Age fogged paper

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I have this 50 sheet box of 16x20 Ilford MG FB paper that's over years old. It has a light gray fog and it's hard to get a clean white. I'm thinking of using it for Lith printing or other processes that doesn't require a pure white. Is there a way of using a restrainer in the developer to avoid the fogged base? On the other hand, I can buy another box of 16x20 box of paper.

 

[ozphoto]

A search here on APUG (remove paper fog) garnered this as one of the results;

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)

I actually bought some chemicals to do exactly the same, but can't for the life of me remember its name! (Plus I'm miles away from the darkroom to check for you. )

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Thanks! It's a great start.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

You can try adding a small amount of 10% potassium bromide or 1% benzotriazole to each liter of working developer. This will reduce any fog. Start with 2.5 ml of either solution working up to 10 to 15 ml. The potassium bromide will also perk up the paper's contrast.

 

[Ian C]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=liquid+orthazite&N=0&InitialSearch=yes

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Hey thanks Ian

You can try adding a small amount of 10% potassium bromide or 1% benzotriazole to each liter of working developer. This will reduce any fog. Start with 2.5 ml of either solution working up to 10 to 15 ml. The potassium bromide will also perk up the paper's contrast.

I'll give it a try. But will this effect the blacks on my prints?

 

[rtuttle]

Potassium Bromide will make your paper go warm toned and then after a point even a greenish hue. Benzotriazone will give you a colder tone. Both work pretty well and if there is no light fogging should work for you. Some papers however have a lot of developer incorporated emulsions and that fog isn't easily removed if at all. Agfa MCP was like that, if it fogged it was done! But I believe yours will be ok.

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Hey Thanks! I paid a lot for the paper. It looks like there's still hope. I'll try the potassium bromide trick. I like warm tone papers anyway.

 

[David Lyga]

Then, after the bromide in the developer, reduce slightly after fix (Farmers reducer, one solution). Both methods synergize to work with paper that is even moderately fogged. Be sure to print slightly darker so the reducer does not make things too white. - David Lyga

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Thanks for all he great tips. I have a whole stash of old paper in my darkroom.

 

[Mike Wilde]

anybody can make a great print on new paper. The real fun begins whan you need to bring an old expired one back to it's feet. You always learn something along the way to expand you printing skills with>

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I'm finding that out

anybody can make a great print on new paper. The real fun begins whan you need to bring an old expired one back to it's feet. You always learn something along the way to expand you printing skills with>

My printing skills aren't top notch. It was difficult working with that box of paper. I will expand my printing skills with that box of paper. It exercises those print muscles that I've used for years.