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Should I toss TEA that's darkened?

ppg677

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Dec 31, 2023
Messages
5
Location
United States
Format
DSLR
I'm getting back into B&W processing.

I have a half bottle of TEA purchased 15 years ago. It's darkened a bit.

Toss and replace? If so where is a good source? B&H has a reasonably priced product but 2-4 weeks lead time.

I assume my clear half bottle of proplene glycol is still good. And that my phenidone powder is also still good.
 
Last edited:
Darkening of many amines is typical over time, due to formation of trace amounts of oxidised species. However I am sure it will still be perfectly usable.

Glycols will be fine as they are highly stable. The phenidone should also be fine assuming it has been stored in a well sealed container and thus protected from air and moisture.
 

From my single data point (mine), you should be fine. I bought my TEA & Phenidone in 2013. The PC-TEA developer I mixed then and some developer I mixed end of last year seem to work just the same. The PC-TEA I mixed back in 2013 is now very dark, but still works fine.
 
As always one should always test any developer which has not been recently used.
 
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