Storing ilfochrome chemicals

darragh · Jan 13, 2010

Hi
Can mixed ilfochrome be stored in accordian styled chemical bottles?
Thanks
Darragh

Lopaka · Jan 13, 2010

I don't know - I have never stored working solution more than 12 hours. I mix what I need for a day's work.

Bob

darragh · Jan 14, 2010

How long can a working solution be stored for?
Also does the P-30/P-30P go stale if it is left unopened?
Thanks
Darragh

Renato Tonelli · Jan 14, 2010

No - The accordion-style containers are not as good as purported to be. I have had problems with them with basic B&W chemistry. The plastic is not high grade and is porous enough so that the chemistry degrades over short periods of time.

Ilfochrome chemistry does go bad, especially the developer. I have three unopened P3.5 kits that are no longer usable. I have read (maybe an old APUG post) that they have a shelf life of 2 years.

I have resorted to 'schedule' my Ilfochrome printing. I stock up on materials and then set aside several days where I print nothing but Ilfochrome until my chemistry is finished. Unfortunately this is not always possible - everyday life tends to get in the way...

Is it my imagination or was the first Cibachrome chemistry available in powder packets?

Erik L · Jan 14, 2010

The concentrate is good for 2 years, the working solution in a full stoppered bottle is good for 2 months and the working solution in a 1/2 full stoppered bottle is good for a month. This is from the literature that comes with the P30 2 liter kits.
regards
Erik

nickandre · Jan 14, 2010

The accordion bottles are terrible. Regular plastic bottles topped off are far superior. The ones you want are the glass ones topped off with nitrogen or with chemistry. No leakage.

davetravis · Jan 15, 2010

The problem I had with the accordian bottles was keeping them compressed as the content decreased.
Once I solved that, the chems lasted as long as they should.

fotch · Jan 15, 2010

tiberiustibz said:
The accordion bottles are terrible. Regular plastic bottles topped off are far superior. The ones you want are the glass ones topped off with nitrogen or with chemistry. No leakage.

I used accordion bottles for years and didn't seem to have any problems. Then again, I don't recall ever going more than 2 months with developer either.

I now think that glass is class (which is what I started with) and use a larger quantity of smaller bottles filled to the brim or top off with Nitrogen gas, which I don't have yet.

I am just getting round to setting up my darkroom again and from what others have stated, believe that 6 months storage is fine, maybe longer.

Storing ilfochrome chemicals

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