8mm Forum: Edwals Film Cleaner - Safe for magnetic sound film?

This is topic Edwals Film Cleaner - Safe for magnetic sound film? in forum 8mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004984

Posted by John Pechulis (Member # 620) on November 14, 2009, 06:56 PM:

Hi all. I was wondering if it is safe to use a cleaner like Edwal's Anti-Stat film cleaner to clean Super 8 magnetic sound film.

I surely don't want to destroy the sound track by cleaning the film and I wouldn't clean it, but the film is a little dirty. Anyone have any input, it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

John

Posted by Jose Artiles (Member # 471) on November 15, 2009, 09:42 PM:

Hi John!
Yes,its safe to use edwall,but be very carefull to apply a very little amount of it,if do put too much then will be dangerous for the sound stripe,maybe you notice a little bit of brown dirt when you start cleaning the film thats normal and you dont have to worry for it because sometimes the sound stripe is very dirty too and have tendency to stay on the cleaning pad,just be VERY VERY carefull and use the cleaner in a very well ventilated area because the chemicals that edwall has are a little dangerous for your health if you use it without ventilation and please if you have a chance use the cleaner with a good pair of cotton gloves to protect your skin from chemicals.A better product to clean ,lube and quit the lines and scrachts of your precious film is FILMGUARD,give it a chance if you have the oportunity and you´ll be deligthfull,we use it here in spain on our national film library and i can tell you that the product make wonders on films from 1918 when i have to make new internegatives to preserve the films...its a wonderful product that give you a real "wet gate" projection giving to the film a new looking no matter how old the film are.

Posted by John Pechulis (Member # 620) on November 15, 2009, 10:00 PM:

quote:
A better product to clean ,lube and quit the lines and scrachts of your precious film is FILMGUARD,give it a chance if you have the oportunity and you´ll be deligthfull...

Thanks for the reply. I have Edwal's, Filmrenew and Filmguard here. What I don't like about Filmrenew and Filmguard is that they don't evaporate quickly and tend to attract dirt, dust and hairs. Filmguard seems to be the worst as it never seems to dry and I constantly need to stop the machine and clean the gate of hair and debris.

I will take your advice and apply Edwal's sparingly. I normally do anyway, but I will be extra careful with these magnetic sound films.

Thanks again, really appreciate the advice.

John

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on November 16, 2009, 12:05 PM:

John, you are putting WAY WAY WAY too much FilmGuard on your print if you are having that problem. It also sounds like you are not running it through a media-based film cleaning machine or through cloths by hand on the rewind bench.

The first pass is application only. There will not be any dirt removal to speak of. The second and subsequent passes will start pulling the dirt off.

One ounce is enough to clean 16,000 feet of 35mm width film. Time for some math.

Posted by John Pechulis (Member # 620) on November 16, 2009, 12:23 PM:

quote:
John, you are putting WAY WAY WAY too much FilmGuard on your print if you are having that problem. It also sounds like you are not running it through a media-based film cleaning machine or through cloths by hand on the rewind bench.

It very well could be applying too much Filmguard Brad. I really don't know how much should be applied to the cleaning pad.

As far as my method, materials and equipment for cleaning, I use precut cleaning cloths from Moment Catcher Productions. I have a pair of Craig rewinds mounted to a desk. I apply cleaner to a cloth, fold it over the film and apply light pressure while winding the film. Once the film is wound, I use a dry cloth on the second pass when rewinding the film through the rewinds.

I do not have access to a cleaning machine (eg. ECCO or otherwise), so the cleaning is done by hand. These machines rarely come up on the online auction site and when they do, they either go beyond my price range or I get sniped at the last second.

I will experiment again with Filmguard when I have some time. Right now, I have a little over 55,000 feet of film to transfer and I'm a one man show. I have a deadline to meet with much of the footage.

JP

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2