Permawash: how long does it last?

[Tom1956]

Thanks. You've answered my question. No, I know about the ammonia/peroxide after-treatment and it's variants. Maybe I'll compromise with myself and buy Kodak HCA and spoon out powder as I need it and hope for homogeneity of the powder and throw out this Heico Perma Wash that I always was suspicious of. I didn't jump on that train for a long time. Back in the day, it was the cat's pajamas among the "in" crowd. I was never very "in" with that ilk, truth be known. Perma Wash and koolaid seemed to be favorites among certain photographic circles in that day. I always tended to rely on what the scientists at Kodak had tested and marketed.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Kodak Hypo Test solution HT-1a can be used to check for the presence of residual hypo in prints. You can therefore check the usefulness of various clearing agents.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

yes, butI think ,I't's quicker and safer just to mix fresh washing aid.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

THAT'S WHAT I'VE DONE FOR YEARS.

 

[dynachrome]

For many years my practice has been to use the Perma Wash with film but to rinse for longer than Heico recommends. When rinsing film you also have to consider the type of fixer which was used. The non-hardening fixer is supposed to rinse out more readily. There are plenty of threads about modern films being sufficiently hardened so that hardening fixer is not required. Lately I have been using C-41 fixer diluted 1:3 with water. When the working solution is fresh it clears the film in 1:45 at 68F. I use a starting time of 4 minutes and test the leader for each new roll. I also filter the working solution on its way back into the bottle. I have always found Kodak HCA inconvenient because of the odd volume it makes up. Some people mix it with a smaller volume of water than recommended and then dilute it just before using it. I bought a new container of C-41 fixer yesterday and it now has both the RA-4 and C-41 markings.