How to clean a film?

[davdesmo]

Hi all, this is my first post in Apug so excuse me if somewhere in the forum someone already wrote about this problem.

I've found some films in a room, that was hanged in open air for a lot of time, so they are covered of dust. The film are Kodak EBX and the attached picture is a scan of the film.

How can I clean the film?
I think water, can someone suggest something better?

Many thanks

 

[Ian Grant]

Well, when I used to restore prints and negatives my first step was to stabilise (re-harden) them first. Stabilisers have hardeners and with colour films are the last process stage.

So I'd get some stabiliser soak the film in it for 5-10 minutes, then gently wash the film, I'd use a very soft camel hair brush to help remove the dust, rinse and stabilise again with fresh solution before hanging to dry.

If they are found negatives, not precious, I'd just wash then carefully.

Ian

 

[Michael W]

Kodak recommends 98% Isopropyl

 

[Bruce Watson]

First, blow off as much of the dust/dirt as you can without touching the film.

Then, use a film cleaner (e.g. Pec 12, SDS film cleaner, etc.). Anything water based, or containing water, will make the emulsion swell and soften. This in turn makes it much more susceptible to scratching. So... no water.

Use a cloth designed for this, like a scanner wipe or a Pec Pad. Do not scrub -- scrubbing back and forth is an excellent way to scratch film. Instead, start at one end of the film and wipe to the other end with one continuous motion, rotating the pad as you go to left the dirt up and away from the film.

It's not as hard as it sounds. Repeat as necessary.

 

[davdesmo]

Many thanks