8mm Forum: How often should I clean my films?

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Posted by Chad Shumaker (Member # 2384) on May 04, 2015, 08:14 PM:

Hello once again,

Been back in the hobby now for about four years. It's been fun collecting and learning.

Two years ago I gave every film in my collection a FilmRenew cleaning. Stuff was easy to use and got good results. I don't watch my films constantly, so I'm wondering- how often should I do a serious cleaning like this?

I know cleaning also provides lubrication and prevents mildew/mold, but is there such a thing as overdoing it?

Also- I have several self edited reels- Star Wars put in proper order, Superman 3 reeler with additional footage from the one reel version, etc. and I know cleaner can loosen splices. Any suggestions?

Posted by Adrian Winchester (Member # 248) on May 04, 2015, 09:33 PM:

Some may well disagree but I'd say very rarely. Although I - like many collectors have - occasionally obtained a 16mm film that has needed thorough cleaning, I can honestly say that I've NEVER noticed a film I've owned that has either been new or clean when I've obtained it - or I've cleaned myself - subsequently show signs of dirt. Why should it - it's not as if it's likely to be making contact with rollers, etc, in the film path that will transfer anything other than a few specks of dust to the film. And it's only off a reel and exposed to the atmosphere for a few seconds.

So unless you have an accident and a film is unspooled all over the floor, I'd say why bother, unless you show a film exceptionally often and you're convinced a clean is needed. Lubrication is a different matter, though. If a film becomes noisy or unsteady going through the gate, it obviously needs lubrication even if it doesn't need cleaning.

Posted by Brian Fretwell (Member # 4302) on May 05, 2015, 04:12 AM:

I would also add that if the film is not too loosely wound there should be no change of dust etc getting in or scratching by coil tightening as the film feeds into the projector. I normally put a little tension on the film whilst rewinding to prevent this.

Posted by Steve Carter (Member # 4821) on May 05, 2015, 07:43 AM:

I am experimenting with a silicone/wax mixture for lubrication, when my projector is up and running (still waiting for part) I will be able to get more information, I hope there is no slip on capstan pinch roller, I used to get this problem with the old Thermofilm, if I over done the application, wow and flutter.

Posted by Osi Osgood (Member # 424) on May 05, 2015, 01:58 PM:

two times to clean films (in my humble opinion)

1. When they are dirty. (well, that's obvious)
2. When the films have become aged or slightly brittle.

... not so obvious, as film, as it ages, can become brittle or at least, easier to break. Most film cleaning solutions not only clean the film, but also lubricate the film, which keeps films from getting too dry and then snapping or breaking on you.

Posted by Chad Shumaker (Member # 2384) on May 06, 2015, 10:21 AM:

Thanks everyone for your info!

Looks like I've done OK then. I usually clean my films when I first get them and then it's just a matter of proper storage. Thanks a bunch!!

Posted by Tom Photiou (Member # 130) on May 06, 2015, 12:41 PM:

This is always an odd subject. Some people do clean there films each time they view them.
One thing I did learn from Bill Parsons was this,
In order for your projector to run smooth and stay like it,(apart from the obvious keep it serviced) was to ensure films are cleaned using a good cleaner as this also lubricates them as well in order to go through the projector smoothly. If you project a brand new film,(& I did recently)without cleaning it you may well experience awful wow and flutter & this was the case. This is also stress on the projector.
A quick coat of film guard later and it went through a second time as smooth as anything. I did this purposely to prove the point. [Wink]

How often we should do it also depends on how and where you store your movies.

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on May 06, 2015, 01:47 PM:

My latest shrunken, old and brittle acetate print simply would not run through my most precision machined projector until it had been well lubricated with filmguard.

A film when running through the machine will tell YOU when it requires cleaning/ lubricating. It's an easy decision to make [Smile]

Tom and Bill, are of course, absolutely bang on here and as for servicing your projector...

If you are the type of person that will notice a flat before you get in your car without exception, or if you will check your oil before changing it after 6 - 9 months.
If you never let your washer bottle run dry or your battery run flat... then chances are you will be routinely servicing your projector just fine, I would guess. [Smile]

A huge part of it really is down to what type of person you are and how much you care and value these items in your life, I find.

For anything else, just ask Bill! [Wink]

[ May 06, 2015, 07:21 PM: Message edited by: Andrew Woodcock ]

Posted by Michael De Angelis (Member # 91) on May 07, 2015, 12:20 PM:

All of these suggestions are excellent.

I am not a know-it-all, but this has been my experience and it's not an imposition on collectors.

I lubricate when noticing a soft unfocused bright glow, and this relaxes the film after using either Film Guard or Film Renew products.

When a film that appears dry and if it chatters during projection and I remove cleaner if it's over applied because it will be too jumpy.

Receiving prints for the first time, the previous owners may not have cleaned or lubricated their films, and this practice is beneficial for my prints and it there is less strain on the projector.

It depends upon using furniture polish, but I cannot predict the long term effects on film.

Some furniture polish may contain too much silicone, and this will cause a film to
chatter and become jumpy.

Excessive amounts of Film Guard will soften splices and they will become milky in appearance.

I have metered the amount of Film Guard on the films by not over applying it with the sprayer.

My experience with Film Guard is by using a soft camel brush, and to paint a small amount onto a cleaning pad. Wrap the pad around the film and examine how the fluid is cleaning and coating. Wind between 12 to 24 turns and examine the tissue. and then reapply this onto another area of the tissue. When nearing the end of the reel, examine the film between 4 to 8 turns.

Wear gloves and have plenty of ventilation in the room.

This is a delicate subject, and hobbyists have their own opinions about film lubrication.

When the film is smooth on both sides and that your projector has been kept clean, it may not be necessary to lubricate again.

Experiment by trial and error and you will learn the methods that are satisfactory to you.

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