Ambrotype/tintype

[cabledog]

So I'm thinking of getting into ambrotype. I love the look and process. Not sure if I'm asking in the correct forum or not but maybe someone that has experience in this can give me some tips or words of wisdom, I.e. Wet vs dry, pre mix colloid or homemade, etc.

 

[cabledog]

Also what type of glass? Does it have to be a specific type?

 

[Brickbird]

DOG.......I use Tru-Vue Premium Clear Glass in 11x14 for wet-plate collodion process. Each sheet comes interleaved and spotless and ready for pouring. I have a nice supply of black glass I've acquired for several years as I think Spectrum is no longer supplying black glass for positives. I bought the Tru Vue at a local framing wholesaler. Just make sure it fits your holder and is not too thick. I would have to measure but I think mine is 2.5mm thickness.

 

[kevin klein]

It would probably be less expensive to buy glass at a window repair shop or a hardware store. I have used fancy picture framing glass from a framing shop and the collodion peeled right off when dried. Some picture glass is coated with something that will not let the collodion stick unless you sub the plate first, I do that every time I make a negative now. As for what to use, Premixed is more expencive, but if you find that you really like the process using it you can move up to mixing your own. (collodion, developer, fixer, varnish etc.) The initial cost will be more but if you are going to be using alot of it mixing your own is the way to go and cheaper in the long run.

 

[DonF]

I try to use found glass when I can. A trip to Goodwill or other thrift stores yields old frames from which the glass can be removed. Dollar Store picture frames are another source. Hobby Lobby sells large sheets of plain framing glass packaged and ready to go.

I invested in an oil reservoir glass cutter and special pliers that snap the cut glass in two. I use a ruled cutting mat and long metal ruler to get the dimensions to match my plate holder correct.

I never sub the glass. I use a cheap knife sharpening stone to smooth the edges at 45 degrees. To clean, I use rottenstone powder mixed equally with denatured alcohol and water. Scrub with the slurry using a soft cloth, wiping off the excess. Polish off the haze when dry with a dry cloth, including edges. Get it all off so as not to contaminate your silver nitrate bath.