WASHING AID

From my reading of "The Negative" by Adams, the only thing that makes

a negative more permanent is an application of dilute toner.

If I may, a more precise question might have been, "What is the value

of washing aid?", or "What is the purpose of washing aid?"

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To which there would be more of a response.

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A washing aid will shorten the time required in the wash, without

reducing the effect of the wash.

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Remember, this is just one persons opinion.

No a wash aid doesn't make a neg more permanent _assuming the wash is otherwise sufficient_.

What a wash aid can do is make a shorter wash sufficient, and it can greatly aid in removing the leftover magenta/purple sensitizing dyes used in many modern films. You don't have to fix the film forever to get rid of the dyes.

To make an inexpensive wash aid, dissolve about a tablespoon of sodium sulfite in a quart of water. Exact amounts aren't critical at all.

To use for negs, after the fix rinse the film in the wash aid for about a minute. You can reuse the wash aid until it starts growing scum.

Tammy, As John and Andy said, a washing aid does not make a negative more permanent, but it can greatly reduce the time you will need to wash the negative, (also prints), and make it less time-consuming.

A proper wash time will make a negative or print more permanent. I have found that "Orbit Bath", mixed according to instructions on bottle, will greatly reduce wash time and aid greatly. It cuts the wash time from 30-60 minutes down to 5-10 minutes. I have many negatives that have great permanence using this product. It can be found in many camera stores. Hope this helps.

David Huffman