Pink splotches on film

[nolindan]

As suggested - use a regular fixer and HCA. A soak in a ~3% solution of S. Carbonate will usually get the last of the pink out if it won't leave by normal means. Also, warm water for the wash seems to get the pink out a bit faster - let the film soak for 10-20 minutes in 80F water.

[Steve M Hostetter]

Hello,,,

What is HCA .. thx

[Erik Larsen]

hca=hypo clearing agent

[Steve M Hostetter]

Hello Eric,,,

I'm using photo-flo 200 as a wetting agent at the end of the process or does it need to say hypo...? thx

[Erik Larsen]

No Steve, Use HCA after you fix and then wash your film and then use photo-flo as the last step in plain water or filtered water. The HCA is used to make washing the fix out easier, but in the case of the pink splotches it removes those as well. If you have a film that doesn't get the pink splotches you don't need to use HCA with it, but if you know that you usually get the pink splotches with certain films use the HCA. I only use it with tri-x 8x10 when I process in a print drum because I also get the pink splotches with this combo. For everything else I use I don't get the splotches. I use the HCA in a tray after fixing is complete and not in the drum, then I wash as usual. Just pick up a pack of hca and give it a try, the stuff is dirt cheap, plus it can be used with your fiber printing to make washing times less.
regards
Erik

[Steve M Hostetter]

Thank you Eric and everyone else,,,,! I will check back later and let you know my results...

[Steve M Hostetter]

One more thing,,, can you tell me the procedure for re-fixing the pink ones I already have... I'd rather not put it back in the drum If I don't have to...

Thx

[Erik Larsen]

Steve, I would just put them in some water for a minute or so and then put them in a tray of fix and agitate a while until the stain goes away and then wash as usual then photo-flo once more at the end. In my experience, you might just be able to wash them in a tray of warmer water instead of the fix to get the stain out if you don't have some HCA
good luck
Erik

[Allen in Montreal]

As others have already mentioned, the Hypo Clear is a key part.
I get this from time to time with Tmax only in the 5x7 drum.
Soak, fix again and they use hypo clear with constant agitation.

HCA is a good habit to get into with all films at all times.

[Steve M Hostetter]

Hello,,

Well, I tried the HCA in the drum as a step after the fix and it didn't work so but when I soaked in a tray as described the pink went away almost instantly.. Thanks to everyone for you taking the time to answer this post !