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Thread: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
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    San Joaquin Valley, California
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    Question YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    I just found a half dozen 8x10 negatives in the store room that were accidentally left out unprotected, and now are covered with fine dust.
    How would you recommend cleaning them before I put them in negative protectors?
    Thanks!
    "I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority"---EB White

  2. #2
    Drew Wiley
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    Sep 2008
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    SF Bay area, CA
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    Re: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    I take my Persian cat and rub him onto a rubber balloon, then carry him by the tail into the darkroom. Then I rub him on the film, and the static charge pulls the dust
    away from the film itself. Afterwards I put the cat in the washing machine. I loan him my wife's little digital underwater camera, so his time in the suds will be more
    enjoyable.

  3. #3
    Big Negs Rock!
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    Mar 2000
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    Pasadena
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    1,188

    Re: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    I'd put them in holders & rewash them in your negative washer with running water. If there are stubborn areas that don't want to come clean, put the neg under the water faucet directly. I'd treat them like just processed film.
    Mark Woods

    Large Format B&W
    Cinematography Mentor at the American Film Institute
    Past President of the Pasadena Society of Artists
    Director of Photography
    Pasadena, CA
    www.markwoods.com

  4. #4

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    Re: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    If its dust thats just sitting on the emulsion and not embedded seems like a can of canned air or hand air squeezer and a soft camel hair brush would be a good start.

  5. #5
    Daniel Stone's Avatar
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    Nov 2009
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    Re: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    I'd wash/soak a little bit, then photo-flo and dry again.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    295

    Re: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    Definitely try Drew's method first, you don't want to waste time, air or water with the other methods until you've tried it. And your wife will thank you for washing her pussy.

  7. #7
    jp's Avatar
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    May 2009
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    Maine
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    Re: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    If you don't have a persian cat, many taxidermy subjects work well as they collect dust very nicely.

  8. #8

    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    El Cajon, CA
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    Re: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    My Persian kitty would not be too happy with the tail dragging and the washing machine. She DOES, however, make a great dust mop for behind furniture.
    Michael Cienfuegos

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    North Bay, CA
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    253

    Re: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    Can't you pour milk on the neg and let the cat lick it off?

  10. #10
    Widows and Orphans Beware
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    New Jersey
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    177

    Re: YIKES! How to best clean dusty negatives?

    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Stone View Post
    I'd wash/soak a little bit, then photo-flo and dry again.
    I found myself in exactly this situation a few weeks ago and I did exactly when Dan suggests. Worked fine.

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