photobyalan.com Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 I am just about out of Photo-flo and noticed that the two main ingredients are distilled water and propylene glycol. I happen to have a large bottle of propylene glycol sitting around the house and, since I'm feeling thrifty, I was wondering if I could put it to good use by turning it into wetting agent. Does anyone know the formula to mix a reasonable facsimile of Photo-flo? (I tried searching the archives, Digitaltruth, and Google and had no luck). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 I don't think there's a single formula for just one kind of wetting agent. I noticed Edwal's stuff (LFN?) has isopropyl alcohol in it, presumably to aid in evaporation and perhaps as a preservative. I'd think any surfactant free of unessential stuff like perfumes, suitably diluted, would do the trick. I'm also guessing that a wetting agent would work better if it resisted foaming. After inspecting the effects of Photo-Flo and homebrewed wetting agents on film the most pernicious water marks are left by bubbles. Secondarily are marks forming around the perimeters of areas where surface tension has caused water to remain anywhere on the film rather than dripping straight down due to gravity - I'm sure there's a more technical term for this phenomenon. Whatever it is, Photo-Flo doesn't do a good job of resisting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard sibley Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 Slightly off topic, but just a word word to those thinking of using home made products or those other than specific photo products: Many will contain products that will leave marks on the negs. Im thinking mainly of washing up liquids which contain silicon i beleive to make your plates look nice and shiny. I find that distilled water on its won work well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott_walton2 Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 Personally I wouldn't. It is adding into an already problematic equation. Best to stick with LFN like suggested or second choice Photoflo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_waller Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 Wetting agents are concentrated detergents so something like a laboratory glasswear cleaner should do the trick. There used to be one called Decon Dalo, I seem to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_sampson Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 Photo-flo and its equivalents are cheap, and you can re-use it, making it incredibly cheap. I can't see wasting time and energy to save ten cents with something "almost as good" except in an emergency. I will admit to having used vinegar for stop bath, when in need- effective but stinky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photobyalan.com Posted January 22, 2003 Author Share Posted January 22, 2003 Plenty of speculation and even some finger-wagging, but not a single actual answer to the question. Let me make this perfectly clear. I already have the propylene glycol and I know that it's an ingredient in Photo-flo. I'm not looking to make a cheap substitute for wetting agent nor am I planning on putting a laboratory glassware cleaner on my negatives! I just want to put the propylene glycol to some use rather than letting it sit on the shelf or pouring it down the drain. I'm not trying to save a few pennies, I'm just trying to be a little less wasteful. Now, does anyone have the recipe or should I just dump the bottle of propylene glycol down the drain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptucci Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 Wow! Say what you mean, Alan! Don't beat around the bush so much. Go for it. Let us know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 I'm about to run out of Photo Flo, too. After all I bought the bottle sometime in the 50s or 60s. Can't last forever, you know. Maybe another 10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vatovec Posted January 23, 2003 Share Posted January 23, 2003 I use whatever detergent is in the house and never had problems - see for yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorge_oliveira2 Posted May 13, 2003 Share Posted May 13, 2003 Baby shampoo without perfume. Very soft and neutral detergent (try it on your eyes - I mean it). Jorge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene crumpler Posted May 18, 2003 Share Posted May 18, 2003 A final 30-60 second rinse in distilled water is the ultimate finish before drying. I don't use photoflo any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kymtman Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 On B&W film I used one part white vinegar-15 parts distilled water with good results. This is the same recipe that I use to clean window glass with out streaking, figured if it worked on glass why not film. May not work for you , try on some old negatives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kymtman Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 Don't throw away your propylene glycol, you can use it to de-ice your windshield this winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hans_beckert Posted November 17, 2003 Share Posted November 17, 2003 I would advise using photo-product wetting agent such as Photo-flo. It's cheap and easily available. Don't improvise just for the sake of improvising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discpad Posted February 15, 2004 Share Posted February 15, 2004 I have the exact same issue: A half-filled 5 gallon can of propylene glycol in my basement. You can just pour it into your radiator, since it's used in the Peak brand. Also, anhydrous (straight up) PG was used by Chevy for a short while c. 1985 as a high temp antifreeze, since there was no water to bubble as the temps climbed over 300F Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_appleyard Posted February 15, 2004 Share Posted February 15, 2004 I've used Ivory hand soap as a Photo-Flo sub IN A PINCH and it worked. Perhaps you can mix it with your PG (how much of each?????) and give it a go, but I agree with others, don't mess with something as cheap and important as wetting agent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neto_macedo Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 <p>Well, the problem is: I live in Brazil and it is veeery hard to get these stuff here. I am obliged to improvise over here.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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