Plastic reels : wipe'em or let'em dry?

Pat Erson · Dec 5, 2008

Hello APUGers,

I've been reading and learning from this great site for months and now is the time to post my 1st question...
This thread (there was a url link here which no longer exists)
prompted me to ask you this : is it really necessary to carefully wipe each reel with a dry towel or can I rinse it and let it dry on the sink?

I used to go the "wipe" route but it has become a chore so now I'd like to choose the "let it dry" option. BUT I am afraid this is the best way to let gunk grow on the reels. Can you please tell me what you do and why?
Thanks!

bobwysiwyg · Dec 5, 2008

I disassemble them, clean them, rinse thoroughly then shake them vigorously and let them dry on a paper towel. Never had problems with this procedure.

MikeSeb · Dec 5, 2008

I just give them a good rinse and let them air dry. About once a month or so I go over them well with a dish brush and Ivory liquid detergent, and another good rinse. Never had any gunk problems. I use a Jobo, which means that each reel is getting rinsed pretty good during the Jobo wash cycle. Biggest concern would be wetting agent, which I submerge the loaded reel into after washing the film on it. But so far no accumulation or sticking.

Only reason you'd need to dry them meticulously is if you plan to reuse one right away. ANY water at all on the reels will likely cause your film to stick. This is usually discovered at the least opportune time.

Pat Erson · Dec 5, 2008

Thx for the "yes go the lazy way" replies (just kidding). I have 100 135 rolls to do and NOW i know I can do the job before the end of the year
(am I the only one who doesn't feel fine when I walk into a year with exposed films from the previous year still unprocessed? I think I need a shrink... LOL)

Philippe-Georges · Dec 6, 2008

When I am in a hurry, this is what I do : after a good wash in warm water, I shake them well and put them, assembled on the centre rod and set for 120 film, on an old computer fan (rack blower) running when placed on a electric radiator set on low. They are dry in 15 minutes.

Philippe

Ian Grant · Dec 6, 2008

For fast turnaround I tap them to remove all the water droplets, then use a cloth to wipe them as dry as I can then a quick blow with a hair dryer, and I have reels I can use again in less than 5 minutes. If not in a hurry I tap the water off and leave to dry naturally.

Ian

Martin Aislabie · Dec 6, 2008

Make sure your reels are properly dry before you start trying to reload

Trying to load film onto damp reels is an absolute nightmare.

Also make sure your reels are properly washed to remove all traces of any wetting agent as otherwise it can build up over time and give you uneven development.

Have fun

Martin

Pat Erson · Dec 6, 2008

Many thanks for the additional replies.
For some reason the burden of wiping each and every part of my tank (8 reels x2 (once they are disambled) plus the 4 elements of the tank itself) had started to obsess me... I've tried the "let them dry" option and life's easier now
Martin do you have a recipe to avoid a build-up of Photoflo ont he reels. I would gladly give my reels a CLA (so to speak) every year but I don't know how to do it... Diluted bleach maybe?

Ian Grant · Dec 6, 2008

Soak in washing powder, the biological variety is good, I use an old toothbrush to clean the actual grooves, then I bleach in quite strong hypochlorite for an hour or so. Finally wash & dry.

You get a build up of gelatin on the spirals from the wet film, that attracts all sorts of contamination over time. Many of my spirals are 30+ years old, all over 20

Ian

Alexander Ghaffari · Dec 6, 2008

In lab, we always air dry everything,though that could be because we are always running around.

Stew · Dec 6, 2008

Take them apart, wash them in warm water,and let them air dry. Make sure to rinse the little ball bearings good,as this can lead to film not loading if they get sticky.

wiltw · Dec 6, 2008

Rather than plastic reels, the stainless steel reels don't have to be so bone dry when loading them shortly after use.

Martin Aislabie · Dec 6, 2008

I always reassemble my tanks and reels then thoroughly re-wash the whole lot after hanging the films up to dry.

Never let wetting agent dry on your spirals or tank, it can be a real pain to get off once dried on.

Other than that, follow Ians advice of scrubbing the spirals with a toothbrush and biological clothes washing powder (eats the gelatine), followed by a long soak with occasional agitation using a hot domestic bleach sol'n (eats just about anything) and finally a prolonged rinse with lots of hot water.
There is an old saying Cleanliness in next to Godliness" it is very true in the darkroom.

Have fun

Martin

Anscojohn · Dec 6, 2008

When cleaning up, I would scrub them with Bar Keeper's friend on a round kitchen brush on a handle, using plenty of water until I am sure all residue is gone. Then air dry them on a darkroom towel.

Phillip P. Dimor · Dec 6, 2008

I always shook them off and let them dry.. Never really wiped them down.
I switched to stainless, haven't used a plastic reel in over 5 years. I'll never go back but that's a different thread.

Even to this day, this is how I dry my film. Shake it while it's still on the reel. Really flick the water off, then hang the film up.

I've also flicked film (36exp. rolls usually) like a whip but that was when I was careless. It is fun though.

ozphoto · Dec 6, 2008

I too take my plastic reels apart after processing, usually I rinse with warm water, but every month or so I scrub with an old tooth brush as well. Then I let them air dry. I've found that if I get any residue buildup (on very rare occasions), I use leftover toothpaste on the toothbrush and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Cleans away the grime easily. Again I take them apart to do this and let them air dry afterward.

Bob F. · Dec 6, 2008

Just don't let the wetting agent dry on them. Remove the film from the reels and drop the empty reels back in the wetting agent. When all the film is hung to dry I dump the wetting agent and rinse the tanks and reels well in hot running water. Disassemble the reels, shake/tap off surplus water and leave to dry.

Plastic reels : wipe'em or let'em dry?

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