8mm Forum: Keeping The Film Moist

This is topic Keeping The Film Moist in forum 9.5mm Forum at 8mm Forum.

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Posted by Maurice Leakey (Member # 916) on April 19, 2016, 03:05 AM:

Found in a silver Pathex can a note in the bottom:-

"Pathescope 9.5 M.M. SUPER - Moisten this blotting paper with a mixture of one part pure glycerine to three parts of water. The film thus kept moist will retain its pliability and will certainly last much longer."

Above the blotting paper was a circular metal plate with large holes very similar to one side of a spool.

Never seen this before, although I do have some old cans in all gauges which have a perforated piece of metal in the bottom which I believe was to assist with applying a humidifying solution, presumably a piece of blotting paper was held beneath the plate and the holes assisted the fumes.

Have any members actually used such aids for longer lasting film life?

Posted by Andrew Woodcock (Member # 3260) on April 19, 2016, 03:13 AM:

It's a strange one is that Maurice?

Most film boxes like the Bonum range have desiccators in them to keep our films free from moisture. [Confused]

Posted by Terry Sills (Member # 3309) on April 19, 2016, 01:29 PM:

Yes I've got a can like that, but without the instructions. Perhaps this treatment would prevent film turning brittle which leads to sprocket perforation cracking. As the perforations are in the middle of the film it makes projection difficult due to the frequent breakage of film, especially on projectors like the Gem or Son where there are tight turns on the film path.

Posted by Ken Finch (Member # 2768) on April 22, 2016, 09:48 AM:

Yes Maurice, Quite a lot of the older pre war film cans had these.
They were intended for adding a few drops of "Humidifier" The solution was sold by Johnsons of Hendon. It smelled strongly of camphor oil. Rather like the those things people used to put in ther clothes draws to keep the moths away!! Ken Finch.

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