Cleaning negatives

[phil146]

I have read some older discussion threads about cleaning dust that is embedded on B&W negatives. I tried rewashing the negatives with distilled water and Photoflo with limited success. One post suggested using isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth to gently rub the negative. Is this a common(and safe) practice? Does alcohol leave a residue? I couldn't detect any with my eyes but didn't try making a print. I have also tried Delta film cleaner and the Pec wipes. Both seemed to leave a residue. I'm reluctant to try cleaning my most important negatives with them. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
Phil

 

[Light Guru]

I have read some older discussion threads about cleaning dust that is embedded on B&W negatives. I tried rewashing the negatives with distilled water and Photoflo with limited success. One post suggested using isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth to gently rub the negative. Is this a common(and safe) practice? Does alcohol leave a residue? I couldn't detect any with my eyes but didn't try making a print. I have also tried Delta film cleaner and the Pec wipes. Both seemed to leave a residue. I'm reluctant to try cleaning my most important negatives with them. Would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
Phil

If the dust is not coming off with distiller water that makes me wonder if it really is dust.

However here are a few thoughts.

When you rewash how long do you leave the negatives in the distiller water? Is is long enough to fully soften the film so that it will release stuck partials.

Are you sure you are not just replacing the dust you wash off with new dust that gets stuck on when they re dry. Perhaps there is a problem with the environment in which you are letting your negatives dry.

 

[tkamiya]

If it is embedded, I wouldn't mess with it much. Either way, it will leave you with a mark. You may be in a situation that more you try to clean it, more damage you might cause as a result.

I use PEC12 film cleaner. It does not leave any residue. Most alcohol you can buy at drug stores aren't pure. So while alcohol will be fine but water in it, and contaminant can leave drying marks. PEC pad can scratch your negative. So be very gentle.

 

[hdeyong]

The odd time I've had to clean a negative, I've used isopropyl, (at least 90%), and bandage pads, the kind for dressing wounds. They are soft and absolutely lint free. Anything that's left behind, I leave it there.

 

[Tom1956]

I've had very good luck making up a tray of photo-flow water, soaking the negative in it while stroking it with a 1 1/2 inch wide photographic-grade paint brush, just like I would have washed dishes with a dish brush.

 

[clayne]

PEC PAD and 99.5% isopropanol (which is easily purchasable on ebay) for general cleaning. However, none of that is usually going to help if dust has lodged into the emulsion when it was wet as the emulsion has basically shrink wrapped it into itself. Soaking and cleaning (in water) *may* help but it's usually more risk than it's worth.

 

[phil146]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will try do some more rewashing with distilled water for a longer time and maybe use some alcohol. I have plenty of old negatives to practice on. I do need to find a better place for drying my film. Lots of people mention using their bathroom shower stall which is probably the most humid place in my house, especially in the winter. That should help cut down on the dust. Appreciate your help.
Phil

 

[madgardener]

Fuji has a very good instruction set on cleaning. It's geared mostly towards pictures, but I personally feel that it can't be posted too many times.

http://photorepairinstruction.fujifilmusa.com/

Very good cleaning tips

 

[phil146]

Thanks for the link. Good information!
Phil

 

[George Collier]

One other thing I have done with really old negs late 19th and early 20th century), to remove general grunge, is to make a 50 / 50 isopropyl alcohol and distilled water (the alcohol was 99%, from a pharmacy, not on the shelf) I soaked them in a small try for a few minutes, then rubbed (still in the tray) very lightly, slowly, and carefully with cotton balls. When hanging up, they dry very quickly and nicely (these were various sizes from 4x5 to 120 formats of old). I was able to remove some kind of fungus that had "taken residence" in the emulsion.

 

[tron_]

Where are you hanging your negatives to dry? I found hanging them in the shower helped reduce the amount of dust.

If I still see some dust on my negatives, I either blow on them (careful not to get spit on the negs) or if the dust is really stubborn, I use a microfiber cloth or PEC PAD.

 

[K-G]

Thanks for the link. Good information!
Phil

+1

Karl-Gustaf

 

[Braunsky]

Age & other problems

I have some 35mm b&w negatives I developed and printed back in 1974, then did nothing with since then other than move them from a paper negative sleeve to a plastic sleeve. The original prints were college year book photos for my classmates. I've recently promised a new print for a classmate, took out the negatives and discovered steaks on the base side that look like drying streaks. I don't remember drying streaks, and I still have printing notes on some of them. I suppose it's possible that moves and changes in humidity resulted in some condensation that cause the steaks. While I can scan and photoshop out most of the streaking, I'd like to clean them. I've read advice to use alcohol. not use alcohol unless it's pure pure pure, mix it with distilled water, use distilled water with photoflow as if I was washing the negatives originally, wipe them, don't wipe them... Any consensus on removing just such water stains on the base side? I'm resigned to dust. There's no dust or crud embedded in the emulsion.

Second question - what's the current best thinking on storing old negatives? I have both my old square Brownie negatives from when I was a sprout, and many 35 mm negatives.

Muchas Gracias in advance. I just found this forum and look forward to perusing the different topics and threads.