Dust in the darkroom!

[darinwc]

Thank you I think I have some ideas.

I am going to look for a room filter/air cleaning system. I wont leave it on 24/7 but I can uncover the equipment and let it run the day before I print. I can replace the bags I use to cover everything.

[JBrunner]

Suggestion: Get a HEPA room filter (Honeywell or Kenmore - I have both) and leave it running in the darkroom on low 24/7 - it works.

This is what I have, but I run it on a plug in timer, and it runs at night. Works well.

[Anscojohn]

[QUOTE=darinwc;769992]I keep my enlargers covered in plastic so they wont collect dust.. but then when I remove the plastic the dust goes everywhere!

The plastic gets a static charge so it collects dust. Use something else. Make sure your enlarger is grounded. If a three prong plug, check the circuit to make sure the receptacle actually IS grounded. If not, fix it; or take a wire from a metal part of the enlarger to a pipe--preferably cold water pipe. As stated, vacuum everything. And wipe regularly with a damp cloth. You might need to get some filtered air blowing INTO to darkroom to create a positive pressure to keep the dust out.
Use an anti-static brush or cloth on your negs.

[Ronald Moravec]

Plastic will work, but a laundry bag is better. A bag is about the easiest sewing project there is. Seal with a spring clothes pin

A sealed clean darkroom with water and air filters and glass storage bottles will go 99% of the way to not having to spot prints. Never reuse film chemicals.

[darinwc]

"A sealed clean darkroom..."

Unfortunately my darkroom is my garage and it shares all the other junk.

[dancqu]

I keep my enlargers covered in plastic so they wont collect dust..
but then when I remove the plastic the dust goes everywhere!
Any advice?

My take: as long as the negative and paper when ready to print
are clean I'm OK. I do a general clean up perhaps at 3 or 4 month
intervals along with some little disturbing of the dust in between
letting it settle other than on work surfaces.

I keep a bath towel over the enlarger. The towel is gently
lifted off when ready to work. The fabric will hold the
dust better than plastic. Dan

[Martin Aislabie]

I damp/wet dust my darkroom at least an hour before I start printing

Make sure the cloth or paper towl you are using is really damp - that way the dust sticks to the duster and is not launched into the air

Of course its not 100% effective but it is pretty good.

Martin

[darinwc]

Well I finally made it into the darkroom last night. I uncovered everything and wiped down all surfaces with a towel.
i dont have an air filter yet, but i gave the room a few hours to settle.

I also have some sort of industrial ionizing fan.. not sure how well it works but it doesnt hurt.

I printed some 4x5's and I didnt seem to have any problems with dust.

[jeroldharter]

Other thoughts:

• Humidity helps. Fill up your print washer, open trays, etc.
• If you use a wall mounted vacuum, vent the unit outside the house, or at least into an adjacent room so that any dust not trapped by the filters is removed from the area.
• Used compressed air to blow dust out of the enlarger bellows.
• Don't have any carpet or rugs in the darkroom.
• Be careful about your towels which are really big wads of aggregated dust. I prefer flour sack towels.
• Be careful about your clothes. Some can generate static and attract dust. Don't wear a terry cloth leisure suit.
• Exposed wood beams on the ceiling can be a problem. Seal up the ceiling if necessary.
• Don't use kleenex, paper towels, toilet paper, or any other similar product in the darkroom.

[Kilgallb]

I solved a lot of issues by:

Don't put the garbage can inside the darkroom. Store refuse in a temporary pail as you work and dispose of immediately after you finish the printing session.

When loading film, use an antistatic mat like used in electronics labs. Take a drink of water before you open the film box. Wear a hair net.