Tween 20 Question

[dpurdy]

I could probably just call Bostick and Sullivan and ask them but I will ask here first.
I have used a little bit of tween 20 in the past at the 10% strength. It was very old and a hand me down from another photographer. It definitely helped make smoother prints but I had a problem with sparkles left on the surface of the paper that stayed even after washing and drying. I heated the bottle of tween up and gave it a good shaking and then I used hot developer for my platinum print and the sparkles went away.
I have two questions now. I just ordered a 50% solution of tween from B&S and I know I will need to dilute it for using for 8x10 and smaller prints. Is there anything to worry about other than just using some distilled water?

Also is the sparkles problem I had with the old stuff due to age or is it a problem inherent in Tween? Is there another way to avoid it?

Thanks for the help
Dennis Purdy

 

[Loris Medici]

Dennis, not an answer to your question but just wanted to mention for the records; you can use Ilford's wetting agent Ilfotol too w/o any adverse effects. It's similar -> a non-ionic surfactant. I was using it 2-3 drops into 10ml coating solution - but that depends much on paper...

 

[dpurdy]

Thank you Loris, I will look into that.
Dennis

 

[michael9793]

I use it almost on every paper. One to two drops on 8x10s and up to 4 drops on 8x20's or 14x12 prints. they say to be careful it will lower the DMax if you use to much. I don't measure my DMax's so I can't tell you.

mike a