Re-Washing dusty negs. How to dry when cut.

AndyNC · Jan 2, 2023

Hi,

Something went wrong on my last development of 4 films and most of the 135's have dust on them from drying. I think the chamois was falling apart. I'll be using fingers next time or a cellulose sponge.
I have found a post referring to re-washing and I have no problems getting them wet with a drop of wetting agent.

My issue is how to dry them and keep them flat.

As they are cut into strips of 6 and some of 4 and 3's ( last 7 off a 24/25) there are no ends to attach weights to hang them with.

Does anyone have any suggestions please.

I've thought of making a rig which is essentially two strips of wood, correctly spaced and some pins to go through the sprocket holes.

Any other thoughts?

Many thanks
Andy

koraks · Jan 2, 2023

I always use mini binder clips and suspend them from a clothes line by one corner.
There's some curl, depending on the film used, but the strips will flatten out just fine when stored in sleeves under some weight.

foc · Jan 2, 2023

AndyNC said:
I've thought of making a rig which is essentially two strips of wood, correctly spaced and some pins to go through the sprocket holes.

I have used a simplified version of what you are saying.

I put a paper clip through the top sprocket hole on the right and hold it with a clothes peg (or film clip) and another paper clip through the bottom left sprocket hole and attached to a clothes peg (or film clip).

Has worked for me, many times.

AndyNC · Jan 2, 2023

Hi,

Many thanks.

From both your suggestions it seems that holding it by one corner will suffice and any curl will sort itself out in sleeves over time.
I guess if it curls excessively a wider binder clip with two paper clips, which is very close to where I was going.

Cheers
Andy

Nitroplait · Jan 2, 2023

AndyNC said:
Hi,

Many thanks.

From both your suggestions it seems that holding it by one corner will suffice and any curl will sort itself out in sleeves over time.
I guess if it curls excessively a wider binder clip with two paper clips, which is very close to where I was going.

Cheers
Andy

You can easily hook it into both corners if you prefer.

Straighten a long paperclip (or similar material) make hooks in both ends and bend the clip into a U shape.
Put it over a clothing line (or similar) and attach to the sprocket holes to the hooks.
Make a similar paperclip device and attach to the last two sprocket holes in the other end of your strip.
If not heavy enough, just attach a clothespin to the lower U shape to add weight.

gone · Jan 2, 2023

If you use a chamois on them, you will continue to get stuff on your negatives. If you use your fingers you will scratch them. Don't use anything that touches your wet negatives.

Use a wetting agent for a 30 second soak after your final wash, take the film off the reel, snap it like a whip a couple of times to get off excess water, and hang the roll in a bathroom after you've run the shower w/ hot water to build up some humidity in there. Keep the door closed to keep the humidity up, maybe crack it open a little after 45 minutes.

guangong · Jan 2, 2023

Were you using a chamois made specifically for negatives, or a chamois meant for wiping your car? I haven’t used my Kodak chamois for years, but never had a problem with them when I did. Now I use Fotoflow, hang negative strips and often squeegee with fingers or fresh sheet of paper towel. Negatives always spotless and scratch free. The cellulose squeegees sold in photo stores collect dirt and are a sure way to produce scratches.

AndyNC · Jan 2, 2023

Hi All,
Nitroplait: Good idea. I was thinking of a small piece of wood with the bent paper clip attached for the bottom to add weight.

Momus, guangong: It's a car type chamois but I've never had an issue up to now, but now time to throw it away. I've used fingers and a proprietary squeegee with no problems up to now.
I've have had problems with water marks unless I do something to get off the excess water.
Momus you say don't use fingers and guangong, you say you've used fingers without issues. Mmm. I must say I have used finger but they can pick up grit in the process of developing so I might use the clean clean paper towel. I can try what we have in the kitchen on an old leader.

So now it's time to experiment.

Many thanks
Andy

Dusty Negative · Jan 2, 2023

Ten people, ten answers. But take it from me (or my screen name) and have a final soak in photoflo, then (much like momus said, except I do this while the film is still on my Hewes reel) snap several times to get rid of excess water. I no longer use fingers, chamois, squeegee, or anything additional, and get squeaky-clean (and scratch-free) negs each time.

bernard_L · Jan 2, 2023

Nitroplait said:
You can easily hook it into both corners if you prefer.

Straighten a long paperclip (or similar material) make hooks in both ends and bend the clip into a U shape.
Put it over a clothing line (or similar) and attach to the sprocket holes to the hooks.
Make a similar paperclip device and attach to the last two sprocket holes in the other end of your strip.
If not heavy enough, just attach a clothespin to the lower U shape to add weight.

Same here. Shape the U such that the two hooks are just far enough apart that they pull the edge of the film straight.

runswithsizzers · Jan 2, 2023

If you use the correct tools and technique to wipe your wet film, then you probably wiil not contaminate or scratch your negatives.

If you never touch your wet film with anything, then you definitely will not contaminate or scratch your negatives.

I use the method described by Dusty Negative in post #9 with good results.

Michael Teresko · Jan 2, 2023

After washing and removing excess water as per Dusty Negative, a short soak in distilled water with a drop of photo flo works for me. No water spots ever, and usually little dust. I agree that wiping with anything is inviting problems.

GregY · Jan 2, 2023

I also use the straightened paper clip approach and never wipe or touch the wet film

AndyNC · Jan 3, 2023

Right so I'll try on some old film drying without touching.

Most people mention Photoflow or EF?? as the go to wetting agent. Are photographic wetting agents as good as each other or are they mentioned because the user has a bottle and it last for so long that's all they've used?
I have a new (old but unopened) bottle of Enconwet by Jessops (went to administration in 2009 ). I don't think Jessops actually made this themselves so it could be rebadged from a major manufacturer.

Also some have suggested distilled water, would filter water be as good?

Cheers
Andy

Re-Washing dusty negs. How to dry when cut.

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