Does anyone currently add Everclear to their plt/pld sensitizer solution?

I've read somewhere online reccomendations of about 3 drops per ml of
sensitizer (metal+ferric).

Yes, I've been doing this for several years. I don't consider it a necessity, but a nice tweak. The exact amount isn't that critical, but I use about the amount you stated. The everclear lowers the viscosity/surface tension of the solution a bit and helps minimize brush marks and other irregularities. I find that it has very little effect on how quickly the solution is absorbed into the paper.

What do you know. There's another use for everclear.

What do you know. There's another use for everclear.I brought home a gallon of the stuff from Montana last year, which is almost gone. I use quite a bit of it in the collodion process. That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

I don't do this, as I have had problems with uneven paper absorbtion with the addition of the alcohol. I think it may be somewhat dependant on humidity and paper choice.

Basically, I haven't found it necessary or beneficial to my working methods, and I don't believe there is any reason to complicate the process with a chemical if it is unnecessary to the process.

---Michael

Kerek, what did it cost you in Montana?

Robert - I don't remember exactly. I think it was about $35 per 1/2 gallon bottle.

That price is correct.

-R

Thanks, I was wondering how much the State was tacking on here in Utah.

What do you know. There's another use for everclear.

You mean besides cleaning telescope mirrors? :-)

John