How long does Polytoner last?

[mjs]

I got a lot of misc. items from an estate sale today, including a 32 oz. bottle of Kodak Polytoner. It appears to be unopened. I have no idea how old it is; the only clue is that it has a price tag of US$3.95 on it. It's in a dark brown glass bottle with a metal screw top. Any idea whether it would still be any good?

Mike

 

[brianmquinn]

Kodak published the formula for Polytoner a few years ago. If I recall correctly they said the shelf life was 2 years for the date of making it up. In a glass bottle it will last longer then in modern plastic bottles. Give it a try. It may tone nicely even if it does not give classic polytoner color.

 

[brianmquinn]

Kodak formula
http://www.kodak.com/global/plugins/acrobat/en/service/chemicals/CIS268.pdf

 

[erikg]

I've got some very old bottles that still work great. I don't know what the official shelf life is, but I've never seen any go bad. If there isn't any sludge indicating separation you should be good. The stuff stinks to high heaven and is dark yellow normally.