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HOME TOPICS SEARCH ABOUT ME Dump the use of canned compressed air. Use that stuff enough and you will end up with lung problems. |
technofile Al Fasoldt's reviews and commentaries, continuously available online since 1983 Reader's expert advice on cleaning negatives and slidesMay 27, 2001 Copyright © 2001, Al Fasoldt Al, Your column today highlighted some of the problems we transparency and slide duplication guys have to go through on a day-to-day basis. Here area some pointers, Al, that will make life a lot easier and less expensive in the long run. First: Dump the use of canned compressed air. Use that stuff enough and you will end up with lung problems. Plus, it costs way too much. Instead, go to Syracuse Art Supply and purchase an air compressor that's used for air-brushing. You don't really need to get an airbrush, just the compressor and a 6'-10' length of hose. The air that comes out the end of the hose will be more powerful than what comes out of the can and it will not spit out propellant on to the surface of the slide. And, you won't be going to the doctor complaining about lung congestion and headaches. Second: If it's grime and finger prints in the emulsion you are dealing with, no film solvent will thoroughly do the job in removing them. What you need to do is de-mount the slide, and then dish soak it into a solution of Kodak E-6 Final Rinse that's been warmed to about 90-100 degrees F. Just fill a dish with the solution and let the slides soak and their emulsion swell up (it turns pasty-gray in color). With your finger tips fully moistened with the same solution, gently -- very gently -- rub off any grit or grime from the emulsion side. Grime on the base side most likely will have sloughed off just with the primary soaking. The finger prints? Well, the Final Rinse solution literally "swelled out" the marks to the point of completely disappearing. Third: On a string or wire line that's been run like a short length clothes line, and using paper clips hanging from the line, hang the individual wet slides. Open the main tine of the paper clip so that you can work it into one of the film sprocket holes. That's it. Just let the film air dry. Making sure, of course that the drying area is relatively dust free. Fourth: Get some top-quality plastic slide mounts that have glass inserts. Sandwich your freshly washed slide into one of the mounts and then do your scan. You'll notice a world of difference. Gepe mounts are the best that can be obtained at M-Q Camera store... as can the Kodak Final Rinse. And, while you're there, pick up a box of Kodak Cotton gloves. Wear them at all times when handling fresh, clean slides. Al, if you'd like to use any of this in your column, I would appreciate receiving credit for it. It's part of my 40-year proprietary knowledge base. Take it easy, Don McKay |