Long term storage of chemicals and paper for B/W

Ten years ago I started working on a basement darkroom. It is 80% finished.

Alas, it was never finished due to work and traveling for research.

 

Most of my paper was double/triple wrapped in plastic and has been kept frozen since that time.

Other paper just on a shelf.

I also have about 20 bottles of unopened Sprint chemicals.

 

I am in the process of moving into retirement and a house 500 miles away.

 

My question- Is the paper and chemicals still good after 10 years.

 

Should I discard it all or take it with me to use in the leisure time of my retirement

Best way to answer this is to try some of it out before you move.

Probably the best idea but unfortunately not an option. I do not have access to a local darkroom. ;(

Rubbermade boxes........

If you plan on retiring to a darkroom.....

Bring it along, there probably isn't enough to take up a great deal of space. If is is all bad, it doesn't matter where you discard it. If it is still good, you'll be gratified.

Some chemicals will age and deteriorate, others like the infamous Rodinal seems to defy aging.

The only way is to mix them and test them.

So I would take it with you, build a darkroom and test it.

I usually would move chemicals in factory sealed containers, but not open ones. More because of the likely leaks, than going bad.

 

As for paper, kept cool and dry, black and white paper should be fine.

 

I have had very old, maybe 50 years, paper work fine, and less than 10 year paper go bad, so you really don't know.

Again, factory seal is best, but at least you don't have to worry about leaks.

The frozen paper will be good. The chemicals - doubtful. Liquid paper developers will almost certainly have oxidised to the point of becoming useless, and even fixer concentrate will go off and throw a smelly sediment after a few years storage. Stop bath should survive.

 

The colour of the chemicals should be a good guide. Brown or amber developer is no good - Rodinal excepted - neither is sulphur-smelling or cloudy fixer.

I've had good luck with old, unopened "stuff" - chemicals and film. I'd also toss anything that has been opened.

Air and light are the enemies of anything chemical.

 

However, in retirement I have found that I have much less time to do all the things I had put off before. Buy scanners and digital, and do your Ansel Adams bit on the computer. That way you don't even need to have a room full of dark.:rolleyes:

"However, in retirement I have found that I have much less time to do all the things I had put off before."

 

So true.

JD & James are right on. Retirement for me was 2000 & I am still finding "round 2 it's" in my spare time. If you must keep the fingers in the game, go with a hybrid arrangement (like I have). Film in your camera & home development. Scan your own negatives. Print using modern digital tools. Now, where is that next round2it at ??? Aloha, Bill

"That way you don't even need to have a room full of dark."

 

- LOL! Nicely put JD.