Help! C41 developer stains in my bathtub

Zzm · Apr 5, 2016

I failed to wash my porcelain enamel bathtub adequately after pouring C41 developer down the drain (its glass bottle exploded while stored in a plastic box). This resulted in some nasty brown stains in the tub, and I haven't found an agent capable of removing them. Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks!

Helinophoto · Apr 5, 2016

Try the old and tested vinegar + dishwasher.

In general, this works wonders for showers and general cleaning in the bathroom.

To make a 1 liter solution, use 1 part (dl) vinegar, 0,5 - 1 part (dl) dishwasher and 8 parts (dl) water. (to make 1 liter ).

Put in a spray-bottle.
Spray and let sit for 5 minutes, then use a sponge and rub/clean normally, no hard rubbing should be needed, rinse off.

I noticed that my sink, which had brown blix-stains was squeeky clean after the last cleaning session.
My shower (and even the glass,which normally has a grey, hard to remove haze), looks new! =)

BMbikerider · Apr 5, 2016

If the porcelain or bath enamel or even plastic of the bath absorbed the chemical it must be less than perfect. However. to clean my Nova processor when I did colour I used a spray obtainable from car accessory shops intended to clean brake and clutch components. In UK it is called - oddly enough - Brake and clutch cleaner!

It seems to have a high proportion of solvents in the liquid and smells very much like dry cleaning fluid. If it is sprayed on the stain, the mark should diminish or even disappear altogether. It is a benign liquid and will evaporate in minutes and leave no lasting smell. My only warning is, wear gloves when you use it, because it will also remove all natural oils out of your skin.

I have even used it to remove stains from floor carpets and clothes and not leave a trace or any damage.

EdSawyer · Apr 5, 2016

This will work, or at least it has for me, cleaning C41 developer tanks.

www.amazon.com/Magic-American-Cleaner-32-Ounce-Bottles/dp/B000X37EVC/

removed account4 · Apr 5, 2016

whatever you do,, don't use HFA, jessie pinkman used that
and walter white got very mad.

fdonadio · Apr 5, 2016

jnanian said:
whatever you do,, don't use HFA, jessie pinkman used that and walter white got very mad.

That episode is unforgettable!

mnemosyne · Apr 6, 2016

BMbikerider said:
Brake and clutch cleaner!

It seems to have a high proportion of solvents in the liquid and smells very much like dry cleaning fluid. If it is sprayed on the stain, the mark should diminish or even disappear altogether. It is a benign liquid and will evaporate in minutes and leave no lasting smell.

A generalizing description of brake cleaner as "benign liquid" is irresponsible. Depending on the type of product, these cleaners may contain a whole variety of substances as solvents, often mixtures of aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene/xylene or even chlorocarbons like tetrachloroethylene, which affect the central nervous system and/or are known as carcinogens and/or mutagens. This stuff is absorbed by your body through skin contact and inhalation. Sustained exposure will damage your liver, kidneys ... you name it. Also, most of these products are highly flammable. You should absolutely not use this kind of stuff in an indoor environment unless the area is very, very well ventilated or you made sure that the product you use is indeed "benign". RTFMSDS.

BMbikerider · Apr 17, 2016

When I said 'benign', I meant in the unlikley hood to cause damage to what it was applied scenario. It will not attack, enamel, paint (dry), glass, fabrics or plastic. You will only need a small amount for it to work.

Yes, observe the safety instructions, but the likley hood of suffering and long term lasting injury is remote, unless repeatedly used carelessly

Athiril · Apr 17, 2016

There's a pink automotive degreaser that removes colour dev stains off materials.

Ken Edwards · Apr 30, 2016

Zzm said:
I failed to wash my porcelain enamel bathtub adequately after pouring C41 developer down the drain (its glass bottle exploded while stored in a plastic box). This resulted in some nasty brown stains in the tub, and I haven't found an agent capable of removing them. Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks!

Acetone, which is available from a hardware store, can clean oxidized developer stains off glass, ceramic and polyethylene plastic. Do not use it with polystyrene plastic.

fdonadio · Apr 30, 2016

Ken Edwards said:
Acetone [...] Do not use it with polystyrene plastic.

Unless you want the polystyrene to look like (badly) ground glass.

mshchem · May 22, 2016

If it's degraded developer it's like tar, the traditional developer system cleaners would probably best be left alone (chromic acid) nasty. As long as there is absolutely no plastic try a small amount of a solvent. Acetone is common in fingernail polish remover. I've tried cleaning plastic reels without a great outcome. Brake Cleaner is really nasty methylene chloride etc. It's great at cleaning car parts.
Could try some Goo Gone, Limonene is an extract of citrus peels and it is a very potent degreaser .
Maybe just try some good old soft Bon Ami and take it slow and safe. This was always the recommended cleaner by Kodak, Pako, Nikor for SS tanks and dryers.

gone · May 22, 2016

Try acetone or ethyl alcohol if the baking soda, water, and vinegar don't work. Don't mix them together, avoid plastic, and don't mix them w/ bleach. Do use gloves, eye protection and a fan.

Photo Engineer · May 23, 2016

The stains are an oxidized organic base that can be removed by a strong organic acid. Try concentrated white vinegar right off the shelf or try citric acid (sour salt) from the grocer. Apply and let soak. Then wash.

PE

mshchem · May 23, 2016

Photo Engineer said:
The stains are an oxidized organic base that can be removed by a strong organic acid. Try concentrated white vinegar right off the shelf or try citric acid (sour salt) from the grocer. Apply and let soak. Then wash.

PE

Will citric acid work on discolored Jobo plastic reels?

Photo Engineer · May 23, 2016

Yes, but remember that this is not a total solution. Some of the stain is a polymer. That may not come off.

PE

E Samson · Sep 17, 2017

Photo Engineer said:
Yes, but remember that this is not a total solution. Some of the stain is a polymer. That may not come off.

PE

Hi. I'm writing from the future. Impressive answer. Loved it. May I ask, I have a Blix stain on a shirt and nothing seems to get it out. Any suggestions?

MattKing · Sep 17, 2017

E Samson said:
I have a Blix stain on a shirt and nothing seems to get it out. Any suggestions?

Welcome to PHOTRIO.
Good luck with the stain, but I wouldn't hold out too much hope.

Prof_Pixel · Sep 17, 2017

E Samson said:
I have a Blix stain on a shirt and nothing seems to get it out. Any suggestions?

Seems to me that back in the day when I was working on blixes at EK, I used to use oxalic acid to remove the iron stains. Does this sound OK PE?

georgegrosu · Sep 17, 2017

Those working in film processing laboratories have often been dirty the dressing gown with developer solutions.
If you do not wash or rinse with water immediately the dressing gown, you will not have the chance to move the stain.
It's a joke.
The developer spots on the robe are only removed with scissors.
When it comes to bathtubs (enamelized) with photo solutions, they can be wholly bleached with various chemical solutions (oxidants) but will attack the enamel of the bath.
The bathroom will become porous and dirty very quickly.
Think to applying a new enamel to the bathtub.

George

Photo Engineer · Sep 17, 2017

EDTA (acid) or oxalic acid or really any good chelating agent will do the trick.

Be careful though, these are acids.

PE

Help! C41 developer stains in my bathtub

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