Test for wash aid exhaustion

[Fred Braakman]

Hi,
What is the capacity of wash aid for prints? Can you test it for exhaustion? Is there a time limit for using a solution?

Fred

[Brian Ellis]

Heico gives (or used to give, I don't know if Heico is still in business) the capacity on the bottles. You have to keep track of the number and size of the prints washed, which is easy to do as long as you remember to do it.

[Oren Grad]

Information on Ilford Wash Aid is here (http://www.ilfordphoto.com/Webfiles/2006130214472102.pdf).

Information on Kodak Hypo Clearing Agent is here (http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/support/techPubs/e103cp/e103cp.pdf?id=0.1.20.14.18.16.5.14.14&lc=en).

Heico Perma Wash is now distributed by Brandess-Kalt-Aetna (http://www.bkaphoto.com/). Unfortunately, they don't provide product use or capacity information on their web site. I'll check the label when I'm down in my darkroom a bit later and will post an update if nobody else has done so by then.

[Louie Powell]

Sprint include a blue indicator in their wash aid - as it becomes exhausted, the indicator progresses through green to become yellow. Don't have to count prints at all.

[Oren Grad]

OK, just surfacing from a printing session. The Perma Wash bottle says capacity is 35-50 double-weight FB 8x10 sheets per gallon, assuming a pre-rinse. Also, the working solution in the tray is said to oxidize within 6-8 hours.