I rather dumbly thought retouching a negative with Spotone would be a good idea, got too much on it, and now can't find a solvent for the stuff. Anybody know how to get it off? thanks.
I rather dumbly thought retouching a negative with Spotone would be a good idea, got too much on it, and now can't find a solvent for the stuff. Anybody know how to get it off? thanks.
Actually John, it's not a dumb idea to retouch a negative with Spotone. It just takes skill and patience. I only retouch a negative to make an area appear lighter in the print. Try soaking the negative in water at room temperature for a while to get the dye out. I don't think solvents will work as Spotone is water soluable. Practice spotting negatives you don't care about. Use a very fine point brush and a strong magnifying glass. Spot lightly, and build up. Dry spotting has been more successful for me.
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Yes, just rewash the neg to remove the Spotone. If it's a large neg and you just want to clean up a little area, try a weak solution of ammonia, which is what I recall being the recommendation on the instructions when I last looked at them I don't know how many years ago.
David is right. I surprised myself by finding my Spotone instructions printed in 1977. The pertinent portion reads as follows:
"Use only plain water for a light tone removal. For lightening dark tone retouching use a solution of 8 drops of ammonia to 4 oz. water. Apply to area with brush and blot up. Add plain water and blot up."
Hope that helps. --Jim
I have used PEC (Photographic Emulsion Cleaner) on prints- it takes the spotone off immediately. It is made for prints and film, so you might try it on your negatives.
Thanks, one and all. Tried the PEC earlier and it didn't work...but I like it very much for cleaning negs in general. Will give the Ammonia a shot.
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