Chemical marks on photographic paper

Does anyone have any tips on getting marks off the photographic paper - I guess they are from the chemicals during printing - learning all this again as some years since last printed!! Have a Nova tank but don't want to use the clips they provide as leave holes in the paper which isn't great when handing in as part of class project.

The marks i have been getting are from the tongs w- they do not show up until the paper is dry. I use seperate ones for each slot in a way to minimise contamination and wash the tongs and wipe off as much as i can too.

Also i have found that with Ilford MgIV glossy marks easily - which you recommend as an alternative MgIV pearl or MgIV satin?

I don't think you can remove the chemical marks, once you've got them you've got them, Best way to avoid them is to use the nova clip in the processer, I prefer trays, and I make certain that my tongs are cleaned before each session,and that the set for developer and fixer are kept seperate and only used dev set for dev/fixer for stopbath to fixer,and I always use stainless steel, and that way I get no problems,as far as paper is concerned Gloss or pearl shoudnt make any difference,Richard

thanks Richard - i will try them. Prefer nova tank as more convenient

My recommendation would be for Pearl, it hides a multitude of small mistakes, also very easy to spot.

I'm intrigued about your processing marks from the tongs. In another life I sat through a presentation at Ilford Australia regarding the strength and ability to withstand tong marks from too great a pressure and/or chemical marks.

I remember being impressed by the then technology they were using, Kodak no doubt were doing the same.

I can only assume that there might be a bit of oxidisation in your solutions, possibly because you are able to use them for a long time with a Nova processor.

To follow on with that, I'm assuming that the paper is reacting to the slightly off chemicals, however this is pure guess work, so don't take this too seriously.

Mick.

The marks are grey/purpley colour and used plastic tongs as the clips from nova make holes in the print. Have decided to used the print holders, which came with the Nova Slot Processor instead of using tongs/clips to avoid contamination. and wash them throughly before using on another print.

Crop in a bit on the paper and leave a little margin with no image area. Let the clips put some holes in and then trim the little bit of paper off the side that has the holes in it.