Ethanol instead of Methyl for dry bleaching?

thefizz · Apr 20, 2014

I have done bleaching of dry prints with iodine, thiocarbamide and methyl alcohol but I'm finding methyl very expensive to buy now, so I'm wondering if ethanol (which I already have & much cheaper) would work?

bernard_L · Apr 20, 2014

I'm wondering if ethanol (which I already have & much cheaper) would work

If you already have some ethanol, you are in the best position to answer your question... by trying.

thefizz · Apr 20, 2014

bernard_L said:
If you already have some ethanol, you are in the best position to answer your question... by trying.

I sure am but I'm wondering if there would be any negative effects over time of using ethanol, hence my question.

johnnywalker · Apr 21, 2014

Ethanol is the stuff you drink in beer & scotch etc, so I doubt if you could breath in enough or absorb through your skin to do any harm. Actually I'm kind of surprised you can buy it in pure form!

AgX · Apr 21, 2014

Pure Ethanol can be obtained over here locally in pharmacies. The problem with pure Ethanol however is the vast liquor tax on it which makes the gross price about 15fold.
Thus I'm surprised to learn that in the US Methanol is more expensive.
Most probably the OP is refering to denaturized Ethanol.

thefizz · Apr 21, 2014

Yes I think what I have is denaturized Ethanol and I was wondering if it would have any negative effects on the print?

AgX · Apr 21, 2014

The best substitute in general for Ethanol is Isopropanol. Pure, low toxic, no liquor tax issue.

yulia_s_rey · Apr 21, 2014

i'm interested in trying this out, especially if it is of low toxicity, where can I find more info on this technique?

thefizz · Apr 21, 2014

yurisrey said:
i'm interested in trying this out, especially if it is of low toxicity, where can I find more info on this technique?

It's used for localised bleaching of dry prints.

From one of Tim Rudman's books:

Sulution A
Iodine 2.3g
Methyl alcohol 50ml

Solution B
Thiocarbamide 4.6g
Methyl alcohol 50ml

Mix A and B 50:50 and apply with a cotton pad. After a short time, wipe away with another pad dipped in alcohol only. It will dry quickly and be ready for another application of bleach if required.

yulia_s_rey · Apr 21, 2014

thanks, thefizz. Just out of curiosity, which Rudman book?

thefizz · Apr 22, 2014

yurisrey said:
thanks, thefizz. Just out of curiosity, which Rudman book?

The Photographer's Master Printing Course.

Ethanol instead of Methyl for dry bleaching?

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