Hypo clearing question

[kevin klein]

How long to wash a salt or albumen print before and after clearing, and what strength of sodium sulfite and how long in the clearing solution? Thanks.

 

[NedL]

I've read many different answers.
For salt prints I use 1% sodium sulfite for 3 minutes followed by at least an hour of washing.
I agitate the sodium sulfite gently and the wash is occasional agitation ( every 5 or 10 minutes ) in changes of water.

That's not based on any testing, just based on what I've read. Some of the early salt prints that have survived the best came from printers who tended to use long washes ( even days! ). A few kinds of paper can't take such a long wash: Strathmore 500 2-ply Bristol will separate, and some waterleaf papers will fall apart.

 

[pdeeh]

I think its important to test.
There are so many variables, especially all the different types of paper and size people use, I can't see how there can be one simple answer.
If you're making salt prints, then you already have some of what you need - Silver nitrate.
Make up a solution of Kodak HT-2 tester (google or search APUG for the formula - very simple, just silver nitrate, distilled water and acetic acid) and test your washing regime yourself.

PS Formula for HT-2 on this (useful) page: http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Archival/archival.html