Emulsion cleaner

shutterboy

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Hello,

I am new here, so I hope no one will be offended if I am posting this in the wrong forum. I am a recent film convert and have been having a hard time with "gunk" stuck to me negatives. Mostly, it is finger oil and other organic soluble material. I have been looking around and found Photosol advertising and selling PEC-12 as photographic emulsion cleaner. I was wondering if 99% pure 2-Propanol (Isopropyl alcohol) would be as good as PEC-12. At 17$ for 4oz, it does seem costly unless there is some distinct added advantage.

Thanks
 
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shutterboy

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Thought of adding some more information that I found:

As per Dead Link Removed, PEC-12 contains Methanol along with Butyl acetate. Can someone tell me what is the acetate used for and how does it help in cleaning emulsions? Also, if I just use just methanol, what changes?
 

yulia_s_rey

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The best practice is to avoid contacting the negatives improperly (perfs are your friends) and to get 100% cotton gloves. Also, good old photo flo works magic. I bought a 16oz for somthing like $6 years ago and I still have plenty for years to come.
 

Jim Taylor

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Steve Anchell's "The darkroom cookbook" has a 'film cleaner' recipe listed... propan-2-ol; ammonia and water (approx: 97:1:2)

This is what I use and it works a treat - great for cleaning many other things too!!

HTH
 

Athiril

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PEC-12 leaves behind a lot of residue. Also that residue seems to bond with many surfaces. IMHO it is a fraudulent product.
 
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shutterboy

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Athiril said:
PEC-12 leaves behind a lot of residue. Also that residue seems to bond with many surfaces. IMHO it is a fraudulent product.
Click to expand...

Oh well, what do you recommend for cleaning then?
 
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shutterboy

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Kevin Caulfield said:
Isopropanol.

Sent from my C6603 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Well, not to nitpick, but I believe you either need to call it Isopropyl Alcohol (common name) or 2-Propanol (IUPAC name) or more correctly, Propan-2-ol.
 

Rick A

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If you're leaving "finger oils" on your negatives then you seriously need to wash your hands before handling film. Whenever I have "newbies" in my darkroom the first thing we do is go straight to the sink and wash hands with plenty of soap and hot water. Cleanliness is everything.
 

eli griggs

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Jim Taylor said:
Steve Anchell's "The darkroom cookbook" has a 'film cleaner' recipe listed... propan-2-ol; ammonia and water (approx: 97:1:2)

This is what I use and it works a treat - great for cleaning many other things too!!

HTH
Click to expand...

Has anyone else tried tried this formula and have you formed an opinion?
 
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