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Thread: Wet Plate ... silver bath ph ??

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    The Desert * Phoenix AZ
    Posts
    133

    Wet Plate ... silver bath ph ??

    Hi everyone,
    My silver bath is ph 3, is that to acid ? How do I raise it to 4-6?
    Can I use sodium hydroxide?

    Hmmmm....
    Thanks!
    Steve

  2. #2

    Re: Wet Plate ... silver bath ph ??

    pH 3 is low, but is probably fine for positives.
    More importantly, have you tried it? Always try it before messing with it.

    Quote Originally Posted by SteveKarr View Post
    Hi everyone,
    My silver bath is ph 3, is that to acid ? How do I raise it to 4-6?
    Can I use sodium hydroxide?

    Hmmmm....
    Thanks!
    Steve

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Washington, D.C.
    Posts
    1,498

    Re: Wet Plate ... silver bath ph ??

    I agree--test it first before adjusting the pH. My silver bath is pH 4 and it works fine. The more acidic the silver bath, the less sensitive the plate--but unless your exposures seem abnormal, it may not be an issue. One simple way to raise the pH is to add a volume of non-acidified silver nitrate. I usually see Calcium Carbonate or Sodium Carbonate recommended as a neutralizing agent--be sure to sun and filter after neutralizing.

  4. #4

    Re: Wet Plate ... silver bath ph ??

    How would I lower the PH ? I have nitric acid 7% to increase. hanks

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Posts
    2,084

    Re: Wet Plate ... silver bath ph ??

    Quote Originally Posted by lightfootwillwalkinthecat View Post
    How would I lower the PH ? I have nitric acid 7% to increase. hanks
    Nitric acid will decrease pH so that's what you could use if you already have it. I've also seen acetic acid being used, but I've mostly had good experience with nitric acid for this application.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Equally far from everything
    Posts
    413

    Re: Wet Plate ... silver bath ph ??

    I have never adjusted or cared about the silver bath PH for over 10 years of shooting plates. Just shoot.

  7. #7

    Join Date
    May 2022
    Location
    New York City
    Posts
    6

    Re: Wet Plate ... silver bath ph ??

    You can work with pH 3, it will just be less sensitive than a higher pH bath

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