Removing the gloss

[Xícara]

Sorry if this is a silly question, but is there a chemical way of removing the gloss from glossy FB paper without compromising paper and image?

I purchased some Ilford FB MG "glossy" paper thinking it was the same as my previous batch. Realised that my previous batch was "classic" and not glossy. I like the matt paper best, but I can rarely find it here.

Thanks,

 

[koraks]

No, I don't think so. At least not easily. In fact, see very reasonable and easy suggestions in posts after this one!

Theoretically, you could dry the gelatin emulsion against a matte surface (like matte glass). Just like with ferrotyping, the emulsion would mould itself to the shape of the surface it's in contact with. But I expect it won't release well due to the large contact surface.

Also, again hypothetically speaking, you could run the paper through a set of calendering rolls with the top surface having the desired surface texture. It will press into the emulsion. But this is not do ething realistically possible at home, probably not even if you have something like an etching press to play with.

A third possible approach is to pour a gelatin top coat onto the paper with a matting agent mixed into it. This one is actually sort of feasible, but it's of course quite a bit of work to do this on all your prints, and figuring out a good workflow will take some time and be a messy process.

The obvious solution is to reserve this paper for prints that benefit from the glossy finish and buy another box of matte paper.

 

[jeffreyg]

You can air dry and then spray with a matte finish art varnish. Check with an art store. Give it a try. It might give you close to what you want.

 

[koraks]

You can air dry and then spray with a matte finish art varnish.

Good point; worth a try!

 

[nmp]

An off-the-wall idea: use a starch spray, the kind they use before ironing. Always wanted to try on glossy digital prints before they came up with much less glossy baryta papers, but never did.

:Niranjan.

 

[Ian Grant]

There were problems with early Kodak colour RC papers in some processors which used a tap water (unheated) wash. Depending on the water temperature the gloss was lost completely, or was patchy. It's a form of micro-reticulation of the protective gelatin super-coat.

I've seen similar with B&W RC papers, and FB papers lose some of their gloss if washed at lower temperatures and dried in a cool place. Maybe a bit difficult in Brazil Maybe try going from your usual wash to a final rinse in iced water, it should take the edge off the gloss.

MG Classic is available in Glossy & Matt.

Ian

 

[Xícara]

Thanks everyone and I realise that I made a mistake. My batch is indeed "classic" glossy, it's just that the packaging has changed and I didn't see the "classic"! I've used this paper before and it's not an overly glossy surface. It's been great to hear the ideas above and I will make a test with the art-supply matte spray and also the ice-water. But yes, hard to find a cool spot for the drying.