P.S. RE: fixing salt prints

P.S. When coating, I use a dropper to pull-out solution for each print to avoid contaminating my stock solution. :-) JT

--
Judy Rowe Taylor
Mukilteo, WA
Art is a voice of the heart, a song of the soul.
www.enduringibis.com
jude.taylor@comcast.net or judyrowetaylor@enduringibis.com
> Judy,
> 
> The silver nitrate solution should last indefinitely - literally years.  Its
> life *could* be shortened if contaminated with organic matter picked up from
> the paper, as could happen if you're repeatedly dipping your brush into it
> (as opposed to decanting what you need for each print).
> 
> The staining may not be insufficient fixing.  With some water supplies,
> general light grey-brown staining appears in the wash.  My theory is that
> it's to do with dissolved oxygen, but I have no definite proof!  Anyway, the
> remedy is to give the first rinse (before fixing) in distilled/deionised
> water, or boiled and cooled water.  Not a large volume needed (a mugful per
> rinse per 8X10), but preferably give two or three rinses in this "safe"
> water before a minute or so under the tap, then fix.  Should help if your
> trouble is related to problems I've had here.  (Also, cutting down the final
> wash - if it's unnecessarily long - might help.)
> 
> 
> 
> Liam
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: jude.taylor@comcast.net [mailto:jude.taylor@comcast.net]
> Sent: 15 October 2005 16:04
> To: alt-photo-process-l@sask.usask.ca
> Subject: fixing salt prints
> 
> 
> Anyone out there tried regular Kodak fixer (with its assorted chemical mix)
> for fixing salt prints?  All the recipes I have found call for plain sodium
> thiosulfate (a.k.a. hypo) either 10% with 2% sodium bicarb (Wynn White,
> James) or 5% Na thiosulfate wtih a bit of Na carbonate (Webb and Reed).
> 
> Also, I have on hand Hustler Rapid Clear; directions say to used diluted 4
> oz (120 ml) per gallon water.  Should this be adequate to clear salt prints?
> 
> I have tried a couple of prints and they do not seem to have cleared
> adequately.  Or maybe I used the Kodak fixer too dilute and not long enough
> (2:1 stock fixer: water; two baths for 2 minutes....minimal fading so maybe
> it is not strong enough or long enough on the fixing?)  A masked border
> around the print that was paper white last night is light gray this morning
> in the dry prints! Sigh!
> 
> About how long will the silver nitrate sensitizer remain"usable" stored in
> an amber bottle in the dark (2 or 3 days, a week?) as there is no way I am
> likely to use up a full recipe in an initial printing attempt (I did make up
> a smaller batch and may do 1/4 recipe next time until I get it right!).
> 
> Thanks!
> Judy
> 
> --
> Judy Rowe Taylor
> Mukilteo, WA
> Art is a voice of the heart, a song of the soul.
> www.enduringibis.com
> jude.taylor@comcast.net or judyrowetaylor@enduringibis.com
>