Re: sizing paper

rdalrymple (dalrymple@hidesert.com)
Wed, 25 Sep 1996 05:34:33 -0700

Judy Seigel wrote:
>
>
> When you say "staining" you mean the paper itself is staining, or the
> pigment stains the paper when you expose & develop?
>
> Also, is it a dichromate stain or a pigment stain?
>
> What % and what kind gelatine are you using? Some gelatines tend to hold
> pigment. Are you keeping the gelatine quite hot so it doesn't get on too
> thick?
>
> Are you squeegeeing the paper, or squeezing it between a plastic rod
> and tray edge when taking it out so gelatine isn't too thick?
>
> How much formaldehyde in the gelatine?
>
> A lot of formaldehyde can also harden so much it outgasses & causes
> staining. Have you tried glyoxal?
>
> Judy________________________________________________________________________Judy,

Thank you for your help--and I did spend time lurking--I mean
looking--you know where. As you said--the problem is not a common one,
so it is obviously something I am doing.

I've been using Knox gelatin, 28 grams disolved in 1 quart of water.
After soaking for one minute, I squeegee the paper, dry, then resoak in
gelatin with 25 ml of formaldehyde. The stain contains the pigment used
and is usually in a "sunken" area of the print about 2-3 inches in
diameter.

Afraid to be too rough with the paper while wet, I am thinking now I am
not squeezing enough of the gelatin out of the paper before drying,
leaving too much gelatin in the paper and it is pooling.

I haven't tried glyoxal (I will), and I will also try using some
pharmaceutical grade gelatin. (I'll look you know where for ordering
these supplies--see I can learn.)

I appreciate you help. You jarred my thinking apparatus (not always in
working order) and got me out of the rut I have been in--repeating my
mistakes.

Marilyn