curious about how the C-41 process works

[nathan96]

The spirals are washed not the film (spirals are unloaded)

If that's what you mean?

[postalman]

Ahhh. That makes sense now.

[polyglot]

Yes, you wash the stab off the spirals to prevent pollution of later runs, but you do not wash the film after stabiliser. I've updated it to make it a little clearer.