How Do I Clean Pec-12 Residue off My Neg?

[marcmarc]

Hi Everyone,
While printing today I discovered a single strand of hair that was stuck on the emulsion side of one of my 6x7 negs. It would not come off with the hurricane blower I usually use to blow off negs before inserting them into the enlarger. So I took a cotton Q-tip and spritzed some Pec-12 cleaner on it and swabbed the area. The good news is the hair came off, the bad news is I either had too much cleaner or I rubbed too hard and I now have a oval shaped residue on the neg that shows up in the print. What would be the best way (if any) to clean this? This is a frame on a strip of three so I imagine I will have to soak in photo flo and let it dry for a few hours. I don't mind, it is kind of an important neg. Thanks for replies.

 

[Chris Lange]

You may find that actually using some more PEC-12 will bring it back into solution and rid you of your problem...I've never had this issue with PEC-12 though, and I'm pretty liberal in my application of it when I have a neg that needs it.

 

[bsdunek]

Same here, I've been impressed with PEC-12. I would say clean it again, but be gentle, it is just film.

 

[cramej]

You definitely need to be careful rubbing too hard with PEC-12. It will take the emulsion off of prints and film. You will probably want to check on a light table or with a loupe to make sure you didn't remove some of the emulsion.

 

[marcmarc]

Thanks for the replies. I'll try re-cleaning it again. I did look closely and I don't think I rubbed off any of the emulsion but I may have added a scratch...it was hard to tell because in the time that the liquid was drying some dust appears to have settled on it. In the print this area shows up as a oval shaped patch of gray in a different shade of the actual neg along with a darker edge around it. I was thinking maybe dipping it in rubbing alcohol but I'll try another application of PEC-12.

 

[summicron1]

next time may i gently suggest just re-washing the whole neg instead of chemical cleaners....if a hair is stuck, even just by water residue, taking it off any other way is going to leave a mark.

 

[George Collier]

I agree with Summicron - rewash next time.