Agfa Neutol question

[pesphoto]

I bought a bottle of this on ebay and it arrived yesterday.
I opened the bottle and there was no paper seal on the top of the bottle, should there have been? I've never used it before and am concerned it was opened previously and has been sitting around like that for a while.
Also, should it be brown in color?

 

[Leon]

no it shouldn't but it should work fine. I've got bottles of brown neutol that are 7years old and still work perfectly - in fact I prefer it old and brown.

 

[Ian Grant]

I've used Neutol a lot, it never has a seal. The tops seal well, but it shouldn't be brown. Fairly clear and at the most a faint straw colour.

If it's brown it usually means its oxidised and gone off.

Ian

 

[pesphoto]

Thanks, I just looked at it at the sput of the bottel, it did look brown. I'll pour some in a glass bottle when i get home and take a look.
If its dead should I ask for a refund? I think I might

 

[Andrew Moxom]

even if its a light brown it should still work. When brand new, it should be light straw colour, to clear. As you use it, the colour changes darker, but it still works well. Not sure what verion of Neutol you have, but Ia m referring to Neutol WA, Not Neutol Plus or Neutol PE.

 

[pesphoto]

Sorry for my omission...it is Neutol Plus

 

[Ian Grant]

If it's Whisky colour use it, if it looks like coffee it's had it. It really depends on how brown it's gone.

Ian

 

[pesphoto]

ok, I'll check more carefully later today after work and let you know.
Thanks!!

 

[ath]

AFAIK Neutol plus contains ascorbic acid and has not the keeping properties of Neutol (NE).
If you bought it as new from a store, it should be clear. Return it.

 

[Leon]

Sorry for my omission...it is Neutol Plus

ok - ignore me, I've only used Neutol WA which works fine even when it looks like cola with flakes of scum and other rubbish floating in it - great stuff

 

[srs5694]

Sorry for my omission...it is Neutol Plus

I've never used it, but Neutol Plus does have a reputation for poor keeping qualities. As it's a paper developer, of course, you can try it and if it fails, all you've lost is a little time and whatever size piece of paper you try it on. (Try using a small scrap of paper first.) Just have some fresh developer standing by so you can actually do your printing if the developer is bad.