MIXING TF-4 (Shake well before using.)
USE DISTILLED WATER FOR BEST RESULTS
TF-4 is an already prepared liquid stock solution. To mix TF-4 working solution, the stock solution is mixed with three parts of water. For one gallon of working solution, take 1000 ml of TF-4 stock, and add 3000 ml of distilled water.
STORING TF-4
All photographic solutions should be used as soon as possible. TF-4 stock solution should not be kept for more than 12 months. All fixers should be kept away from high heat (over 85° F), as this will shorten the shelf life. If TF-4 is to be kept for some weeks after opening, it should be placed in smaller bottles filled to the top, with tight caps.
TF-4 is more concentrated than other fixers. It is packaged as a supersaturated solution, and you must shake well before placing it into smaller bottles or mixing the working solution. The working solution will become perfectly clear within a half hour. Parts of the cloudy precipitation may be a beige color - This is harmless.
CAPACITY
The capacity of TF-4 is about 30 8x10 prints on fiber-based paper, 60 8x10 prints on resin coated paper, per liter of working solution. Some people are fixing many more sheets of paper than stated here. Do your own testing for your maximum capacity.
For film the capacity is 15-20 rolls of film per liter of working solution.
USING TF-4 ON PRINTS (Shake well before using)
1- Develop the print as usual.
2- Drain.
3- Rinse in running water at 68° F for 30 seconds, with continuous agitation.
Do not use a stop-bath.
4- Drain.
5- Place the resin-coated print in the TF-4 fixer for 30 seconds, or fiber-base prints for 1 minute.
6- Drain and immediately place in a tray containing 68° F running water.
7- Wash fiber-based papers for at least 15 minutes - up to 25 minutes. Wash resin coated papers at least 3 minutes - up to 5.
Note: To establish proper washing times for your system we recommend testing processed emulsions with our Formulary Residual Hypo Test kit (cat. no. 03-0150). Since every darkroom has a different washing system (i.e. from hose in tray to archival print washer) our recommended wash times are approximate. Please test your system for wash times.
USING TF-4 ON T-MAX FILM: (shake well before using)
Since T-MAX films have a built-in hardener and TF-4 has no hardener, they make a great combination. Ilford now says you do not need a hardening fixer with Pan F, FP-4, or HP-5.
1- Develop the film as usual.
2- Rinse with 68° F running water for 1 minute.
3- Fix T-Max film for 6 minutes, with 5 inversions once a minute; or fix for 4 minutes with 30 seconds of agitation per minute. With other films, fix only 3 to 4 minutes.
4- Note: Most of the magenta stain should be removed from the film; the rest of the stain will be removed in the water wash.
5- Wash the film in 68° F running water for 5 minutes.