Neg Developing reel trick (Paterson Users)

dustym · Jan 15, 2006

I had a problem with film feeding poorly and bunching on the reel,
The tip is after a few processes put the reel in the dishwasher on 35 degrees or a 40 degrees wash in the washing machine ( of course with a load as well), I tried it and the reel works great.
Apparantly you get sticky residue from the wetting agents and other chems that dont wash off and can cause a sticky film on the reel surface.

Magnus · Jan 15, 2006

I always put my patterson reels, lids and tanks in the dishwasher after use. I have used them without problems now for over 350 films.

I use both the 5 and 3 reel tanks and develop 35mm as well as 120 film.

titrisol · Jan 15, 2006

i clean it with my mom-in-law toothbrush every 10 rolls or so
when the residue is too bad, baking soda paste takes it out and leaves the plastic shining.

GeneW · Jan 15, 2006

I'm still using some Paterson reels I purchased 30 yrs ago. They've yellowed a bit but work fine. The trick, IMO, is continuous but simple maintenance. After each dev session, I draw warm water into the kitchen sink and add just a little dish detergent. I let the reels soak for awhile, swish them around a bit in the water, rinse them thoroughly in warm water, shake them vigorously to remove excess water, then let them dry in the dish rack overnight. Seems to work.

Gene

Wayne Frederick · Jan 15, 2006

To clean my Patterson reels if I am pressed for time and want to use a dirty reel right away, I flatten the end of a cotton swab (Q-tip) with a hammer, dip it in rubbing alcohol, and run it through the whole length of the groove in both halves of the reel. I repeat this process if I feel it is necessary. The alcohol evaporates quickly, leaving the reel ready for use.

Oren Grad · Jan 15, 2006

I also have Paterson reels that I've been using for 25 years. The only maintenance I do is to rinse the reels briefly in plain tap water after each use, and I've never had a problem.

Spooky · Jan 18, 2006

dustym said:
I had a problem with film feeding poorly and bunching on the reel,
The tip is after a few processes put the reel in the dishwasher on 35 degrees or a 40 degrees wash in the washing machine ( of course with a load as well), I tried it and the reel works great.
Apparantly you get sticky residue from the wetting agents and other chems that dont wash off and can cause a sticky film on the reel surface.

I used to have this problem as well.
I now run a carpenters pencil around the reel grooves each time I develop a film and have never had a problem since.

FrankB · Jan 18, 2006

Oren Grad said:
I also have Paterson reels that I've been using for 25 years. The only maintenance I do is to rinse the reels briefly in plain tap water after each use, and I've never had a problem.

Same technique, five years, no worries.

gnashings · Jan 18, 2006

The biggest issue I have had is with brand new reels - and not much at that. The older ones are actually nicer, a little looser. I used to clean them with a tooth-brush, but now I just take them apart (I think they all come apart, right?) and rinse each half under running water and set aside to dry - no problems. The only issue i have had is if the reels don't dry properly and there is still some water in the grooves, it seemed to have caused some slight marks on the edges of films. Now I make sure they are dry and no problems at all.
The only tip I have applies to 35mm films: when cutting off the leaders I add two 45 deg cutes to take off the corners. This has eliminated any sticking, jamming issues that occasionally popped up.

Peter.

FrankB · Jan 18, 2006

gnashings said:
The only tip I have applies to 35mm films: when cutting off the leaders I add two 45 deg cutes to take off the corners.

Ah Peter, if only I could find a couple of 45 degree cutes! I found a 90 degree cute once, but it turned out she was too square...!

Actually that's not a bad tip. I'll be trying that on my next process run, thank you.

gnashings · Jan 18, 2006

Heheheheee! What's your angle on it? Was it a Freudian slip - I may have cuteness issues!

vet173 · Jan 18, 2006

Oren Grad said:
I also have Paterson reels that I've been using for 25 years. The only maintenance I do is to rinse the reels briefly in plain tap water after each use, and I've never had a problem.

Same here for the same amount of time. I do like the Mom-in-law toothbrush idea though.

Neg Developing reel trick (Paterson Users)

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