Cleaning 8x10" Film Hangers

[tomkatf]

I have a number of Kodak 8x10" film hangers that have a gray/dark gray residue on them. IIRC this is a byproduct of development and is a silver compound (silver sulfite ?) of some sort... In my dim past I seem to recall that soaking in a Potassium Dichromate solution will clean them up... Is this correct and can anyone recommend anything better?
Thanks,
T

 

[koraks]

You may be thinking of silver sulfide, not silver sulfite, which AFAIK is (1) white and (2) not stable and will decompose into silver sulfate, which is also white.
However, I think the more plausible possibility is that it's just metallic silver that has plated onto the hangers. In that case, you could use a regular bleach (C41 or E6 bleach, or a ferricyanide/bromide bleach) followed by fixing in regular photographic fixer. This may take quite a long time, so I'd start by simply scrubbing the hangers to remove whatever muck is attached to them as far as possible before trying the chemical route.

Another option that IMO is perfectly viable is to just leave them as-is, maybe only wash them with soapy water followed by a thorough rinse to remove whatever dust and grime from prolonged storage.

 

[Don_ih]

"Tray cleaner" formulas are at this thread.

Scrubbing would be a good start, though. And whatever is left after that likely wouldn't have any impact.

 

[tomkatf]

Thanks to all for your information and suggestions, I appreciate it! Yes!... as I recall now it's free silver that has attached itself to the hangers. I'll try some of the suggested methods... I'm just trying to get the hangers more presentable and sell them...
Thanks again,
Tom

 

[mshchem]

Kodak recommended BonAmi, back then an extremely soft natural feldspar with soap concoction. Barkeeper's friend is pretty active these days.
To passive and renew the Chrome oxide a dip in dilute nitric acid to finish. Never ever use anything with chlorine.
Kodak sold developer system cleaner which was for tar.

Gently heat them. Then apply your cleaner

Final resort EasyOff oven cleaner, careful you don't lose skin.