User`s guide

Chapter 3 Preparing Samples

3-36 PerSeptive Biosystems

3.3 Cleaning Sample Plates

In this section

This section describes procedures for cleaning:

•Teflon

plates

• Gold and stainless steel plates

WARNING

CHEMICAL HAZARD. Before handling any chemicals, refer

to the Material Safety Data Sheet provided by the

manufacturer, and observe all relevant precautions.

Cleaning Teflon

plates

NOTE: Avoid using strong organic solvents such as

acetone. Use acetonitrile if a solvent is necessary. Avoid

ultrasonic cleaning devices.

NOTE: Do not use metal brushes, abrasive surfaces, or

solid detergents to clean Teflon sample plates; they are

fragile. Avoid rubbing the surface of the plate. If necessary,

wipe gently with lint-free lab tissues.

To clean Teflon plates:

1. Rinse the plate with luke warm water.

2. If necessary, wipe gently with a lint-free lab tissue to

remove matrix.

3. Wash the plate with a 1 percent solution of a liquid

detergent.

4. Rinse with deionized water.

5. If an organic solvent is necessary, rinse with acetonitrile at

the lowest percentage that will dissolve the matrix.