How do you clean SS tanks & reels?

[chip j]

I have some used ones w/crud on them that won't rinse off. I used to soak them in a bucket of solution, but I don't remember what the solution was. Thanks

 

[bdial]

A light scrub with very fine Scotch-Brite should take care of it. Fine steel wool would work too, but Scotch-Brite is easier to work with. I would use 000 or 00 grade which is much finer than the coarse green stuff sold for dishes, either should be available at a good hardware store, maybe the home centers.

 

[btaylor]

I had some very ugly color developer and blix stains/residue in an old processor, the only thing I found would work to clean them was toilet bowl cleaner.

 

[Arklatexian]

I have some used ones w/crud on them that won't rinse off. I used to soak them in a bucket of solution, but I don't remember what the solution was. Thanks

After rinsing them thoroughly, I boil mine, especially if I think that some wetting agent (PhotoFlo) may have gotten into them. After boiling them, I take them out of the boiling water while still hot. They then dry almost immediately. I only do this if I think some PhotoFlo may have, inadvertently, been added while film was still on the reel, in or out of the tank. I have a "graduate" strictly for PhotoFlo and nothing else. Immerse film in there after removing it from the reel. I try not to invite "problems" in the darkroom and according to Jobo, that IS one and not just on "plastic" reels and tanks..........Regards!

 

[Pentode]

I use plain ol’ liquid dish soap and hot water. For crusties and crud like the OP describes I’ll use a Brillo pad and follow with dish soap and water.

 

[wiltw]

Bar Keeper's Friend cleans very nicely and is very kind to stainless steel even those used for food preparation

 

[Sirius Glass]

After rinsing them thoroughly, I boil mine, especially if I think that some wetting agent (PhotoFlo) may have gotten into them. After boiling them, I take them out of the boiling water while still hot. They then dry almost immediately. I only do this if I think some PhotoFlo may have, inadvertently, been added while film was still on the reel, in or out of the tank. I have a "graduate" strictly for PhotoFlo and nothing else. Immerse film in there after removing it from the reel. I try not to invite "problems" in the darkroom and according to Jobo, that IS one and not just on "plastic" reels and tanks..........Regards!

That is why after washing, I remove the film from the reel and immerse the film in a plastic tube with PhotoFlo.

I use Bar Keeper's Friend for cleaning the stainless steel sink and the heavy lifting.

 

[What About Bob]

I've used a drop or two of Dawn with hot water for the tanks and reels and warm water for the lids. I have even used diluted distilled white vinegar for the tanks and reels followed by hot water rinses afterward.

 

[mshchem]

A light scrub with very fine Scotch-Brite should take care of it. Fine steel wool would work too, but Scotch-Brite is easier to work with. I would use 000 or 00 grade which is much finer than the coarse green stuff sold for dishes, either should be available at a good hardware store, maybe the home centers.

Scotch Brite is fine. Using steel wool on stainless will cause the stainless steel to rust.

 

[mshchem]

I had some very ugly color developer and blix stains/residue in an old processor, the only thing I found would work to clean them was toilet bowl cleaner.

This sounds like a very good idea. Back in the good old days Kodak sold a mixture of potassium dichromate and sulfuric acid. The chrome made for a very toxic waste and hazard to handle. I've heard of mixing ammonium persulfate with conc. Sulfuric acid as a substitute for the chrome acid.
I buy ZEP acid toilet bowl cleaner in gallon bottles, pretty strong stuff, who wants to handle conc sulfuric!

 

[Randy Stewart]

Wow, if you have to boil SS reels to remove Photoflo residue, then you are using way too much Photoflo concentrate to mix your working solution. Followong a recommendation from 40 years ago, I mix Photoflo working solution at one-half the concentration recommended by Kodak. I have no spotting on my film and no residue build-up on either SS or plastic reels. I flush my reels in warm water immediately after processing - no problems of the sort suggested here.

 

[maxwellmakoski]

Id let it stay for a few hours in isopropyl if you really can't get the crud off any other way. I give em a quick rinse in cold water after use they hold up fine never had any buildup or any problems, then again I use them everyday so that may play into it.

 

[CMoore]

Good old paint thinner will dissolve most sticky residue with ease.......

 

[voceumana]

I have not used it, but methylene chloride is often used in very strong paint/varnish removers.. Be sure to use in a well ventilated area.

Bon Ami is, I suspect, the same thing as Bar Keeper's Friend--mild abrasive powder--which might be cheaper or easier to find.

Use either Scotch-Brite (as suggested), but not steel wool, as the steel wool particles will imbed in the SS materials and cause rust.

 

[Mal Paso]

Dilute nitric acid was the recommended cleaner back in the day. I had a small fortune invested in Nikkor.

 

[guangong]

Around the corner from my house a building devoted to chemistry was undergoing reconstruction. I wandered in after vacated but before demolition and was able to salvage several useful items. Among them were a couple gallons of a cleaner made for cleaning stainless steel laboratory equipment. That was about 40 yrs ago. Label only says stainless steer cleaner and doesn’t list what it’s made of, but used so sparingly I still have a gallon left.
Reading the above contributions, Bar Keepers Friend sounds like the best solution. Best used while enjoying a cocktail!

 

[GRHazelton]

I've had good luck with a dishwasher. It helps to have an understanding spouse.

 

[MattKing]

If you are going to use a dishwasher - and I use one for plastic reels - then make sure that there isn't any rinse aid in it, and it doesn't use a high temperature drying cycle (more important for plastic reels).

 

[Arklatexian]

Wow, if you have to boil SS reels to remove Photoflo residue, then you are using way too much Photoflo concentrate to mix your working solution. Followong a recommendation from 40 years ago, I mix Photoflo working solution at one-half the concentration recommended by Kodak. I have no spotting on my film and no residue build-up on either SS or plastic reels. I flush my reels in warm water immediately after processing - no problems of the sort suggested here.

From what I have read and been told, any concentration of "PhotoFlo or equiv" is too much. It is not to keep it from "building-up" it is to keep it from affecting the developer when you develop film and some could carry-over into your stop and fixer. It is easier to just not let it get into the tank and use it on the film AFTER it has left the tank and reel. Also, I am not too sure that boiling will get rid of PhotoFlo but I do know that hot water will dissolve other chemical residues so I boil mine. However, that is in MY darkroom. What you do in your darkroom is your business.........Regards!

 

[Bikerider]

There is nothing wrong with good old household bleach. mix with water at around 1-4 solution and let them stand overnight with the reel inside the tank. No more work just go and have a beer and relax.

 

[Neal]

Photo Flo is not an issue. My current reels are decades old, I use it every time and there are no ill effects. A quick rinse in hot water is all that is necessary.

 

[removed account4]

soft toothbrush, baking soda+hot water