Well it finally happened. I am typically quite careful with using a can of air (not really air, but air is much easier to spell) usually squirting out about 1/4 of the can before I use it on anything of importance, but this one got me. As I was dusting off a negative the can puked out a stream of liquid, which leaves an interesting mess on a negative when dry. This was not on the emulsion side, so's I can't say if this works or not on that side. I slid the negative back onto a reel (120 film, I shoot 6x7, I cut them into two's) and in the tank it goes. Poured it full of DI water (distilled or RO should work fine) with just a splash of diluted photo-flo. Shook it for a minute and let it sit for 5 minutes. Hung to dry.

Came out fine - no marks that I can find. ...whew!

I should look into a small air compressor. Of course then I would have to plumb the darkroom, two or three places, and locate the compressor in another room so it doesn't interfere with listening to the music. Heck, I'll just keep using the can.

My thoughts on this - which could be totally wrong - is that it's a bad idea to squirt out 1/4 of the can before use.

If you do this just before using it, you will have lowered the temperature in the can so much that the contents has a far greater likelyhood of coming out as liquid!

I use my can with two or three short "puffs" - not blasts - on each side of the negative and carrier. I have never had anything liquid come out - at least not since I stopped "blasting" in seconds-long blasts!

I use it in a similar way to Ole - a quick half-blast on the back of my hand to make sure the spray is dry, and then a blast or two on the neg.

Have to say though, that doesn't stop me blowing on stuff; I just can't help it. Negs, prints, glass - you name it, I blow on it, and cover it in a spray of spit. I guess I'm a living example of where natural selection has been diluted. If I was one of two humans on earth a gazilliion years ago, the world would now be ruled by insects. I just don't learn. (Is that a bit of fluff on the monitor?)

Doh. Told you.

Geoff

My experience with this stuff is that if you hold the can at the wrong angle then the liquid will squirt out. I always try to hold the can upright. When done that way, I've had no problems.

Are you using every day electronics canned air or Dust Off Plus?
The best "air" is Dust off Plus with the 360deg. vector valve. That cheap stuff with the built in nozzle is famous for that and that's why cameramen/women in the movie business don't use it.

When I waste some to lower the fluid level, I do it when I am not printing. That way it warms up before I use it. I am pretty careful about holding the can upright. The last couple of cans I bought were from the local office warehouse store, maybe not the best choice. First time I have ever had this happen though. I guess I should spring for some of the "good stuff". Never did like spit on my negs.

I use a squeeze bulb type air blower and a Staticmaster brush. Usually works well for me.

I normally just lick mine.

Sorry I was thinking of another splotch.

I normally just lick mine.

LOL David!!

Keep an eyeout on Ebay for a compressor. I found a used Leedal compressor for about $45. It does not use a reserve tank. You just plug it in and it blows air. Does not use oil. It is noisy but only for the brief time you are using it. It is about the size of a Jobo 3010 tank.

I've always wanted to go with a small tank of compressed nitrogen. Clean and relatively safe as long as you know how to respect compressed gasses.
Did I mention cheap? Quiet? Moisture/Oil/Particle free. Ah well end rant.

The nitrogen tank is good for a storage as well. Let's say you are a film or paper hoarder like some people I know (not that I have pan-x in the freezer). Blasting out a freezer hotseal bag with the contents you are storing in it prior to sealing drives out moisture and prevents crystals from forming inside. Three cheers, especially when defrosting.