8mm Forum: Cleaning film on plastic reels

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Topic: Cleaning film on plastic reels

John Vice
Junior
Posts: 21
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Sep 2016

posted September 16, 2016 03:25 PM

Hey all,

Long time listener, first time caller. I'm getting ready to do a fairly sizable archival project of old 8mm home movies. I have my Retro Universal on order. Until it gets here, I thought it would be a good idea to get a head start on cleaning all the old films. They're all on plastic reels. My question is, how long do I need to leave the film on the metal take-up reel, before I can rewind? I'll probably be using a slow-drying solution like Filmrenew and applying by hand with PEC-PADs.

Thanks,
John

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Bryan Chernick
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 654
From: Bothell, WA, USA
Registered: Mar 2010

posted September 16, 2016 04:22 PM

I would let them sit for about 24 hours in a well ventilated area before winding them back onto plastic reels. When I clean my film with FilmRenew I do it outside in my carport and place the film in a cupboard out there at least overnight before taking them in the house. You don't want to expose everyone inside with the fumes that will evaporate off the film.

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

Posts: 5895
From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted September 17, 2016 10:05 AM

Are the fumes from Filmrenew dangerous to health?

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Maurice

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John Vice
Junior
Posts: 21
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Sep 2016

posted September 17, 2016 10:08 AM

Good question. Are they hazardous, or just malodorous?

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Bryan Chernick
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 654
From: Bothell, WA, USA
Registered: Mar 2010

posted September 17, 2016 04:31 PM

I'm not sure what is in FilmRenew but if it's releasing fumes into the air while it's drying then you probably should avoid breathing it. Urbanski gives instructions for drying the film quicker by wiping the film with a dry cloth but you should make sure you are turning the cloth enough to make sure it is getting it dry. I would do a test if you are concerned about damaging plastic reels.

quote:
Once the Filmrenew has been applied and is wound on the steel take-up, allow it to dry. Filmrenew has a long drying period, depending on your climate (usually a couple days). Once dry, rewind back to the original reel. Do not put the film in a can until completely dry.
If necessary, the drying process can be speeded up. You can immediately rewind back onto the original (steel) reel while buffing off excess Filmrenew with a dry cotton cloth.
If your films are on plastic reels use steel reels for the cleaning process. When the Filmrenew is dry, wind back on the plastic reels.

FilmRenew Instructions

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Will Trenfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 506
From: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK
Registered: Mar 2016

posted September 17, 2016 05:29 PM

I'm struggling to get my head around this. It seems that film treated with FilmRenew should be wound onto steel reels and then allowed to dry before being re-wound back onto the plastic reels. Why?

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Michael Lattavo
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 160
From: Canton, OH, USA
Registered: May 2014

posted September 17, 2016 05:52 PM

Because the chemical can discolor plastic. Not particularly harmful, just use in a well ventilated area. When I use it I run a fan and wear plastic gloves - can find in a hardware store, box of 50 for a couple of bucks.

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John Vice
Junior
Posts: 21
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Sep 2016

posted September 17, 2016 06:26 PM

Is there any other reason than discoloration? I was wondering if it did something more serious.

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Will Trenfield
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 506
From: Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK
Registered: Mar 2016

posted September 17, 2016 07:20 PM

If it can discolour plastic reels what might it do to the film?

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Michael Lattavo
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 160
From: Canton, OH, USA
Registered: May 2014

posted September 17, 2016 08:24 PM

It doesn't hurt the film, click the link Bryan provided and you can read further.

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