Bleach dilution Moersch Bleacher

silvercloud2323 · Jul 6, 2022

Hi,

Recently I bought a bleacher. The Moersch bleacher that i want to use must be highly dilluted with water.
I can't find the right dillution for locally bleach my print and to generally bleach the print?

On the bottle there is written :
Dilution 1+10 and 1 + 200
but nothing more.

Does any one has advice for me?

AgX · Jul 6, 2022

Does it really say so? On his website he says "1+10 up to 1+100".

You have to test yourself what fits your manner of working best. Punctual work typically is about a strong bleaching with sharp edges, thus high concentration. At your tests start with a high concentration and dilute as necessary. I do not see a problem in such approach.

silvercloud2323 · Jul 6, 2022

AgX said:
Does it really say so? On his website he says "1+10 up to 1+100".

You have to test yourself what fits your manner of working best. Punctual work typically is about a strong bleaching with sharp edges, thus high concentration. At your tests start with a high concentration and dilute as necessary. I do not see a problem in such approach.

Thx AgX
What is for you a high concentration?

koraks · Jul 7, 2022

lieven2323 said:
Does any one has advice for me?

Like @AgX says, you'll have to try. Even if Moersch would give a more specific recommendation (and he knows more than enough not to ever do so!), it wouldn't make much sense without also specifying other relevant process parameters, such as:
* Brand and type of paper used
* Developer used (particularly warm tone or not)
* Desired density reduction to be achieved
* Whether the bleach is used on its own or as part of Farmer's reducer, i.e. mixed with thiosulfate (this makes a HUGE difference in bleach speed)
* Method of application of the bleach, and related to this, the time the bleach remains in contact with the emulsion
And perhaps several other parameters that didn't immediately pop up in my mind.

So yeah, you'll really have to test. Take a couple of scrap prints or test strips and experiment.

In general, a strong dilution will be something like 1+10 to 1+20, a weak dilution will be in the range of 1+50 to 1+100. Of course, there's life outside of these boundaries as well. There's no standardization.

Good luck and have fun.

AgX · Jul 7, 2022

Lieven, there is a professional printer who works with a fine arts brush with bleach in one hand and a water showerhead in the other, all done over a lab sink. To give you an idea of an extreme approach.

Doremus Scudder · Jul 7, 2022

Moersch bleach (Bleicher) is a typical rehalogenating bleach of potassium ferricyanide (hexacyanoferrate) and potassium bromide. The stock will last pretty much indefinitely as long as you don't contaminate it (especially with fixer!).

Different dilutions work more quickly/slowly on different materials. Dilution also affects the contrast-increasing effects of the bleach.

So, start with a fairly weak dilutions (try, say, 1+50 or so for starters). If that doesn't work fast enough for you, add a bit of concentrate (in small amounts) till you get the activitiy you need for the materials you are working with. If the activity is too high, dilute more. Keep notes and you'll be able to get very close with your initial dilution.

Best,

Doremus

silvercloud2323 · Jul 8, 2022

koraks said:
Like @AgX says, you'll have to try. Even if Moersch would give a more specific recommendation (and he knows more than enough not to ever do so!), it wouldn't make much sense without also specifying other relevant process parameters, such as:
* Brand and type of paper used
* Developer used (particularly warm tone or not)
* Desired density reduction to be achieved
* Whether the bleach is used on its own or as part of Farmer's reducer, i.e. mixed with thiosulfate (this makes a HUGE difference in bleach speed)
* Method of application of the bleach, and related to this, the time the bleach remains in contact with the emulsion
And perhaps several other parameters that didn't immediately pop up in my mind.

So yeah, you'll really have to test. Take a couple of scrap prints or test strips and experiment.

In general, a strong dilution will be something like 1+10 to 1+20, a weak dilution will be in the range of 1+50 to 1+100. Of course, there's life outside of these boundaries as well. There's no standardization.

Good luck and have fun.

In general, a strong dilution will be something like 1+10 to 1+20, a weak dilution will be in the range of 1+50 to 1+100. Of course, there's life outside of these boundaries as well. There's no standardization.

Thank you! have a nice day

Bleach dilution Moersch Bleacher

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