Every few years I apply some bowling alley wax to the edges of the dark slides: a small amount on each side, drawn between the thumb and index finger). After wiping with a smooth a cloth to a fine polish, the holders go in and out very easily.
Every few years I apply some bowling alley wax to the edges of the dark slides: a small amount on each side, drawn between the thumb and index finger). After wiping with a smooth a cloth to a fine polish, the holders go in and out very easily.
Carefully but vigously buffing the darkslides with a cotton rag has done the trick on many old plate holders I have had. I do not always like putting any other materials on those pre-plastic era darkslides.
When dusting out a film holder, I insert the (clean) darkslide corner-first, and slide in, out and around in the trap a bit to encourage dust to be pushed out of the trap into the holder. The holder is then inserted just enough to show in the film holder. I dust the insides out, first with an anti-static brush, then I tap the side of the holder, re-brush, then use canned air if needed). Having the holder part-way in keeps the dust from just being blown back into the trap...I think. I do it out of decades of habit.
But thanks for the reminder of blowing the traps out. Living and working in a cool humid environment (60 to 70% RH) can make one a little careless about dust. I would need more canned air. I have 60+ holders (4x5 to 11x14) to keep clean!
I wonder if there are any LFers at Burning Man?
"Landscapes exist in the material world yet soar in the realms of the spirit..." Tsung Ping, 5th Century China
I clean and lube the edges with nose grease. It works better than anything else i have tried.
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