RA-4 chems shelf life?

Gabe · Jun 14, 2020

Hello!

I am back with another newbie question. I just bought the Arista RA-4 chemical set and was wondering how long the shelf life of this product is when it is mixed.

koraks · Jun 14, 2020

Haven't used the Arista chemistry, but when storing the developer, store it in entirely full bottles that are impermeable to oxygen. PET is fine, glass is of course ideal. If oxygen can reach the developer, it'll die a whole lot faster than if you prevent this. I personally use my RA4 developer replenished and the same batch has been with me for something like 2.5 years now - of course, it's been completely replaced many times over by now through replenishment. But I have never had to discard the entire batch and start over.

If you don't replenish, under optimal conditions, I think you may be able to get a few weeks or perhaps 2-3 months (tops) of use out of your developer if you're lucky. Unused, it may last longer as you can keep it locked away from air. If you want to maximize shelf life, store the concentrates separately, away from air, and unmixed with water. Only mix what you need for use and/or replenishment.

So short answer...it depends.
You know your developer is dead if you get significant color shifts (especially magenta) or reduced dmax (bluish blacks).

Wayne · Jun 14, 2020

I've used full bottles of mixed, unused RA-4 developer that were a year old with no deleterious effect. YMMV of course...

RPC · Jun 14, 2020

In full, tightly sealed glass bottles, I have gotten several years(!) with good results and very little solution discoloration, with Kodak RA-RT Developer/Replenisher. I have not used Arista.

mshchem · Jun 14, 2020

I agree with all,of the above. Oxygen is the enemy. Unless you carefully repackage concentrates, it's better to mix working solutions and store at 20°C in absolutely full bottles.

I found a lost bottle of XTOL, 20 ounce soda bottle, absolutely full, 11 YEARS OLD, on a lark I tried it. Made decent printable negatives, I was stunned!

As mentioned if the RA-4 developer has turned color, probably time for new. Mix up the blix too, ammonium thiosulfate is oxidized to stinky sulfur compounds.

Bikerider · Jun 14, 2020

I have used Kodak Ektacolor RA4 dev and Blix since 1992 in conjunction with a NOVA deep tank processor. With proper replenishment I can get over 12 months use before I have to clean out the tank.

Gabe · Jun 14, 2020

koraks said:
Haven't used the Arista chemistry, but when storing the developer, store it in entirely full bottles that are impermeable to oxygen. PET is fine, glass is of course ideal. If oxygen can reach the developer, it'll die a whole lot faster than if you prevent this. I personally use my RA4 developer replenished and the same batch has been with me for something like 2.5 years now - of course, it's been completely replaced many times over by now through replenishment. But I have never had to discard the entire batch and start over.

If you don't replenish, under optimal conditions, I think you may be able to get a few weeks or perhaps 2-3 months (tops) of use out of your developer if you're lucky. Unused, it may last longer as you can keep it locked away from air. If you want to maximize shelf life, store the concentrates separately, away from air, and unmixed with water. Only mix what you need for use and/or replenishment.

So short answer...it depends.
You know your developer is dead if you get significant color shifts (especially magenta) or reduced dmax (bluish blacks).

Thanks for the detailed answer. I’m just wondering this may sounds like a dumb question but by replenish what do you mean? I’m guessing it means I’d have to add more of the developer solution to the mix I’ve already made? Or is that wrong. Thanks!

Gabe · Jun 14, 2020

RPC said:
In full, tightly sealed glass bottles, I have gotten several years(!) with good results and very little solution discoloration, with Kodak RA-RT Developer/Replenisher. I have not used Arista.

Wow you got full years! That’s crazy. I’ll have to invest in some glass bottles. I wonder where I can get glass bottles big enough for 4 liters haha

RPC · Jun 14, 2020

I use canning jars. They are usually sold in grocery stores, hardware stores, and home centers and come in various sizes, and seal well.

David Lyga · Jun 14, 2020

About 15 years ago I bought the one US gallon size of Kodak RA 4 developer. Last year I used the last of it, still was working just as good. The trick is to store the mixture in either glass or PET plastic bottles, filled all the way up. It is that simple. - David Lyga

DREW WILEY · Jun 14, 2020

I proportionately mix only enough for one session at a time, one day at the most, that is, for one-shot drum usage. Doing it this way solved a lot of problems. I quit gambling.

dkonigs · Jun 24, 2020

So I'm now wondering about this exact same issue...
Back in December I mixed up a large batch of Kodak Ektacolor RA developer, and have been storing it in a series of completely full bottles. (One or two gallon-sized Delta Datatainer jugs, and a bunch of brown glass bottles. The intent is that I'll refill the glass from the gallon jugs as I finish them.) I'm hoping all of this is still good and usable.

For the blix, I instead decided to mix in small 1-2L batches pretty much on demand. I just went to the darkroom and noticed that Part A of the blix (I think its the "fixer" part) has settled into yellow'ish deposits on the bottom the the bottle. (Part B still looks okay, but I'm not sure they sell the parts separately.)
Should I assume its time to chuck it and buy new blix?
When I do buy new blix, is it a good idea to just mix the full quantity of that up-front too?

Wayne · Jun 27, 2020

dkonigs said:
Should I assume its time to chuck it and buy new blix?
When I do buy new blix, is it a good idea to just mix the full quantity of that up-front too?

Yes and yes. Sorry. Happened to me too.

dkonigs · Jun 27, 2020

Wayne said:
Yes and yes. Sorry. Happened to me too.

Already ordered more, so that's what I'll do.
Just need to decide whether to mix it all up in a big bucket and carefully pour into storage containers, or to mix in 1L increments like last time. I should probably try the former, since the latter got extremely tedious. Just hope its not too hard to mix properly and avoid spillage.

RA-4 chems shelf life?

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