Surfactants

[BetterSense]

When I mix up my special solution to clean records, I add a couple of drops of Jet-Dry so that the water runs off nice and doesn't bead up. I seem to remember there being a similar product used in photography, but I can't remember what it's called. But anyway, would Jet-Dry conflict with photo chemistry in any way?

 

[fschifano]

I don't know, but it's not necessary. The whole point of Photoflo is to get the film dry without water spots. I'll add my usual caveat. Use only enough to make the water sheet off the film without beading up and no more. More can result in excessive foaming, leaving behind a residue. How much is that you say? I depends on your water supply. In my area, the dilution ratio is somewhere around 1+400 for Photoflo 200. Other water supplies may need 1+200.

 

[BetterSense]

Ah, Photoflo. I was actually talking more about prints since I don't do film yet. It takes forever for them to dry, because the water doesn't want to run off.

 

[fschifano]

Squeegee off the excess water and leave them to dry on racks or screens. Photoflo doesn't work too well with fiber based papers. I've tried it, and it can work well with RC papers, but it's completely unnecessary if you just squegee off the water. Home Depot, janitorial supply aisle. Pick up a window squeegee. Works like a champ.

 

[Robert Hall]

Don't use it with prints, but for negatives use it at half dilution like Frank said then add about 50ml of rubbing alcohol per liter to help it evaporate faster. I do my large format 12x20 negs this way and have yet to have a spot in over 15 years. (that's about when I learned how to do it.)

 

[CBG]

If you are talking finished prints - not just test strips to evaluate dry down - squeegee from the back onto an utterly clean plexi or similar surface, then hang them and let the prints take any time they want to dry. Add no Photoflo or other unknowns to the paper. Better to have known quality than a bit faster results. There are lots of threads on hanging and drying prints.