Author
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Topic: Rejuvenate old films
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Joseph Randall
Master Film Handler
Posts: 437
From: Wyckoff, NJ, USA
Registered: Jun 2015
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posted June 28, 2015 05:09 PM
For the best answer, you should contact Larry Urbanski directly, who manufactures FilmRenew:
http://www.urbanskifilm.com/
Some quick answers -- soak and dry on a metal reel, not plastic. If you wipe it dry, you should be able to transfer it to plastic.
Depending on the problem you are trying to solve, soaking might not be necessary. The few times that I soaked, I used a metal reel soaking in a metal film container, closed. I don't remember how long I soaked it for, but it was at least a week. I kept it tightly wound on the reel the whole time, lying flat.
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Michael De Angelis
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1261
From: USA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted June 28, 2015 10:33 PM
Film Renew application
I do not soak the film because the sprocket holes are little windows that retain the cleaner fluid. The F.R. liquid should not remain wet on the film. Otherwise, it's difficult to remove and may spot the film.
I clean my films according to Larry Urbanski's suggestions that are on the attached link, but I use a good quality white Kleenex Tissue that does not have a fragrance or aloe softeners. After I complete this process, a soft velvet cloth is wrapped around to polish the film, and the film must dry out for a day or two before projection.
The only time that I kept the films minutely submerged with F.R is when removing a twist, warp or the beginning of vinegar smell.
Placing a small amount of F. R. on the bottom of the metal film can, the liquid is in contact with the edge of the film, and by capillary action it absorbed the Film Renew.
The warp was back wound, and it rejuvenated the film after two years. The film with the slight vinegar smell stopped in six months. In both applications, the film cover was closed to prevent evaporation and repeated applications are according to need.
Applying F.R. is not a guarantee to cure vinegar syndrome, and in my situation this process worked for me.
-------------------- Isn't it great that we can all communicate about this great hobby that we love!
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Joe Caruso
Film God
Posts: 4105
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted June 30, 2015 11:05 AM
Had 4 films with a slight odor, these are in cardboard boxes and plastic reels - First, I placed baking soda on the four corners of each box (Baking soda removes odors from the refrigerator, so why not experiment...), I then sprinkled the baking soda on the film itself (lightly), left them all exposed to a moderately cool temperature, turned the films over, sprinkled again, then after a week, the odor subsided, not entirely - Cleaned the films and boxes - Will further experiment using metal reels/cans, see how that goes - I have never had the VS in all my years of collecting, now 16mm is no different than our 8mm gauges, except in size - Depends on storage and temperature, like your LPs, comics or anything what have you - Anyway, my nickel on it, so far - Shorty
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Timothy Ramzyk
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 220
From: Milwaukee,WI,USA
Registered: Nov 2006
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posted June 30, 2015 12:27 PM
I pass film though folded cotton cloth wet but not drenched in solution on rewinds, wearing gloves. Old 100% cotton T-shirt material works well. I wouldn't use something with wood-fiber like paper-towels or klenex myself, because paper fibers tend to be abrasive and loose fibers, and don't hold and distribute solution as well. Some people also use 100% cotton cheese cloth. I only use white cloth both to see dirt and make sure the magnetic track is not being eroded.
I coat the film, and leave it tails out on reels just for cleaning, let the solution rest for a week or two, then reverse it back onto the original reel through a dry soft cotton cloth. This removes excess solution that could cause spotting on the film or discolor and cause the plastic reels to become brittle.
I hold the cloth with a light touch, if you're crimping and hear a squeak, you're squeezing too hard and could damage the film or lift the magnetic stripe. If I have to change the wetting or drying cloth in the middle of a reel, I back up a foot before I begin again, because there is usually debris being pushes along as you clean that you don't want left behind.
I then write the date I cleaned the film on a little piece of paper, and drop it in the can or box so I know when I last cleaned the film. [ June 30, 2015, 04:25 PM: Message edited by: Timothy Ramzyk ]
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