Bleaching and washing

Pieter12 · May 15, 2022

I have a question about whether it is necessary to fully wash a fiber print before bleaching? I have some prints that have gotten small stains on the edges and need to bleach those areas (not in the image). Do I need to archivally wash those prints before bleaching, and if so do I need to do an archival wash again? I would rather not use that much water here in Southern California. Maybe I could just wash the bleached edges for a certain amount of time or soak the prints with a few changes of water. The other alternative would be to bleach the partially washed prints and then give them a full archival wash. Last resort would be to trim the stained area from the border, something I'd rather not have to do.

Patrick Robert James · May 15, 2022

You should post an image of the stains. You shouldn't be getting stains on any paper if your process is good. Sounds like you may not be fixing enough or using old fixer. There are other reasons for stains too. Post an image.

Pieter12 · May 15, 2022

The stains are small, maybe 3/8x1//8" on one edge of the prints and are from my finger tips, handling 11x14paper going from one slot to the next and maybe when going into the wash tray. It is a matter of me not being thorough enough rinsing my fingers. I now have a dedicated water container for that purpose. There is no running water in my darkroom.

DREW WILEY · May 15, 2022

No. You don't need full washing first. You do need to properly fix first. Retain the print in a tray of water. Then after bleaching, you need to re-fix again, at least briefly, and then do your full final wash.

Pieter12 · May 15, 2022

Thanks. I wasn't aware of the re-fixing part.

Rich Ullsmith · May 18, 2022

Fiber paper is a sponge, and if you try to bleach a border without the solution soaking up into the image, good luck.

I do not agree with Drew Wiley, the print should be completely washed before any bleaching or toning. And complete re-fixing, not a brief refixing. Brief refixing may not bring out the insolubles you just introduced.

Pieter12 · May 18, 2022

I have had a lab bleach out similar stains in the past with no problem.just htought I would do it myself this time.

Doremus Scudder · May 18, 2022

I don't find complete washing necessary before bleaching. Do rinse for a few minutes after fixing to reduce the amount of fixer residual in the emulsion. The more fix in the emulsion, the faster the bleaching will take place, as the fixer accelerates the bleaching process.

I routinely bleach, rinse, return the print to the fix, rinse, bleach again (often the same area, building up to the amount of bleaching I want) in several iterations.

Use a tray bottom or other flat surface at an angle. Keep the area you are bleaching at the bottom if it's just an edge. Keep a hose with running water under and around the area you are bleaching and to rinse the bleached area when it has reached the desired density.

After bleaching as much as you need, refix completely, rinse, treat in wash-aid and wash fully.

Doremus

Don_ih · May 18, 2022

You have already fully fixed the print but if those marks are silver, you'll need to fix again after bleaching. If you need to fix again, you need to wash again.

Pieter12 · May 18, 2022

Don Heisz said:
You have already fully fixed the print but if those marks are silver, you'll need to fix again after bleaching. If you need to fix again, you need to wash again.

The marks are straw-yellow. I am going to ask the lab tech who has bleached similar stains before for me for his procedure.

Bleaching and washing

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