Washing RC prints

I thought it would be easy to find this information but I have found conflicting answers. I have been developing Ilford Multigrade IV RC 8x10" and have been using a Paterson High Speed print washer for 2'. Question 1: is that enough time? Now I want to make some 11x14" prints. Question 2: if I put them in a tray in a sink can I just let fill the tray with running water falling into the tray or should I use a hose? Question 3: how long should I wash like this? Question 4: I just orderd a Kodak Automatic Siphon, will it work better than the plain running water/overflowing tray method or should I see if I can cancel the order? Question 5: If I do use the Kodak Siphon, how long should I wash the prints?

Thanks for you help with such a simple question

Scott

1. 2 min is sufficient, given the water circulates on the print surface. Sitting in a stagnant water doesn't count. A stack of prints with no separation doesn't work either. But other than that 2 min is good.

2. How you circulate the water is not that important. You can fill the tray, rock the tray frequently, change water every 30-45 sec., and repeat the process for 3-4 times and the print will be ready. Siphon, hose, whatever that fits your tray, sink and technique. I use extra large (30-some inches) tray and L-shaped PVC pipe with lots of holes to wash my prints.

I suggest that 2 minutes is far too long, I never wash R/C prints for longer than one minute. I too use a Paterson High Speed print washer for prints up to 12 x 16.

Good Evening, Scott,

I've used a Kodak Tray Siphon for years. Following hypo clear, I usually give RC prints 4-5 minutes. I could probably get by with less, but why take a chance? The only drawback to the siphon is with multiple prints; you have to keep an eye on them to assure than they don't stick together.

Konical

I use 4 minutes in a tray equipped with a Kodak Tray Siphon for RC papers. Yes, you need to make sure the prints don't stick together, but the total wash time is only, as I said, 4 minutes. That's not long enough to strain your attention span.

I wash my prints for 4 minutes too,using a tray siphon,when using a hardening fixer with RC paper.Be careful not to add prints to ones that are already washing - it makes them all dirty.

Rob.