Cleaning Archival Print Washers

[ishutteratthethought]

Hello Folks,
I am sure this has been discussed before but thought I would ask.

I wanted to see what processes you use for cleaning archival print washers.

I have a 16 x 20 and a 24 x 30 that are in need of some serious cleaning. This includes all the dividers.
Don’t want to scrub too much and scratch the plexiglass.
I also wonder how I could efficiently clean the inside base since it is all glued together…..the part with all the micro-holes where the water comes out of.

Your thoughts appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Mike Wilde]

I have used well diluted toilet bowl cleaner and warm water to take the slime and gunkies out of my roller processor tanks from time to time. I rinse with water twice after doing this before putting it back into photo use service.

 

[mike c]

If the build up is calcium deposits try soaking with vinegar and water solution or may be Lime Away( haven't tried lime away myself on plastic).

 

[mgb74]

You might try "Chlorinated Pipeline Cleaner" (http://www.stearnspkg.com/all_tek/260tek.pdf). It's meant for cleaning dairy tanks. I use it for cleaning beer making equipment (including plastic carboys). Seems to clean better than just bleach.

A little goes a long way. A gallon is about $7-8 (IIRC) at Fleet Farm. If you want to try a smaller amount, PM me.

 

[ishutteratthethought]

Thanks for the tips!

Steve

 

[archer]

Dear Steve;
Soak in vinegar overnight. Vinegar is cheap and harmless. I keep a 6gal unused fuel tank in the garage full of vinegar just for this and return the vinegar to the tank when done for future use. Your washers will sparkle.
Denise Libby

 

[henpe]

Kodak has a technical publication on how to clean washers etc. from silver sulfides, see . I have not tried the suggested procedure by myself.

I will take the oppertunity to ask a question by myself. I recently bought a second hand archival washer that is clean from "goof", fungus, algea and calcium deposits etc, but has some dark spots from which I assume is precipitate of silver sulfide. How does this affect the effectiveness of the washer? Is it absolutely neccecerry that the washer is perfectly clean in order to not affect the print? What is the standard?

 

[Sim2]

Ok, forgive me hear but I might just be being the "devil's advocate" but I am wondering how rhe print washer can get fleazely digsusting that it needs a toilet bowl cleaner?

Perhaps my situation is slightly different as my prints go from the fix into a water holding tray before being put into my washer so perhaps not as strong as going straight from the fix, but apart from "water drops" on the casing - dirty? Hmm.

The most discolorisation I get is after washing from selenium toning - but again just "red drops" on the casing which can be cleaned away with a sponge.

Honestly not trying to be "holier than thou" but have half an eye on potential problems down the line that I am unaware of at the moment. Curious.

Sim2.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

Ok, forgive me hear but I might just be being the "devil's advocate" but I am wondering how rhe print washer can get fleazely digsusting that it needs a toilet bowl cleaner?

Perhaps my situation is slightly different as my prints go from the fix into a water holding tray before being put into my washer so perhaps not as strong as going straight from the fix, but apart from "water drops" on the casing - dirty? Hmm.

The most discolorisation I get is after washing from selenium toning - but again just "red drops" on the casing which can be cleaned away with a sponge.

Honestly not trying to be "holier than thou" but have half an eye on potential problems down the line that I am unaware of at the moment. Curious.

Sim2.

Anything left full of water (or even damp) will eventually develop a microbiological growth - its just a matter of time.

To minimise the risk, I drain my archival washer and dry it out after use (I only archival wash my best prints, the rest get a regular 30 min wash in trays)

However, sooner or later we all get the problem and having got it, its very difficult to get rid of - hence Steves' question.

Martin

 

[ishutteratthethought]

Thanks Martin.
I print a LOT of prints each month. I consider all of them worthy of an archival wash. Final storage to be determined later. 99.9% fiber based & usually prints that have been selenium toned. I really believe that the selenium is creating most of the slime/dirt.

I will try some of the suggested methods. I have used Dawn liquid soap with satisfactory results but there must be some chemical that would clean completely.
Thanks again for the tips & keep 'em coming.
Steve

 

[Sim2]

However, sooner or later we all get the problem and having got it, its very difficult to get rid of - hence Steves' question.

Martin

As I said - not trying to be holier than thou, nor 'dissing someone elses experiences - just a situation that I haven't encountered yet. Though by all accounts this particular joy is lurking around the corner for me.

There is a cleaning product available in the UK that might be useful:

http://www.novadarkroom.com/product/340/Nova_Tarbuster.html

Don't know if it is available elsewhere.

 

[Rick A]

Fill your tank and plug the outlet. Add half dozen "Efferdent" denture cleaning tablets and let soak overnight. Quick rinse in the AM and its all set to go.