[alt-photo] Re: Question for Platinum/Palladium printers

[etienne garbaux]

Loris wrote:

>Bob I don't know about the image, but I'm sure that HCl is a little
>bir too harsh to the paper (in the long term), and should be used as a
>last resort - if everthing else fails or is (somehow) impractical...
>BTW, I agree with the fact HCl is the most practical clearing agent.

I have heard this rumor about HCl being "too harsh" for paper over 
and over, but I use HCl all the time -- and for multiple things -- 
and have never had any problems.  I pre-wash all paper for Pt prints 
in significantly stronger HCl -- 3.5% -- to acidify it for the iron 
and to dissolve any flecks of metal left after the paper was 
calendered at the mill (this is necessary to prevent the dreaded 
spots with some papers).  (I then rinse it very well, so the pH is 
only the teeniest bit below 7 when I coat it.)  And, of course, each 
print is cleared again in HCl.  As I mentioned, I neutralize the acid 
and leave the print slightly alkaline at the end of the process.

I have found that some papers need different sizing treatments, but 
(i) I cannot say that this is due to using HCl either before coating 
or to clear; (ii) every worker finds it necessary to adjust sizing 
for different papers, even if they do not use HCl; and (iii) I almost 
never find a paper that can't be made to work well by testing 
different sizings.

So, in my view, if someone is breaking down their paper using HCl. 
they are doing something wrong (most likely, leaving acid in the 
paper at the end of processing).  Once again, my view appears to be 
supported by the many antique Pt prints I have, none of which appears 
to have any perceptible breakdown of the paper surface or 
structure.  (I do have a few hand-colored prints on which the 
mechanical abrasion of the coloring process raised the surface nap.)

Best regards,

etienne