Did you know that registration to Fighter Control is completely free and brings you lots of added features? Find out more....

How to Clean Old Negatives(20-30 Years Old)

Post your questions, reviews and technical issues here.
Post Reply
Punkrunner62
Posts: 3109
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2014 3:55 pm
Location: Aberdeen

How to Clean Old Negatives(20-30 Years Old)

Post by Punkrunner62 » Fri Apr 21, 2017 11:28 am

Hi Guys any info on the above subject would be appreciated.They have been in the loft for that length off time.Have not looked at them for years.
Thanks in Advance for your help.

User avatar
paddyboy
Posts: 23688
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2011 7:32 pm
Location: Somewhere in Norfolk

Re: How to Clean Old Negatives(20-30 Years Old)

Post by paddyboy » Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:35 pm

Hi Buddy :P

I am sure there will be peeps out there with much better intel than me, but the way I tried to rescue mine was:

1). Do not use ANY fluids, as I was told during my apprenticeship in printing that age softens the emulsions used in both negs/slides (colloids?).
2). Use a VERY soft brush (I used a sable hair artists brush) to remove any surface dust.
3). Wipe VERY softly with a soft cloth such as that you would use for spectacles (I have a 'selvet' cloth from my printing days, but a proprietary lens cloth from any camera shop should be ok).

Hope this helps, and I will not be offended if anyone shoots me down. ;)

Best regards and luck :thumb:

Paddyboy :clap:
XH558, always the first lady in my life
Just remember, please don't tell the wife


Image
GRIM REAPERS SUPPORTER

Punkrunner62
Posts: 3109
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2014 3:55 pm
Location: Aberdeen

Re: How to Clean Old Negatives(20-30 Years Old)

Post by Punkrunner62 » Fri Apr 21, 2017 3:42 pm

Thanks for that Paddyboy.

User avatar
SG1
Posts: 418
Joined: Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:21 pm
Location: Coningsby

Re: How to Clean Old Negatives(20-30 Years Old)

Post by SG1 » Sat Apr 22, 2017 10:41 am

7. Your 10 Action Steps – Do This Right Now
Here are the steps again...
Make sure your work area is clean and well ventilated
Use Isopropyl alcohol that's 98% or more
Use lint-free cloth or cotton swabs
Handle your negatives with lint-free gloves
Don't dip the negative film in the alcohol
Dab a little alcohol on the cloth or swab
Don't saturate the cloth or swab
Clean a small area at a time
Leave negative so alcohol evaporates
Use a different cloth or swab to remove any loosened oils, dust, debris
And that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity,
from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been,
and are being, evolved.

Punkrunner62
Posts: 3109
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2014 3:55 pm
Location: Aberdeen

Re: How to Clean Old Negatives(20-30 Years Old)

Post by Punkrunner62 » Sat Apr 22, 2017 12:55 pm

Thanks for that,i will try to obtain 98% Isopropyl Alcohol.

User avatar
alanp
Posts: 393
Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2009 5:29 pm
Contact:

Re: How to Clean Old Negatives(20-30 Years Old)

Post by alanp » Wed May 10, 2017 5:09 pm

Isopropyl Alcohol is cheap - you can get it on Amazon. Alternatively, for more difficult cases try PEC-12 (https://www.cameraclean.co.uk/PEC-12.php), again available on Amazon.
Shameless self promotion on Flickr : https://www.flickr.com/photos/spuggs

Punkrunner62
Posts: 3109
Joined: Tue Dec 16, 2014 3:55 pm
Location: Aberdeen

Re: How to Clean Old Negatives(20-30 Years Old)

Post by Punkrunner62 » Wed May 10, 2017 5:22 pm

Thanks for the update on cleaning solutions.
Cheers.

Post Reply

Return to “Photography Q & A / How to post photos”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests