Silhouette Cameo 5, Curio 2 & Portrait 4 – Care, Maintenance, and Storage Tips

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With the release of these new models of Silhouette machines – the Silhouette Cameo 5, Curio 2, and Portrait 4 – along with the new Electrostatic (ES) Beds – care and maintenance is going to be very important in the success and lifespan on your machines!

We troubleshoot with thousands of users each week and we have seen some very dirty machines. This will affect the lifespan and usage of your Silhouette machines! There is no way to sugar coat that! Especially now with the new technology released.

I’m sharing tips to the care, maintenance, and storage for the new Silhouette machines and accessories in this video – Silhouette Cameo 5, Curio 2, Portrait 4 – Care, Maintenance, and Storage Tips video on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel found HERE.

Care, Maintenance, and Storage Tips

The #1 biggest thing is to keep your machines clean and free of debris. Especially with the new powered tool housing and power plug on the Cameo 5, Curio 2, and Portrait 4. Any dirt or debris in that power housing plug and it can affect your results and success!

I recommend keeping the lid on your machine for the Silhouette Cameo 5 and Portrait 4 closed when it’s not in use.

A Silhouette machine dust cover is a great idea too, especially if you have a workspace that has a lot of particles in the air. The Cameo 4 dust covers fit nicely over the Cameo 5 machines. They are pretty similar in size, just a few differences in the design.

With the Silhouette Curio 2, keep it free and clear of debris and materials in the way of the housing and channels on the machine. Any dirt, debris, or materials in the channels can interfere with the Curio 2 function and housing moving freely during use.

I do not recommend storing anything on top of the Silhouette Curio 2 or it could affect the machine function.

A can of compressed air or a keyboard air duster may be handy to have around to help keep debris off the machine as well.

For my Curio 2 with acrylic etching/engraving, I’ve been using a handheld vacuum to help with the clean up after the etch.

Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed

The Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed is new! It’s awesome! Keep the boxes if you have not already thrown those away. The Electrostatic Bed should be stored completely flat and I do not recommend storing things on top of it.

The Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed is very specific in that it needs to be completely flat in order to function properly and maintain the charge. Any warping of the bed due to improper storage or materials placed on it over time, can affect the success of using it.

Keep the boxes and packing materials for storage on the Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed. This will be the best protection that you can use and you know it is stored safely when it’s placed back in the box with the packaging foam.

Any damage to the Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed and you will need to replace it. Improper storage of the bed is not a machine fault, but is the responsibility of the user.

For information on how to install the Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed with a Silhouette Cameo 5 click HERE.

Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Protective Sheets

The Electrostatic (ES) Protective Sheets are a very important part of the ES bed as well! The Electrostatic (ES) Protective Sheets need to be store completely flat and kept flat for proper usage on the Electrostatic (ES) Bed. If they are not completely flat, the charge may not be able to build up properly and be maintained during the cut.

I found 2 options for storing the Electrostatic (ES) Protective Sheets. Both are 12″ x 12″ scrapbook cases and fit the 12″ x 12″ Protective Sheets very well.

• Simply Tidy 12″ x 12″ Scrapbook Case at Michaels
• Options 12″ x 12″ case at Joanns

Silhouette Power Tool Storage

The new Silhouette Power Tools are a bigger tool housing than previous Silhouette tools. This means that they may not fit in the previous tool storage that a user had.

The storage of these new power tools will be very important because you not only have to protect the Auto Tool Detection metal plate on the backside of the tool, but you also have a Power Plug on the backside of the tool that needs to be protected as well.

I found a couple options for storage for the tools and they are customizable for what each user might need.

• Simply Tidy Deep Utility Storage from Michaels
• Options Grab-n-Go Storage from Joanns

The Options Grab-n-Go Storage worked great for the Silhouette 3″ foil rolls, the print and emboss squares & fasteners for the Silhouette embossing mat, and holding multiple tools. This is an “Option” that can grow with you.

Look around your house and see if there is something you can repurpose for tool storage. You may already have an option that works for the tools you have!

Non-power Silhouette Tool Storage Options

This is the tool holder that I’ve been using for several years with the non-power Silhouette tools such as the Autoblade, Rotary blade, and Kraft blades. As you can see, I have gathered a selection of tools over the years as I’m writing tutorials and teaching classes.

This tool holder has worked for me so far with the smaller blade housings.

Additional Care Tips

Keep the rollers clean of adhesive. The rollers of the Cameo 5 and Portrait 4 should not be rolling on the adhesive of the cutting mat or it can pick up adhesive residue and affect your future cut projects.

All of these tips are 100% the user’s responsibility. You have invested in these machines and with proper care, use, and storage the Silhouette machines, tools, and accessories should work well for you.

Find the new Silhouette model machines and accessories at CrafterCuts or SilhouetteAmerica.

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Enjoy !

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