can you use salt to clean type 55?

[Alex Whittle]

Hello,

I have been informed that its possible to use salt at 3-1 to clean off type 55 instead of the sulphate solution, this would make sense as that is all the solutuion is made of?
has any one used this is the past, and does it have any effect on the longevityof the neg?

Thanks

Alex

[K. Nicolaisen]

Watch David Bailey: the Nude. For a few shots from the shore he reported dropping the 55Pola negs in the ocean. Apart from a few scratches from the sand the pic´s look great. Anything goes!

[Jim Ewins]

Craig Tanner suggested & I have used sucessfully this method;

Remove all paper from the negative.
Wrap in toilet paper each way
Place in tupperware/rubbermade container with plain water.
Carry it thru the day addding more negatives.
The next day separate the negs from the stuff and wash & dry.

Craig carries his around in a fanny pack, so they are well agitated.

[Randy Becker]

Toilet paper? Wouldn't that make a horrible mess?

[Andre Noble]

Remove paper and store Polaroid negatives in a Doran Adjustable Cut Film Pack Developing Tank (filled with water) - can get them at B&H.

FWIW, I was suprised to find recently that Polaroid 665 (similar to Type 55) completely clears in plain water very quickly. Sodium Sulfite solution was very unnecessary.

[Frank Petronio]

If you dribble a little urine into the tank it cleans them even better. Really!

[Andre Noble]

Exactly how much piss per 1000ml would you recommend then?

[Frank Petronio]

Usually the results of two twelve ounce Heinekins, but in urban areas I drink a 40-ouncer Malt Liquor.

[Alex Whittle]

thanks for the info,

I´m glad to have provoked such a high brow discussion. As a real ale drinker myself, i shall have to do some tests before i let loose with the contents of lasts nights outing!

cheers

[Gem Singer]

Hi Alex,

Why not purchase sodium sulfite (not sulfate) from Artcraft Chemicals, Photographer's Formulary, etc., mix up an 18% solution, and treat the Type 55 P/N negative exactly the way Polaroid recommends?

Using Polaroid film requires a fairly large investment in time and money. Saving a few pennies by using salt (sodium chloride), instead of sodium sulfite is not a wise idea. It may turn out to be more expensive in the long run.