Pt/Pd print yellow stain

devecchi · May 21, 2023

One of my Pt/Pd prints from 2002 shows some yellow stain, I assume iron salts not completely removed. At the time, 3 baths of 2% sodium sulphite were recommended as a clarifier, they were certainly not enough .... I tried to remedy this with: 3% citric acid followed by 3% disodium EDTA and 2% sodium sulphite, final washing for 40 minutes. Result: 70% but not all stains removed. I tried a diluted bath with 3% hydrogen peroxide and it improved a little. Now I've decided to put the print overnight in a 2% sodium sulphite solution + 1 tablespoon citric acid + 1 tablespoon disodium EDTA....pure alchemy. The paper is Arches Platine and so far it bears these stresses well. We see. Suggestions are welcome. Thank you

jeffreyg · May 21, 2023

Is the stain in the print or past the border?

Sirius Glass · May 21, 2023

Tongs? Gloves? Hands? Fingers?

devecchi · May 21, 2023

The Yellow spot is extended almost everywhere, if l remember correctly l had made a double coating, therefore more Pt/PD but above more iron present. An hour ago l removed the print from the clarifier bath because the seal washing "collapsing": excessive swelling. Washed and hung to dry. Tomorrow morning when it's dry l'll have the....ruling and l'll let you know the outcome of this new and trouble journey.

pschwart · May 21, 2023

The clearing regimen now recommended by Pradip Malde for all pt/pd (not just POP):

Platinotype Instructions - Pradip Malde

Platinotype Instructions Also known as The Ammonium Print-out method or the Malde-Ware methodThis document was written by Pradip Malde, Sewanee, Tennessee, USA and Mike Ware, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK Last edited in March, 2019 We share this work freely, and only ask that the authors (Pradip Malde...

pradipmalde.com

Scroll down to "XI. Wet Processing Procedure".

These is a full discussion of clearing workflows test results in
Platinotype: Making Photographs in Platinum and Palladium with the Contemporary Printing-out Process (Malde and Ware).

devecchi · May 21, 2023

Thanks, l know this site, but my problem is now a bit complex as it is an intervention that for me represents an unknown factor given that it is restoration for which l do not know the correct procedure. I'm going by trial and error.... hoping that a favorable result, as well as making me recover the print, can be shared with others.

nmp · May 22, 2023

devecchi said:
Thanks, l know this site, but my problem is now a bit complex as it is an intervention that for me represents an unknown factor given that it is restoration for which l do not know the correct procedure. I'm going by trial and error.... hoping that a favorable result, as well as making me recover the print, can be shared with others.

If only Steichen divulged his procedure for treating Stieglitz's palladium photographs...may be some clue found here:

JAIC 1995, Volume 34, Number 1, Article 1 (pp. 1 to 10)

Conjecture was bleach (clacium hypochlorite.)

Have you also considered oxalic acid?

:Niranjan.

faberryman · May 22, 2023

The article linked to contains a reference to Constance McCabe's analysis of Steichen's treatment of Steiglitz's platinum prints which appears in Platinum and Palladium Photographs- Technical History, Connoisseurship, and Preservation, which I highly recommend to practitioners of platinum and palladium printing.

jeffreyg · May 22, 2023

Was the yellow stain there in 2002 when you originally made the print? You may be causing more harm to the print with your efforts to remove it. Try emailing Bostick and Sullivan explaining the issue. They have always answered my questions. Bleach was mentioned above --- a weak solution of bleach followed by a weak solution of hcl may lighten it but be ready to quickly stop the reaction. Maybe cut a small piece of the paper to experiment with instead of ruining the print. Just some thoughts. Probably easier to make a new print.

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devecchi · May 22, 2023

No, l notice the yellow spot after removing print from the frame, they weren't present in 2002. After most 30 year's of the PtPd process l stopped practicing it 2 year ago, l sold all the materials, salt's and papers and therefore l could not the printing again... which today is much improved, some small residues remained but l don't want to intervene anymore because the paper has been too stressed and the internal sizing is a little compromised, however when dry it is very solid and the image is not damaged. I did the test with Sodium hypochlorite two days ago with a strip of paper edge is abundant and work quite well, but l'm not a chemist and the question is: does hypochlorite only whiten or remove iron as well?

jeffreyg · May 22, 2023

I’m not sure. I have done some minor bleaching on specific areas by brushing on the bleach and then the hcl over it and then hosing with water to stop the process. I would then wash as when doing a print I never liked doing it so I only do when necessary. But since you say it has been under glass for twenty-one years maybe it was the framing materials that caused the problem You might consider spraying it with something like Moab desert varnish to protect it. I have pt/pd prints framed with acid free mats and 8 ply window cover mats. So far no noticeable changes.

devecchi · May 22, 2023

I share your observation. The print was framed in contact with the glass and without a passpartout, and on the back the framer had put a vulgar cardboard. In recent years I have framed my own prints by placing a sheets of 100% acid free cotton paper a sheet of mylar on the back. Let's hope so. Keep in mind that in those years there was not much information on the treatment of Pt/PD prints and the old books talked about clarification with hydrochloric acid which did not always work with all papers. To give you and example, I was desperately looking for a paper that would work and after spending so much money on this search, by chance in a stationary shop in Milan I bought and tried a finely made Sholler paper ( fine cellulose ) which gave me magnificent prints with a slightly warm tone, clarified with hydrochloric acid, which are still perfect today.....then Sholler changed the composition of the dough and the results were disastrous. Very adventurous route.

jeffreyg · May 22, 2023

It sounds like it was due to the framing not your technique. Perhaps someone at a museum can give you some input. But if the image is okay you can reframe it with the proper materials Milan has such resources I’m sure.
One of my favorite cities.

devecchi · May 22, 2023

Thanks everyone for the replies.

devecchi · May 25, 2023

I didn't feel satisfied to still have small residues of OF3 in the print, so I insisted with a further treatment:

Edta disodium 30 gr.

Sodium sulphite anhydrous 25 gr.

Demineralized water 1 litre

Print treatment 40'

Washing 40'

This treatment repeated 2 times. Final result: no OF3 residue in the print. Very good hold of the Arches Platine.

Pt/Pd print yellow stain

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