From: Joachim Oppenheimer (joachim@microdsi.net)
Date: 03/31/03-09:51:52 PM Z
I will never forget the near-paranoia at RIT about clean trays. It was an
orthodox religious ritual to scrub them so thoroughly that they probably
became contaminated by the cleaning. I will grant that cleanliness is
important, but organization much more so. Plastic trays retains chemicals
and it is wise to dedicate these trays to specific functions. It is
surprising how much gunk can be salvaged from plastic trays. My trays are
all labeled. For utmost in cleanliness consider glass or enamel, and that is
all I use for alternative processes. I also use only metal tongs, also
dedicated; expensive, but they will last well past my estate plans. Of
course, gloves obviate the need for tongs in most situations and when
working in alternative processes it is best to avoid tongs altogether. For
screens, I roll out three-foot wide plastic screening and hose that down
with a garden hose after a session. But most darkroom contamination come
from contacts we rarely consider, including our clothes, but especially the
outside of storage bottles and containers. By the way, I rinse the exterior
of all my chemistry bottles with plain water after a session. Most of the
time reasonable care and rinsing are all you need in the darkroom. Joachim
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eric Neilsen [mailto:e.neilsen@worldnet.att.net]
> Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 10:10 PM
> To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
> Subject: RE: OT: Cleaning up in the darkroom
>
>
> Bob, There are many things that you CAN do. Which tray would you like
> to use? Your best bet would be the stop tray scrubbed well with baking
> soda and rinsed very well. This always worked for me until I could
> afford all the trays I needed; now have well over 25. Trays are not that
> expensive. Do yourself the favor, and buy at least one that is used
> only for platinum and such.
>
> Fixer is to be avoided at all cost around your platinum prints. You may
> also think about separate screens if you dry that way.
>
> Eric Neilsen Photography
> 4101 Commerce Street
> Suite 9
> Dallas, TX 75226
> http://e.neilsen.home.att.net
> http://ericneilsenphotography.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: FOTAR2@aol.com [mailto:FOTAR2@aol.com]
> Sent: Monday, March 31, 2003 5:21 PM
> To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
> Subject: Re: OT: Cleaning up in the darkroom
>
> This thread prompts me to ask if anyone knows what really constitutes
> contamination of trays. I have some 16x20 trays that I want to use for
> Pd
> prints. They have also been used very minimally for some RC Silver
> prints,
> but they still look pristine. Is there a cleaning procedure that is
> reliable?
> Everything I've come across regarding this subject has been draconic but
> not
> too informative, as in DON'T, DON'T, DON'T.
>
> I guess I can reserve these for Kallitype, but I've even seen some
> cautions
> about that. Any references out there? I could use some hard facts.
>
> Bob
>
>
>
>
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