To refix or not ?

[Guillaume Zuili]

Hi,
At my gallery they have an old RC contact sheet signed from the 80's. Obviously it wasn't fixed and washed well (some yellow is showing).

If I put it in fix and wash I guess I can stop that. Do you think the signature (ball point) will be removed ?

 

[df cardwell]

Use TF4, it will just take a half minute. Then a rinse, and you clean, The pen should be fine.

 

[2F/2F]

It is worth a try. Even if it doesn't work, I doubt it will make it any worse.

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

Will try. What about just plain hypo ?

 

[df cardwell]

Will try. What about just plain hypo ?

Probably perfect !

 

[nze]

you may protect the signature with the product use for selective toning. I use gluk for that but

 

[Ian Grant]

Some very early RC papers weren't totally stable and there can be image deterioration which can't be reversed. If it's definitely early 80's it should be on the newer versions. The yellow stain may not disappear in fixer/hypo, it usually requires a more concentrated solution than usual which is also likely to attack the highlights of the image.

There are special techniques to remove these stains, but you need plenty of experience before attempting them. As others have said refixing the image is a good idea. It may not remove the stain but could prevent the image deteriorating further, on the other hand you might be lucky.

Ian

 

[Lowell Huff]

There is no logic to put the print in fixer. Maybe, not even a Hypo Wash bath either. "Yellow" stain is usually a sulfur deposit. It may be removed with fixer stain remover, although this product is usually recommended for clothing.

 

[Guillaume Zuili]

I can't be lucky on this one... Will just stop the damage
Thanks,
G.

 

[Rich Ullsmith]

If the yellow stain is from sulfiding, I don't think you can fix that out.