Wet plate collodion question - silver bath heavy maintenance

[D_Quinn]

What is the recommended frequency for heavy maintenance when using a 5x7 inch glass plate and 1000ml of silver nitrate solution? While there is no fixed rule, I'm interested in knowing how often others perform heavy maintenance.

I routinely filter after each session and sun the bath to aerate.

Thank you.

 

[koraks]

What is 'heavy maintenance' according to you?

I don't do wet plate anymore, but back when I did, I did whatever maintenance was necessary when it was necessary. This means I used it until I ran into trouble and then fixed the problem. Sometimes this meant UV exposure combined with filtering to remove some silver halide, sometimes it was pH adjustment to solve a fog problem. And I'd add a little silver nitrate from time to time, of course. Other than that, what is one supposed to do with a silver bath? If it works, it works.

 

[D_Quinn]

What is 'heavy maintenance' according to you?

I don't do wet plate anymore, but back when I did, I did whatever maintenance was necessary when it was necessary. This means I used it until I ran into trouble and then fixed the problem. Sometimes this meant UV exposure combined with filtering to remove some silver halide, sometimes it was pH adjustment to solve a fog problem. And I'd add a little silver nitrate from time to time, of course. Other than that, what is one supposed to do with a silver bath? If it works, it works.

Hello koraks, Thanks for your response!
“Heavy maintenance” for me involves adding a small amount of sodium bicarbonate to the silver solution to remove some silver halides followed by a lot of filtering (and pH adjustment). I make sure to do this before iodides saturate in the bath, causing pinholes. So far, I haven't experienced severe pinhole issues. It’s because I believe that I perform this maintenance after processing 30 plates (5x7 inches in 1000ml solution). I was curious to know how often others perform this type of maintenance. Do you remember how it was when you were doing wet plate? Many thanks!

 

[koraks]

You're welcome! After an initial period of doing all manner of stuff with my silver baths, I decided that the best thing to do is to leave it alone as long as it works. So that's what I did.

 

[retina_restoration]

Hello koraks, Thanks for your response!
“Heavy maintenance” for me involves adding a small amount of sodium bicarbonate to the silver solution to remove some silver halides followed by a lot of filtering (and pH adjustment). I make sure to do this before iodides saturate in the bath, causing pinholes. So far, I haven't experienced severe pinhole issues. It’s because I believe that I perform this maintenance after processing 30 plates (5x7 inches in 1000ml solution). I was curious to know how often others perform this type of maintenance. Do you remember how it was when you were doing wet plate? Many thanks!

I do this only when I start to see comets/pinholes in the negatives. Depends on how much I am using the bath - it can be 18 months or more between heavy maintenances.

 

[D_Quinn]

Thank you guys! As I wrote I have been performing heavy maintenance every 30 sheets, but I'm thinking of reducing the frequency a bit. I'll continue using it until any issues like pinholes arise and then assess the appropriate frequency for maintenance. Heavy maintenance takes time and is a lot of work.

 

[retina_restoration]

Thank you guys! As I wrote I have been performing heavy maintenance every 30 sheets, but I'm thinking of reducing the frequency a bit. I'll continue using it until any issues like pinholes arise and then assess the appropriate frequency for maintenance. Heavy maintenance takes time and is a lot of work.

Every 30 plates is waaaaay more often than needed! You may find that - as long as you keep up with normal maintenance - you don't need to do the heavy maintenance more than once a year.

 

[D_Quinn]

Every 30 plates is waaaaay more often than needed! You may find that - as long as you keep up with normal maintenance - you don't need to do the heavy maintenance more than once a year.

Thanks for the comments. It makes things much easier!