Film Final Rinse with Isopropyl Alcohol

[gene_crumpler6]

A while back I used Isopropyl alcohol as the final rinse in developing film. The idea was to eliminate possible water spots and to speed up the drying to minimize dust accumulation. I was wondering if anyone has used this and if I should start using this again.

[brian_c._miller2]

I dunno about that. Coming from a background of electronics

(computers, radio, audio/video) I know that isopropyl alcohol leaves

a film behind it. Just put some on a clean piece of glass, and watch

what is left behind. That's why Tascam markets their own head

cleaner -- it contains no isopropyl alcohol.

 

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If you don't want to use Kodak Photoflo, there's Edwal LFN in

distilled water, or just distilled water. (There's another one which

will advertises that it will completely dry the film in just minutes,

but the name escapes me.)

[andy_laycock1]

I have to agree with Brian and wouldn't recommend using alcohol of any kind. Commercially available alcohols contain many impurities that could damage the structure of the negative but may not show up for awhile. As I had posted previously, distilled water obtained from a supermarket (reverse osmosis) as a final rinse is very cheap and exceptionally effective. Remember that those spots are fine grains of silt and wetting agents merely spread them out on the film. Why not wash them away entirely. After rinsing in the tank twice I hang the film and pour more distilled water down them before drying.

[brian_c._miller2]

Here's the names of the alternate drying chemicals:

 

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Forma Flo, from Photographer's Formulary.

 

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Instant Film Dryer, from Delta 1. "Now print within minutes after

developing" This is a very active chemical solution. The

instructions say first squeegee the film, and then dunk in the

working solution. If the film is not squeegeed first, a harmless

white powder may form on the film. Do not use on E-6, and test on

color negative film for dye runs.

[jl_collier]

Before scanners were used in pre-press departments for color

separations, sheet film and process cameras did the job. After fix

and wash, a quick dunk in a solution of 50/50 isopropyl & water in a

tray along with squeegeeing sped up drying time.

 

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The source for the alcohol was the same as used on the litho presses

and came in 55 gal drums. No steaks or spots. Keep in mind though,

this was 10 X 12 sheet film.

[terry_carraway]

The big thing is to get iopropyl alcohol, not rubbing alcool, or such.

These contain a bunch of stuff other than isopropyl alcohol and

water.

 

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There should be no residue from isopropyl alcohol and water.

 

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But why bother, just flick the film like a whip to get the excess

water off, then hang to dry. I do use a final rinse of distilled

water, then a quick dunk in distilled water and Photo Flo.