Here's a simple suggestion that's easy to remember:
• 1 min. prewash. (Optional.)
• Develop for recommended time per the manufacturer's specs.
• Stop bath for 30 sec. or 3 times fill/dump with clear water. (Your choice.)
• Fixer for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the type of chemistry used and the type of film used.
• Clear water wash. Fill/dump 3 times.
• Hypo clearing agent for the same amount of time you used for your fixer.
• Wash in slowly running water for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Photo-Flo then hang to dry.
There are some variables but most of them are non-critical except for the developing time. That, you have to get right. Do check your developing charts and follow them closely.
As I mentioned, my suggestions are for a simplified process that's easy to remember. It's not perfect but it will get the job done.
After you get the hang of things, you should start looking at your process to find ways to improve.
You don't need to follow the manufacturer's specs for developing times to the letter. You are probably going to want to vary that time, at some point, in order to get better results.
Fixing time is not set in stone, either. You might not need to fix for a full five minutes. It's possible that you might need more than ten minutes but you shouldn't go much longer than that. Too much fixer can be bad for the film. Not enough fixer will definitely be bad for your film. Five minutes ought to be long enough but it's hard to say, exactly, without knowing a few things.
There is a way to test your film and fixer combination in order to tell exactly how long you need to fix but, for now just go five minutes. If you need to, you can fix for as long as ten.
You can learn the test later. For now, just do it for a set time.
You probably don't need to use Hypo Clear for a long time but, just to make it easy to remember, do it for the same time you used the fixer.
Each manufacturer has their own recommendations for the time needed for Hypo Clear. Just read the instructions on the package.
For now, just learn the basic process. Once you get used to it, you can fine tune.
