Pink Hydroquinone

[JPD]

My 10+ plus year old Hydroquinone has turned light pink, and I wonder if it's still usable? I have Metol of the same age, and it's still white.

 

[Gerald C Koch]

In a well sealed jar hydroquinone will keep for decades. I have some that has taken on a slight violet-gray color after 50 years.

 

[JPD]

In a well sealed jar hydroquinone will keep for decades. I have some that has taken on a slight violet-gray color after 50 years.

And it's still usable?

 

[Photo Engineer]

HQ, when bad is greenish and has a strong odor. When it starts to go bad it is blue green.

PE

 

[Gerald C Koch]

Yes, very much so. I use it all the time. The discoloration appears to be only on the surface of the crystals.

 

[Photo Engineer]

It causes no harm unless the quinone builds up to the point that either solids remain in the developer or activity is reduced. It can also use up sulfite.

Never heard of pink HQ.

PE

 

[JPD]

Thanks for the replies! I will continue using it, and I may take a picture of the pink crystals when I visit my darkroom next time.