Can I use my Ilford Washaid solution twice: To eliminate the acid in the fiber base after fixing in Hypam and when all prints are archivaly washed once again after treatment in selenium or sulfidetoners? I wonder if the ammoniumthiosulfat in the washaid solution is affecting the print negatively in any way after the toning procedure? Regards Sascha

-- Milkereit,Sascha (fr7c101@zrvi.jura1.uni-hamburg.de), February 26, 1998

Answers

I am not sure I have the answers you are looking for, so instead I thought I would tell you the procedures that are most commonly used. First the best way to deal with acid from the fix is to use a 2 bath procedure where the second fixing bath uses no hardening acid, I personally do not use hardeners in either fix baths. Then go directly to your toner bath, it is common to dilute the toner with hypo clear instead of water or some people use a solution of toner and sodium metaborate, whichever you prefer. Next is your hypo clear bath and then rinse the print under running water, this is the best way to get the chemicals off the paper. Last is the wash, 30 minutes minimum and I like an hour and a half just for piece of mind it also depends on how well your washer works. Hope this helps.

-- Jeff White (zonie@computer-concepts.com), February 28, 1998.

Thank you Mr. White for the quick response on my question. Your answer is compareable to the Kodak recomondations how to use their selentoner. But as a disadvantage to the USA, Kodak does not sell their selentoner in Germany any more. And according to other manufactures someone should rinse the prints in running water at least for 10 minutes before toning, an instead of delutiong the toner with washaid they prefer to delute only with water. So my precedure is that, especially when I tone mith sulfure, I wash prints to archival standart before toning. And herefore I use washaid witch I would like to use a second time after toning. But I still do not know, if the ammoniumthiosulfat is affacting the print negatively (e.g. stains). Regards Sascha

-- Sascha Milkereit (fr7c101@zrvi.jura1.uni-hamburg.de), March 06, 1998.

Response to Toning and Hypo Clear

Sascha, there is no need to wash prints for 10 minutes prior to toning. Inadequately fixed prints may stain, particularly if prints were bleached without a second fixing treatment. Also, some papers (Elite) may stain when toned with a Selenium/H20 mix. I have toned with Selenium/H20 followed by 5 minutes in Hypo Clear, although I get more consistent results with a Selenium/Clear mix followed by 2 minutes in Hypo Clear. In both cases however, I use a Hypo (sodium thiosulfate) fix, rather than Ammonium Thiosulfate. By switching your fix I think you will find your prints easier to tone, and if you use a non-hardening fix, easier to spot. -Good Luck.

-- Doug McSpadden (mcspadden@mcn.net), March 06, 1998.