 feet away while the IR-2 is running.
Up to 50% Labor Reduction
Bluewater Labs documents up to a 50% reduction in cleaning labor for shops that move tool and screen pre-cleaning into the IR-2. Run cycles in parallel with other prep work — nobody stands at a sink scrubbing.
Consistent Every Cycle
The IR-2 runs the same high-pressure cycle on every load. No more “the new guy didn’t scrub long enough” surprises when ink ghosts show up on tomorrow’s print. Repeatable results, every time.
What’s Included in the Box
Bluewater IR-2 Ink Remover Cleaning System — The main unit, fully enclosed polypropylene chamber, high-pressure spray system, automated 8-minute cycle control. Built and shipped direct from Bluewater Labs in Minnesota.
Squeegee & Floodbar Attachment — The dedicated rack that holds squeegees and flood bars in the correct cleaning position inside the IR-2 chamber. Lets you load up to 16 tools per cycle with even spray coverage on every blade. Sold as an extra-cost accessory with other reclaim machines — included with the IR-2 at no additional cost.
How the IR-2 Works (3-Step Cycle)
Prep your items. Scrape excess ink off squeegees and flood bars. For screens, remove the tape and scrape ink residue from the mesh. The IR-2 handles the chemical removal — you handle the easy bulk removal first.
Load and start. Place up to 16 tools (squeegees, flood bars, ink knives) or up to 2 screens into the chamber. Close the door. Press start. The 8-minute high-pressure cycle runs automatically.
Pull and rinse. Open the door, remove your items, and do a quick fresh-water rinse. That’s it. While the next load runs, your crew is back on the press.
Watch the IR-2 in Action
Full IR-2 walkthrough — see how the machine works, from load to finished tools.
Quick look: IR-2 stripping ink off squeegees and flood bars in a single cycle.
Where the IR-2 Fits in Your Workflow
Between Job Changes
When you tear down a job, all the squeegees and flood bars go into the IR-2 instead of the sink. By the time the press is set up for the next run, the tools are clean and ready.
Before the Reclaim Line
Pre-cleaning screens in the IR-2 strips bulk ink before they hit your automated reclaim line. Less chemistry consumed downstream, cleaner finished screens, longer reclaim machine service life.
End of Shift
Everything that touched ink today goes in the IR-2. The machine cleans while you button up the shop. No squeegees left soaking in a bucket overnight.
Built for Plastisol, Water-Based & Solvent Inks
Plastisol Cleanup
Plastisol clings to squeegee blades and flood bars. The IR-2’s high-pressure spray, paired with the right Bluewater chemistry, lifts plastisol residue cleanly — no more elbow-grease scrubbing with rags soaked in screen wash.
Water-Based & Discharge
Water-based ink dries fast and gets stubborn once it crosses the “dry-time threshold.” The IR-2’s enclosed wet cycle keeps everything in solution — perfect for shops running discharge, water-based, or hybrid systems.
Solvent & Specialty Inks
Solvent inks, foils, puff, and specialty formulations all leave residue that’s hard to remove by hand. The IR-2 standardizes cleanup across every ink type your shop runs — pair with the correct Bluewater chemistry per ink.
IR-2 vs. Manual Tool Cleaning
| What You Compare | Manual at the Sink | Bluewater IR-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Time per batch | 15-30 min per tool, depending on operator | 8 minutes, up to 16 tools at once |
| Labor required | Full operator attention | Load & walk away |
| Consistency | Varies operator-to-operator | Identical cycle every load |
| Mess containment | Splatter on walls, floor, operator | Fully enclosed polypropylene chamber |
| Chemical exposure | Direct contact + airborne mist | Contained inside the unit |
| Noise level | Handheld pressure washer is loud | Enclosure dampens spray noise |
| Screen pre-cleaning | Often skipped because of time cost | Built into the standard cycle |
The IR-2 is custom built and drop-ships directly from Bluewater Labs in Minnesota. Contact us for current lead time before placing your order — we’ll confirm the build queue and shipping window.
The IR-2 qualifies for equipment financing through our financing partner. Section 179 tax advantages may apply for qualifying businesses. Apply for financing →
Get Your Crew Off the Sink
Call us to talk through your shop volume, ink types, and existing reclaim setup — we’ll spec the IR-2 to fit.
Technical Specifications
Performance & Capacity
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Bluewater Labs |
| Model | IR-2 Ink Remover Cleaning System |
| Cycle Time | 8 minutes per cycle |
| Cycles Per Hour | Approximately 7 |
| Tool Capacity (per cycle) | Up to 16 tools (squeegees, flood bars, ink knives) |
| Screen Capacity (per cycle) | Up to 2 screens |
| Cleaning Action | High-pressure enclosed wash cycle |
| Labor Reduction | Up to 50% (per manufacturer) |
Construction & Containment
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Enclosure Material | Polypropylene (chemical resistant, corrosion proof) |
| Containment | Fully enclosed — traps overspray, ink mist, and chemical vapor |
| Noise Reduction | Enclosure dampens high-pressure spray noise vs. handheld systems |
| Door Operation | Manual front-load door, cycle starts on close + button press |
| Compatible Inks | Plastisol, water-based, discharge, solvent, specialty |
What’s Included
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| IR-2 Main Unit | Fully enclosed polypropylene chamber, high-pressure spray system, 8-minute automated cycle control |
| Squeegee & Floodbar Attachment | Dedicated rack — holds up to 16 squeegees and flood bars per cycle with even spray coverage |
Utilities & Installation
The IR-2 requires standard electrical, compressed air, water supply, and drain connections. Exact utility specifications (voltage, amperage, CFM, NPT fitting size, drain requirements) are documented on the official Bluewater Labs IR-2 spec sheet. Call us at (512) 454-0505 or email [email protected] to request the current spec sheet PDF before placing your order — we’ll send Bluewater’s latest documentation so your electrician and plumber can pre-quote the install.
Drop-Ship Logistics
| Detail | Notes |
|---|---|
| Build & Ship | Custom built to order, drop-ships direct from Bluewater Labs (Minnesota) |
| Lead Time | Varies with build queue — contact us for current window |
| Freight | Palletized common carrier; freight quote available on request |
| Warranty | Bluewater Labs standard manufacturer warranty |
Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
The IR-2 ships with the main unit (fully enclosed polypropylene cleaning chamber with the high-pressure spray system and automated cycle controller) and the dedicated Squeegee & Floodbar Attachment. The attachment is a purpose-built rack that holds up to 16 squeegees and flood bars in the correct cleaning position, giving you full coverage on every blade in a single cycle. You can be cleaning tools the day the machine lands — no extra accessories to order.
The IR-2 is purpose-built for screen printing tool cleaning: squeegees, flood bars, ink knives, ink buckets, and other production tools that touch ink. The included Squeegee & Floodbar Attachment lets you load up to 16 tools per cycle. It also pre-cleans screens before they enter a dedicated reclaim line — up to 2 screens per cycle.
Each cycle runs 8 minutes. The machine averages about 7 cycles per hour, which means up to ~112 tools cleaned per hour if you’re running batches back-to-back. Load, close the door, press start, walk away.
No — they do different jobs and complement each other. The IR-2 removes ink from tools and pre-cleans screens. A reclaim machine like the Bluewater R-2536C or R-2536S strips emulsion and dehazes screens for full reclaim. Many shops run both: IR-2 handles daily tool cleaning and screen pre-clean, the reclaim machine handles full screen reclaim.
All of them. Plastisol, water-based, discharge, solvent, and specialty inks (puff, foil, glow, metallic). The high-pressure spray paired with the right Bluewater chemistry per ink type strips residue from tools and mesh consistently. We can recommend the chemistry stack that matches your ink mix.
Significantly quieter than a handheld pressure washer. The enclosed polypropylene chamber dampens the spray noise — most shops report the IR-2 is quieter than their press fans. You can hold a conversation 10 feet away without raising your voice.
The IR-2 is fully enclosed. Overspray, ink mist, and chemical fog stay inside the chamber during operation. After a cycle, items come out wet and need a quick fresh-water rinse — most shops keep a utility sink next to the IR-2 for that 15-second rinse, but you don’t need a dedicated wash area or special ventilation.
Standard shop utilities: electrical, compressed air, water supply, and drain. Exact specifications (voltage, amperage, CFM, fitting sizes) are on the official Bluewater Labs IR-2 spec sheet. Call (512) 454-0505 or email us and we’ll send the current spec PDF so your electrician and plumber can pre-quote the install before equipment arrives.
The IR-2 is custom built to order and drop-ships directly from Bluewater Labs in Minnesota. Lead time varies with the build queue — contact us before ordering and we’ll confirm the current build window so you can plan your shop install date. Once it ships, freight transit is typically 3-7 business days within the continental US.
The IR-2 is designed for self-installation by your shop’s electrician and plumber once utilities are roughed in — it’s simpler than a full reclaim machine. We provide the spec sheet ahead of time and walk you through any questions on the install. Phone support is included; on-site install is available as a paid service if needed.
The IR-2 runs Bluewater Labs-formulated cleaning chemistry tuned for the high-pressure enclosed-spray environment. We stock and ship the consumables alongside the machine — ask us at order time and we’ll bundle the starter chemistry so you’re ready to run the day the machine lands.
Bluewater Labs documents up to a 50% reduction in cleaning labor. Real-world savings depend on your job mix — shops with frequent color changes and ink-heavy art see the biggest gains. Even at 30-40% labor savings, the math typically works on payback in under a year for shops doing more than ~5 job changes per day.
Yes — the IR-2 qualifies for equipment financing through our financing partner. Section 179 tax advantages may apply for qualifying businesses, which means a year-end purchase can often be expensed against current-year revenue. Apply for financing →
The IR-2 carries Bluewater Labs’ standard manufacturer warranty. River City Supply is an authorized Bluewater dealer — we coordinate any warranty service or parts directly with Bluewater on your behalf. Phone support is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM CT at (512) 454-0505.
Still have a question?
We answer every call and email — usually within minutes during business hours.
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