Problem with AZO bubbling on mount...

[User Removed]

Hopefully someone can help me out with this serious problem! I am using AZO paper, and dry mounting it too Artcare 4ply board using various drymount tissue (Seal MT5, Color Mount, Arisa Drymount). A few days after dry mounting, my prints start to get large air bubbles below the print! I heat press the board and print at 220 before drymounting, then usually drymount for 2-3 minutes on 220 degrees then use a cold metal weight too cold press the print. My prints are stored flat, in a cool (78degree) room.

In a few days, air bubbles start appearing on the prints and I have to get rid of them! They are not exposed to heat, sun, moisture, or anything of the sorts. Has anyone else had this problem with single weight AZO?

Thanks for your help.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

You might test your press to see if the temperature is what it says it is. My guess is that it may be too high. Also try leaving the weight on longer.

 

[Alan Davenport]

I use a Seal Jumbo 160M set at 200F. My 8x10 prints are mounted on 14x18 4-ply board and I press them for 2 minutes. I have yet to have any of the problems you are describing.

Alan

 

[colivet]

I go up to 190-200 degrees for a minute to two, no more, no problems yet.

 

[Donald Miller]

220 degrees is too high for Color Mount

 

[noseoil]

Ryan, color mount is not going to take than amount of heat and time. I'm using 190f and have the backing of the print up against the platten with a sheet of board under the print for an even press. Do some tests if this press is at PC's darkroom. I think you are squezing the print too long. Get a kitchen thermometer and test your setting. Also using old box of Kodak dry mount tissue (shellac?), the color mount doesn't seem to be as good as this stuff. No problems with azo or J&C warmtone at 320g weight. tim

 

[Donsta]

I do not like color mount and it is quite temperature sensitive. 220 is definitely to hot for it. Definitely do not believe the thermometer on your press - $5 kitchen thermometers are much more reliable. Get hold of some buffer mount - it is the latest archival mounting tissue from Seal and is much more temperature tolerant. I use it at 170 and would leave an 11x14 in for about 3 minutes.

 

[c6h6o3]

I've got most of a 100 sheet packet of MT5 left. I think I'll take out a rider on my homeowners' insurance policy for it.

 

[User Removed]

Thank for everyones help. Im going to check the temp on the press I use, and lower the temp down as well. I will also shorten my pressing times.

It is just odd how the print looks beautiful when it is mounted, but then a few days later it starts to get air bubbles on it! Again, I do not store them in the sun, heat, or moist area. I keep my house about 78-80 degrees.

Thanks again.

 

[glbeas]

Next time around try baking the board in the press for ten or fifteen minutes beforehand. There may be moisture trapped in the board.

 

[Alex Hawley]

Ryan,
Try some Kodak dry mounting tissue. Its a low temp tissue like the Seal Color mount but I have yet to have a problem with it.

Alex

 

[Michael A. Smith]

With Color Mount: 200 degrees for 30 seconds. No weight needed on top afterwards. We use two pieces 4-ply bristol board between platen and photo and one underneath. Bristol board, made by Strathmore is the smoothest board there is. Since MT5 was discontinued and Paula and I started using Color Mount we have not had the slightest problem.

 

[User Removed]

Thank you Michael. I think my problem was over cooking the print. At 220 for 2-3 minutes, that seems way too long. I will take your suggestion and see how things come out. Thank you again.

 

[photobum]

I use only MT5 and found that happening only with Azo. All my double weight papers mounted fine. Single weight Azo takes some testing. I was mounting it to cool. Do check the temp. IMHO color mount sucks.

 

[User Removed]

After doing a little reseach, I found that it is happening on the prints that I use the Color Mount and MT5 only. The arista tissue is too thick and really gummy when tacking it.

I used to use Seal paper, I think it was called...so I am going to try some of that. I cannot afford to keep wasting all these prints and mounts on defective mounting tissue. I have NEVER had this problem my whole life of photography, so its really upsetting!

Thanks

 

[Peter Schrager]

Buffer Mount

Ditto(as in sucks) for buffer mount altough I never tried the color mount. It's really nice that they took MT-5 away and replaced it with "new" products that cost about 2x as
much. Seem like these newer tissues are formulated with the idea of possible removal at some point in time?? Cooler temps and different materials. Just speculating.....
Best, Peter

 

[Donald Miller]

I have used Color Mount for twenty five years. I disagree with those who dislike the material. I mount at a temperature of 190-195 for thirty seconds and have never had a print fail to mount.