Dark slide repair help.

JasonC · Apr 3, 2006

Hi everyone,

Anyone has any idea on how to repair cracks on dark slides? I read somewhere in the forums about using black caulk, but can't find the post anymore. Thanks.

Jason.

Donald Miller · Apr 3, 2006

I have repaired quite a few of these using a two part epoxy. The epoxy I found was black in color and I repaired these by first aligning the adjacent surfaces as near correct as possible. I spread the epoxy very thinly (less the 1/32 inch) and then used a sanding block with 600 grit sand paper to feather the patch. I felt that the last step was important for passage of the slide through the light trap.

JasonC · Apr 3, 2006

If the 2-part epoxy is sanded to that thin, would it crack when the dark slides flexes? The black culk (silicon?) would flexes with the dark slides, I think.

Jason.

Donald Miller · Apr 3, 2006

JasonC said:
If the 2-part epoxy is sanded to that thin, would it crack when the dark slides flexes? The black culk (silicon?) would flexes with the dark slides, I think.

Jason.

I have had no instances of a failure in the 8X10 slides that I have repaired after two years of usage. The epoxy has the ability to flex...albeit not as much as silicone. You should use the material that you are most comfortable with.

Dave Parker · Apr 3, 2006

What size dark slides are you trying to repair? Just wondering, quite often darkslides will show up for sale for different types of film holders..

Dave

David A. Goldfarb · Apr 3, 2006

You can even buy new ones from B&H and cut them to size, if they are 8x10" or smaller, which is what I've done.

DannL · Apr 3, 2006

I also used two part epoxy, the type that sets up after mixng in about 5 minutes. Walmart $3.00 and some change. I flex the dark side to get epoxy down into inside the break, applying it with a toothpick. Once it was set up, I removed excess whith exacto knife. It's perty rubbery for about 20-30 minutes. After it's all cleaned up I covered the area with a piece of black electrical tape. Without the tape light would still leak through. My film holders are probably 80-90 years old and fairly nasty, considering.

JasonC · Apr 3, 2006

Dave,

I am trying to repair some 8x10 dark slides.

Jason.

JasonC · Apr 3, 2006

I'll give epoxy a try since I already have a tube. Thanks.

Jason.

Loose Gravel · Apr 3, 2006

I bought some holders that had cracked slides. They had been repaired with an aluminized, very thin tape.

JasonC · Apr 3, 2006

Hmmm..... The aluminized tape is a good idea. It will be easier than using epoxy. Anyone knows where could I get those tapes? Thanks.

Jason.

Loose Gravel said:
I bought some holders that had cracked slides. They had been repaired with an aluminized, very thin tape.

DannL · Apr 3, 2006

Aluminum tape can be purchased from a general hardware store. Home depot, Lowes in the US. Usually in the heating and duct section of the store. I would still put some type of glue/sealant on the crack, only to help prevent the crack from getting larger as the darkside flexes through normal use.

Loose Gravel · Apr 3, 2006

DannL said:
Aluminum tape can be purchased from a general hardware store. Home depot, Lowes in the US. Usually in the heating and duct section of the store. I would still put some type of glue/sealant on the crack, only to help prevent the crack from getting larger as the darkside flexes through normal use.

It wasn't that thick. I think the tape I saw is sold at graphic arts stores for masking transparancies. Very, very thin.

DannL · Apr 3, 2006

Oh! Sorry! My luck . . . LOL!. I was actually going to use aluminum duct repair tape on mine, having about 100' of it in the garage. But in the end went with black electrical, since it goes with my purse and shoes and darkside. LOL!

That's a joke BTW. ;-)

eddie gunks · Apr 4, 2006

i also use a 2 part epoxy. mine comes from the auto body industry and it hardens in 1 min. i coated both side, and then sanded it when it was hard. worked fine. i think i used 220 sandpaper as i did not want to sand for a long time......i save that kind of sanding for the cars i work on. lol
eddie

JasonC · Apr 4, 2006

Thanks guys. Looks like the approach is to use epoxy to prevent further cracking and foil tape for light proof.

Jason.

Dark slide repair help.

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