Making 18% sodium sulfite solution

[Fintan]

For clearing Polaroid Type 55

The last time I made it, it was gritty and didnt dissolve properly. Can anyone please post [foolproof :rolleyes:] instructions how to make up 2 litres.

Thanks

Fintan

 

[Nick Zentena]

360 grams of sodium sulfite
1640 ml of water

Stir? I guess you could warm the water.

 

[Robert Hall]

I think what Nick meant to say was add water to make 2 liters as there isnt a 1 to 1 diplacement of sulfite to water.

And like he said, warm it up to 80F or there abouts and stir.

 

[Robert Hall]

keep in mind, that it doesnt have to be exactly 18%. It just needs enough to clear the chems off the film.

Wash for 5 minutes afterward as well.

 

[Black Dog]

Always give it a good stir-sodium sulphite can be a right PIA to dissolve sometimes.

 

[Doug Webb]

I gave up on the recommended solution because it never worked well for me. I have used Heico Permawash at the standard dilution recommended on the bottle for washing film, it works very well for me, no problems mixing, clears the negative both more quickly and more effectively, and I haven't had any problems with Polaroid 55 negatives being more prone to damage. This is a solution that has been recommended on a number of threads on APUG and elsewhere. If you are concerned about experimenting with it on a really important negative, just shoot a test negative and give it a try.
Doug Webb

 

[BradS]

Kodak's Hypo Clearing agent works well too.

 

[Trask]

Check out Ansel Adam's book on Polaroid Photography -- he provides a formula that hardens the film as it clears. I've used it, with good results.