Problem sheet film

[Drew B.]

I've been scanning in old (50's and 60's) 4x5 film for a local historical society but have found a stack (about 25 negs) that is stuck together w/paper dividers. Is there any special solution I can soak them in to free them from their binded mess??

[Mainecoonmaniac]

You probably could soak it in Photo flo and they'll separate. Don't pull them a part. or else you could pull the emulsion off the film base.

[George Collier]

Good question for the Photo Engineer.

[Ian Grant]

Back in the early 70's I did some work for a Museum, their archives were in the basement which flooded every few years, so some negative s and prints had got damp and stuck together.

They had to be soaked then carefully separated, we added some formaldehyde to some dilute wetting agent, that helps harden the emulsion and lessens the risk of damage. I did the same with some of my grandmothers photographs which were damp, and mouldy, before carefully cleaning them.

The hardener is important as it may take some time for the water to permeate through and the emulsion may be soft when wet.

Ian

[juan]

I've tried plain water with negative results. The paper never fully released.
juan

[Drew B.]

Thanks for the thoughts...I'll give the hardener method a try.