Wetting Agent - I'll let you know

BobNewYork · Sep 25, 2009

Just getting back into my darkroom. Everything delivered - HCA, Dektol, Xtol, Stop, Selenium Toner etc. Realized I'd forgotten to order Photo-Flo. I've always used Photo-Flo or C-41 stabilizer/final rinse in the past but I'd run my nine test films and I wasn't about to wait another few days for Photo-Flo. So I got me a tiny bottle of "Finish" dishwasher rinse. I figured it was only test films so no biggie.

First impressions - it really is a great wetting agent for film! I've had the occasional problems in the past with both Photo Flo and the C-41 stuff, (who hasn't?? !!) which necessitated re-washing; but one little squirt per litre of this Finish in distilled water and the negs look pristine. Of course what I don't know is whether anything in this stuff will harm the negs over time. For these test films it's not important - but I'll keep a regular eye on these negs and keep posting.

Bob H

Photo Engineer · Sep 25, 2009

Bob;

You may not know if it hurts your film for 20 years or more. There is a long thread on this here, but the wetting agents used in dishwashers are not designed to be harmless to film, only glass and dishwasher resistant plastics as well as the metal you may put in them.

Please read that other thread and let us know in 20+ years. Don't forget to keep some cool and dry, some warm and humid and some in the light... etc... Just so the test covers every possible condition that the major companies used to test and quality assure their wetting agents would survive our keeping conditions.

PE

BetterSense · Sep 25, 2009

I've used Jet-Dry in the past. I don't think I would again; I would just use straight distilled water which works fine if it's ultrapure water.

thebdt · Sep 25, 2009

BetterSense said:
I've used Jet-Dry in the past. I don't think I would again; I would just use straight distilled water which works fine if it's ultrapure water.

I actually had spots with Photo-Flo; it really annoyed me. Then I discovered that Walmart sells steam-distilled jugs of water for a song. I rinse my film in two changes of distilled water at the end of all the processing; spots have never been a problem since...

fotch · Sep 25, 2009

BobNewYork said:
.... I've had the occasional problems in the past with both Photo Flo ......Bob H

I have never had any problems with Photo Flo in over 40 years of use. Maybe that is unique however, I think having a problem is unique.

Something else may be the cause and the wrong process being blamed.

JMO

Rick A · Sep 25, 2009

I just checked a couple of web sites, there are two different acids, also contains ethanol, with a pH of 7.0
I think I'll stick with Edwal LFN, never had any problems with spotting.
Rick

fschifano · Sep 25, 2009

I've had trouble with Photoflo, but that was an anomaly. Traced the cause back to not having diluted it enough. The recommended 1:200 was just too much for my water supply. Started using it at 1/2 strength or less (1:400 or 1:500) and have continued doing so for years. No more problems. Never a spot. Negatives are always pristine. The trick is to use only enough to make the water sheet off the film and NO MORE. How much is dependent on your water supply. Obviously, clean water is necessary.

BobNewYork · Sep 25, 2009

Gotcha guys. It was only a short necessity on negs that have served their purpose in a week. I had read the other thread - in fact that was what prompted me to give it a shot as a last resort. If I'm around in 20 years, (and I'm not sure the odds are good!!!) I'll let you know !!

Bob H

George Collier · Sep 25, 2009

What PE said - I've used P-Flo since the early 60's, never a problem, unless the dilution is off, and it may be different with different tap waters. I always use it with distilled now, diluted as recommended. In fact I have a gallon of 1:600 that I've had 20 - 30 years, and I make 1:200 from that (once every few years). I always get confused about how much to dilute the 1:600 to make a 1:200 stock.

Wetting Agent - I'll let you know

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